April 30, 2025
New bonding requirements around pools and spas
Effective May 1, 2025, the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) is implementing new bonding requirements around all pools and spas.
A number of significant amendments have been made to enhance safety by mitigating potential electrical hazards and providing clear, practical guidance for compliance with these latest standards.
Storable pools, spas and hot tubs require a copper ring consisting of a minimum No. 6 AWG bare copper conductor and constructed so that securement around the pool is made 450-600 mm from the outer contour of the pool shell at a depth of 100-150 mm below grade.
An amendment to Subrule 3) b) requires the construction of a copper grid made of No. 6 AWG bare copper conductor with suitable connections at all points, arranged in a 300x300 mm pattern and extending 1.5 m from the outside of the pool shell around the pool's circumference. The grid must be between 100-150 mm below grade.
Pool water must also be bonded via a corrosion-resistant conductive surface and located where it is not exposed to physical damage or dislodgment during normal pool use and be connected by a No. 6. Cu. bonding conductor.
The ESA recommends all pool installations to be designed and built to the 29th edition (2024) of the Ontario Electrical Safety Code (OESC), however, the ESA will continue to accept installations based on the 2021 OESC requirements up until
Oct. 1, 2025. Notifications issued on Oct. 1, or after, shall comply with the 2024 OESC requirements.
A list of frequently asked questions on the new requirements is available in the OESC Bulletin 68-7-16 issued May 2025.
ESA customer service is available to answer questions at 1-877-ESA-SAFE.
For links to the new requirements and latest Bulletins on the ESA website, or to purchase a copy of The Ontario Electrical Safety Code (OESC), please the the links listed below under Resources.
The Ontario Electrical Safety Code (OESC) is available fo purchase online.
BULLETIN 68-7-16
A number of significant amendments have been made to enhance safety by mitigating potential electrical hazards and providing clear, practical guidance for compliance with these latest standards.
Storable pools, spas and hot tubs require a copper ring consisting of a minimum No. 6 AWG bare copper conductor and constructed so that securement around the pool is made 450-600 mm from the outer contour of the pool shell at a depth of 100-150 mm below grade.
An amendment to Subrule 3) b) requires the construction of a copper grid made of No. 6 AWG bare copper conductor with suitable connections at all points, arranged in a 300x300 mm pattern and extending 1.5 m from the outside of the pool shell around the pool's circumference. The grid must be between 100-150 mm below grade.
Pool water must also be bonded via a corrosion-resistant conductive surface and located where it is not exposed to physical damage or dislodgment during normal pool use and be connected by a No. 6. Cu. bonding conductor.
The ESA recommends all pool installations to be designed and built to the 29th edition (2024) of the Ontario Electrical Safety Code (OESC), however, the ESA will continue to accept installations based on the 2021 OESC requirements up until
Oct. 1, 2025. Notifications issued on Oct. 1, or after, shall comply with the 2024 OESC requirements.
A list of frequently asked questions on the new requirements is available in the OESC Bulletin 68-7-16 issued May 2025.
ESA customer service is available to answer questions at 1-877-ESA-SAFE.
For links to the new requirements and latest Bulletins on the ESA website, or to purchase a copy of The Ontario Electrical Safety Code (OESC), please the the links listed below under Resources.
Resources:
The latest Bulletins are available on the ESA website.The Ontario Electrical Safety Code (OESC) is available fo purchase online.
BULLETIN 68-7-16