Above Ground Pool Bonding:
A Comprehensive Guide For 2027
The subject of pool bonding for above ground pools can be very dense and confusing. In the last few years, the rules have been constantly changing. The reasons, methods, and products required are not plainly described by the electrical code.
Many pool companies simply try to wash their hands of it, and pass on the responsibility to the customer, or the customer's electrician. Many bad actors will simply not mention to the customer that bonding is even required at all, let alone who is responsible. This can result in costly repairs and retrofits, not planned for in the client's original budget.
At NGPL Inc., we strive to offer the most comprehensive and transparent information to all of our clients, both present and future. We have reviewed all aspects of the new code requirements and consulted with electricians, ESA inspectors, and industry representatives to produce a concise, up to date guide on the exact bonding requirements for above ground pools installed in Ontario in 2027. We have also taken the initiative to directly register with the ESA as a pool bonding contractor, to ensure all of our above ground pool projects are inspected and permitted.
We offer bonding with permit and inspection with all of our new above ground pool installations for 2027. Shell bonding, equipment bonding, and water bonding are fully included in our prices lists already. Due to the nature of perimeter bonding requirements, each individual installation will its own unique installation procedure. As such, the cost of perimeter bonding is not included in our listed price for our pool installations. However, we offer industry leading pricing on perimeter bonding grid with installation, starting from $10 per linear foot. We can excavate and install the required length of perimeter grid while we are excavating the base for your pool. This allows us to offer this service at a fraction of what it would cost to pay a third party electrical contractor to install after pool installation has already been completed.
Follow our comprehensive guide below to see what is required to bond an above ground pool in Ontario in 2027.
What is Bonding?
Equipotential Bonding refers to keeping all conductible surfaces at the same electrical potential. This prevents shocks from occurring due to “outside” or “stray current”. If two different metal components of the pool (e.g., the pump and the pool shell) have differing electrical potentials, an electric shock can occur when they are touched. Stray current can arise from any near by power source that can electrify any component of the pool. This can come from nearby power lines, car chargers, or any faulty wiring near by. Bonding does not cause fault current to run to ground. That process is called grounding, and is different from bonding. Grounding will deal from fault current originating from the pool equipment, whereas equipotential bonding will deal with stray current from outside the pool system by giving all pool components the same electrical potential. Both bonding and grounding are important for the safety of your pool.
How is it different than grounding?
Grounding is completely different to bonding. Grounding connects the pool's electrical system to the earth. This will allow for fault currents to drain safely into the ground. Directing fault current into the earth will allow for the GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) or AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter) to trip. These are systems installed by a licensed electrician when running power for your pool's equipment, contained in the outlet and/or the breaker.
4 Requirements of Bonding
There are 4 components of bonding to consider when installing a new above ground pool. These are the: i) pool shell bond, ii) equipment bond, iii) water bond, and iv) perimeter bond (new).
i) Pool Shell Bonding
The pool shell constitutes the frame of your pool. This includes the wall, liner, uprights, top ledges, and/or buttresses. The shell is what contains the water held within the pool. Pool shells can be subdivided between i) conductive and ii) non-conductive. Resin above ground pools typically have a singular, “rolled" wall made of steel. Although the bottom track, top ledges, top plates, bottom and foot plates are made out of resin, the wall will still be made of steel or aluminum. This means the conductible structure of the pool is continuous, as the wall is one big piece that is connected. Therefore, the shell will have to be bonded in one location according to Rule 68-058 4b). Oval pools can have a ground rated bonding lug (pictured below) attached to the lower foot plate channel with a self tapping screws. Round pools can have a copper eyelet installed between the pool wall bolts that #6AWG wire can be crimped too, or by bolting a ground rated lug to a pool upright.
ii) Equipment Bonding
All metal pool components must be bonded together with #6 AWG copper wire to ensure they all have to same potential. This includes heaters, salt systems, and/or pumps where a lug is provided (pictured below). All equipment must be located more than 1.5m from the pool, and any GFCIs must be located at least 3m from the pool. The equipment must not be accessible for anyone inside the pool. Any metal objects within 1.5m of the pool (including metal fences, & metal gas pipes to be tied into the pools equipment bonding with #6 AWG. Equipment bonding is covered by rule 68-058 1).
