Inspecting swimming pool electrical systems as a home inspector is a visual/operational safety review of wiring, equipment, bonding, and GFCI protection, not a code-compliance certification or diagnostic evaluation.

Scope and safety first

  • Verify that pool/spa electrical inspection is included in your scope and agreement; otherwise treat it as an ancillary service with its own limitations and fee.
  • Make clear that you are performing a visual and non-invasive inspection and are not certifying NEC compliance or performing load calculations, insulation resistance testing, or underwater repairs.
  • If anything looks unsafe (exposed conductors, rusted panels, obvious DIY work, tingling reports), document the condition and recommend immediate evaluation by a licensed electrician or qualified pool contractor.

Key NEC concepts (inspector-level)

  • Article 680 of the NEC is the primary reference for swimming pools, spas, and similar installations; it addresses wiring methods, GFCI, bonding, grounding, and lighting in and around pools.
  • GFCI protection is broadly required for pool-related equipment and outlets; under recent editions, GFCI is expected on essentially all pool-related equipment within the pool environment (pumps, heaters, lights, controllers, branch circuits within the vicinity).
  • Grounding removes fault current safely to trip overcurrent devices, while bonding (equipotential bonding) ties all metal components and the water together to reduce voltage gradients around the pool.

Practical inspection steps at the site

  • Walk the pool area and equipment pad first and scan for overhead lines, low-clearance conductors, and any wiring that passes directly over the pool or within the restricted zone.
  • Identify and photograph all electrical equipment: pumps, filters (pumps’ motors), heaters, chlorinators, control panels/timers/automation, junction boxes, underwater lights, and any ancillary equipment such as booster pumps or water feature pumps.
  • Verify that equipment appears listed and suitable for wet/corrosive environments (pool-rated enclosures, covers intact, no obvious modifications).

GFCI protection and receptacles

  • Locate all receptacles that serve the pool area, including at the equipment pad and on nearby walls or posts, and note whether they are GFCI-protected via device or breaker.
  • Test GFCI devices with the test/reset buttons to confirm they trip and reset; if they fail to trip or won’t reset, note them as defective and recommend correction.
  • Expect at least one GFCI-protected receptacle in the equipment room or equipment area where service work is performed, per current arrangements in NEC Article 680.

Bonding and equipotential bonding

  • Look for the bonding grid or ring around permanently installed pools – usually a bare or insulated copper conductor encircling the pool and tied into the rebar, metal coping, or perimeter surfaces.
  • Confirm that metallic pool components are tied into the bonding system: pump and heater housings, metal piping, diving board or ladder anchors, pool shell steel (if visible at equipment penetrations), and any other metallic fittings within the pool area.
  • Bonding conductors are typically at least 8 AWG solid copper; missing, cut, loose, or obviously corroded bonding connections should be reported as safety defects and referred for repair.

Equipment, wiring methods, and disconnects

  • Inspect visible branch-circuit wiring to pumps, heaters, and controls: it should be in approved wiring methods for the location (typically conduit or cable rated for wet locations), properly supported, and protected from damage.
  • Verify that each major piece of equipment (pool pump, heater, heat pump, etc.) has an accessible disconnecting means within sight of the equipment, with covers intact and no obvious overheating or corrosion.
  • Check that conduit entries are sealed appropriately, fittings are tight, and there are no open knockouts or splices exposed to weather or splash.

Pool and deck lighting

  • For underwater lights, inspect the niche/light for cracks, loose lenses, damaged or missing gaskets, or evidence of water intrusion inside the fixture; damaged or obsolete lights are a significant safety concern.
  • Locate and inspect junction boxes or transformers that serve underwater lights to see that they are elevated, protected from direct splash, adequately supported, and in good condition (no rust-through, openings, or obvious water entry).
  • For deck and landscape lighting near the pool, confirm that fixtures are appropriate for damp/wet locations and that cables or low-voltage wiring are not tripping hazards or subject to mechanical damage.

Controls, automation, and auxiliary systems

  • Identify all control points: mechanical timers, digital automation panels, remote keypads, and app-based systems; verify that enclosures are intact, doors close, and there is no significant corrosion or water entry.
  • Check that low-voltage controls (thermostats, sensor wires, data cables) are separated from line-voltage conductors within panels per labeling and that nothing appears jury-rigged or spliced outside enclosures.
  • For salt systems, chemical controllers, or UV/ozone units, verify that power supplies and control boxes are mounted securely, wiring is in approved raceways, and bonding/grounding connections are present where required.

Reporting and typical defect language

  • Clearly distinguish between bonding and grounding in your narratives, and emphasize that a missing or compromised bonding system is a life-safety defect even if equipment appears to operate normally
  • Common reportable issues include: lack of GFCI protection at pool circuits, absent or questionable equipotential bonding, damaged or corroded panels and junction boxes, overhead conductors too close to water, and damaged underwater lights or conduits.
  • Use recommendations such as “have the pool electrical system evaluated and repaired/updated as needed by a licensed electrician familiar with NEC Article 680 requirements” rather than specifying exact code citations in the report body for clients.

If you tell me what format you want (e.g., Spectora section, stand‑alone checklist, or CE module outline), I can turn this into structured bullets or template language aligned with how you’re already handling pool controls and heating.