The brief answer is that a hot tub disconnect is a small breaker box that adds an additional layer of safety to your 220-V hot tub. It’s a secure electrical panel that allows your hot tub to be easily disconnected from the power supply. This means that you’re protected from electric shocks. A hot tub disconnect also has the advantage of drawing more electrical energy for quicker water heating, and allowing the user to run the hot tub jets on high as you heat the water, something you can’t do with a plug and play model. If you don’t yet own a hot tub, or you’re thinking about upgrading, don’t forget to check out our guides to the best hot tubs (opens in new tab) and the best swim spas (opens in new tab). Don’t forget that you should always hire a licensed and experienced technician to install your hot tub to ensure everything is properly and safely connected and wired up. Martin Smith, owner of Showers to You (opens in new tab), recommends doing your research when it comes to hot tub installations. “Before you purchase one, it’s better to familiarize yourself with the jargon. For example, do you choose a 110-volt or a 220-volt hot tub? What plugs do you need and how do you disconnect it if you need to? “The unit is a secure electrical hub and enables you to easily disconnect the tub from the power when you’re finished using it. It also provides safety from electric shocks when in or around the tub. “You’ll most likely have a 50-amp disconnect on your hot tub, but 60-amp disconnects are also available for larger tubs that require more capacity, or for tubs used in colder climates where more heat is needed. Check with your owner’s manual to see which one is needed.”
What is a hot tub disconnect?
A hot tub disconnect is an essential safety device that all owners of 220-volt hot tubs should prioritize. It is a small electrical box that sits near your hot tub, and it enables you to quickly cut the power to the hot tub if you need to in the event of danger or a faulty electrical connection. A hot tub disconnect will also have a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI), which automatically cuts the power connection in the event of a ground fault. The other perk of a hot tub disconnect is that using one heats up the hot tub water a lot faster, and that it allows you to run the hot tub jets on high as you heat the water, which is something you can’t do with a plug and play model. There are specific instructions to follow when installing a hot tub disconnect. For example, while it should be placed within view of the hot tub, it should be installed at least five feet away from the actual water, but no further than 50 feet away, which will protect the hot tub users from electric shock.
Why is a hot tub disconnect important?
If you own a 220-volt hot tub, a hot tub disconnect is essential to protect not just the electrical system from faults, but the user from error, electric shock or danger. Essentially, a hot tub disconnect provides safety from electric shock when the user is in or around the hot tub. It goes without saying that electricity and water can make a dangerous combination, so a hot tub disconnect adds an extra layer of protection by automatically turning off and preventing electric shock in the event of a fault, an emergency or a failure. Hot tub disconnects must be installed by a licensed specialist, as if they are not correctly wired up, this can lead to equipment failure, injury or even death. Discover more guides for the garden… Best riding lawn mower (opens in new tab) Best robot lawn mower (opens in new tab) Best chainsaws (opens in new tab) Best pool heaters (opens in new tab) Best swim spas (opens in new tab) Best water heaters (opens in new tab) Best patio heaters (opens in new tab)