iii) Water Bonding
For the purposes of the code, water is defined as the liquid medium contained by the pool shell. Water is highly conductible, so the bonding grid must make water contact using a code compliant device. For any vinyl pools, a water bonding surface with at least 58cm2 of surface area must attach to pool equipment with a 6 AWG copper wire. The bond must be in an area and installed in a way that it cannot be dislodged during use of the pool. Both skimmer bonding plates and spigot anodes are considered valid. Skimmer bonding plates are mounted inside the skimmer with an external lug that attaches to the rest of the bonding grid. Sacrificial anodes are inline plumbing devices (pictured below) that allow water to submerge a metal cartridge that attaches to the bonding lug. Sacrificial anodes must be CSA accredited for the purposes of bonding. Rule 68-058 8) cover water bonding.
iv) Pool Perimeter Bonding *new*
New pool bonding rules for 2027 will now require the pool perimeter “decking to be bonded. “Decking" is any surface around the pool, that can either be conductive or non conductive. This includes wood/composite decks, concrete slabs, pavers, natural or flag stone, decorative gravel, dirt, grass, turf, or mulch. All pools with conductible pool decks must have a copper grid with 300mm x 300mm squares installed 100-150mm below grade. Pre-fabricated grid must be at least #8 AWG (pictured below). Any pools with non-conductible pool decks will not be required to install a copper grid. If there is only a partial coverage of a non-conductible pool deck (e.g. wood decking is only installed halfway around the pool), the remaining conductible pool deck area must have a grid installed. If there is a feature of the pool that restricts access around the pool (retaining wall, fence, wall, etc.) the area of the pool that cannot be accessed does not require a grid. Non conductible deck surfaces made of wood or composite must be 13mm (1/2" thick, and rubber surfaces must be 27mm (1") thick. The perimeter bond must attach to the #6AWG bare copper wire that feeds the equipment and water bond using ground rated split bolts in at least one location. 68-058 4c) & 68-058 3b) cover the requirements of the perimeter bond.
Complete System
In short, by excavating and installing a copper grid around the perimeter of the pool, attaching a copper wire to the pool frame, which then attaches to the perimeter grid, the pool equipment, and then to a sacrificial anode (water), you will create a loop of copper that can create an equal potential across every aspect of the pool. In the event of any stray voltage coming into contact with any of the pool's components, the risk of shock is prevented due to all components having the same electrical potential. Any fault currents or electrical shorts originating from the pool's electrical filtration system will be grounded by the GFCI and AFCI in the receptacle and/or breaker.
Electrical Receptacles
No electrical receptacles are permitted within 1.5m (5ft) of the pool. The pool's electrical equipment must not be accessible to anyone who is inside the pool. Any electrical equipment located within 3m (10ft) of the pool must be installed with a GFCI. All electrical equipment must also be equipped with AFCI protection.
Overhead Wires
There is a minimum setback required for all overhead cables relative to both the water's edge of the pool, and the pool's electrical equipment (pump, filter, heater, etc.). If any nearby overhead wires carry voltages between 0-750V (standard residential service drops), the minimum setback will be 5m (16.4ft). If the voltage of the nearby overhead wire is greater than 751V (primary distribution lines), the minimum setback is 7.5m (24.6ft).
Underground Wires
Buried underground wires also have minimum setbacks from the water's edge of the pool. The electrical code lists setback for wires that are both directly buried, and those installed in a protected conduit.
Homeowners may be unaware of the presence of underground wires. Checking your properties survey from the time of purchase can help identify possible utility locations and/or easements. Having a professional locate performed by the Ontario Dig Authority (formerly "Call Before You Dig") can help flag any potential setbacks that need to be address with the location of the pool.
Any diligent pool installer should be filing a locate request prior to pool installation, as they are required to by law. If a potential client wishes to know ahead of time whether or not underground wires travel under their property, they can also file a locate request with the Ontario Dig Authority ahead of booking their pool.
Wires with a voltage between 0-750V have a minimum setback of 1.5m from the pool if direct buried, or 1m from the pool if buried in a conduit.
Wires with a voltage between 751V-15KV have a minimum setback of 3m from the pool if direct buried, or 1.5m from the pool if buried in a conduit.
Wires with a voltage between 15KV-28KV have a minimum setback of 4m from the pool if direct buried, or 2m from the pool if buried in a conduit.
Wires with a voltage between 27.6KV-44KV have a minimum setback of 5m from the pool if direct buried, or 2.5m from the pool if buried in a conduit.
