Bulletin
Equipotential bonding for pools
and spas
This information bulletin alerts swimming pool and spa installers and electrical contractors to the requirements
of Australian Standards concerning the installation of electrical equipment bonding earths on pool equipment
and in pool zones as per AS/NZS 3000:2007 Wiring Rules.
AS/NZS 3000:2007 Wiring Rules
Clauses 5.6.2.6 Swimming and spa pools and 6.3.3 Protection against electric shock
The following information refers to Clauses 5.6.2.6 Swimming and spa pools and 6.3.3 Protection against
electric shock.
Where electrical equipment is in contact with pool water, failure of electrical insulation may result in a
hazardous voltage appearing across or through the pool water. A very low voltage is sufficient to present
a serious hazard to persons immersed in the water.
Protective measures may include:

location of the electrical equipment at a distance from the pool with all plumbing connections being
made of non-conductive materials, or

metal grids or barriers inserted in any plumbing connections between the electrical equipment and pool
and connected to the equipotential bonding system, or

use of an RCD (Safety Switch) rated at 30 mA to protect circuits supplying Class I equipment.
(Equipment with earthed conductive parts, e.g. metallic pool pump motors.
Items that must be equipotentially bonded to earth
Regardless of the measures taken above the following items must be equipotentially bonded to earth:

The exposed conductive part of any electrical equipment in the classified pool zones.
(Refer to AS/NZS 3000 for the defined zones).

Any exposed conductive parts of electrical equipment that are not separated from live parts by double
insulation and that are in contact with the pool water, including water in the circulation or filtering
system (e.g. metallic pool pump motors).
Bonding shall be extended to further items
Where either of the items described above exist, the bonding shall be extended to the following
additional items:

Any fixed external conductive parts of the pool structure, including the reinforcing metal of the pool
shell and deck

Any conductive fittings within or attached to the pool structure, such as pool ladders and diving boards

Any fixed conductive material within arm’s reach of the pool edge, such as conductive fences,
lamp posts and pipe work.
The bonding conductor shall be terminated or connected by any of the means permitted in AS/NZS 3000.
In addition, where the connection may be subjected to the deteriorating effect of the pool water, it shall be
covered with, or encapsulated in, a suitable compound.
An equipotential bonding conductor shall be connected between the bonded parts and the earthing conductor
associated with each circuit supplying the pool or spa, or the earthing bar at the switchboard at which the
circuit originates.
Conductive tie-wires used during construction of reinforced concrete pools are considered to be an adequate
electrical bond between the conductive reinforcing components. Provided that the reinforcement is
satisfactorily electrically connected together, one point of connection of the bonding conductor to the
reinforcement is satisfactory where bonding is required.
Contact us
For further information please contact us on 1800 019 115, facsimile (08) 8999 5141, via email at
ntworksafe@nt.gov.au or go to the NT WorkSafe website at www.worksafe.nt.gov.au
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Equipotential bonding for pools and spas (V1.2 – 15 August 2012)