estop emergency stop buton - return to normal operation - spa - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: furmek
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 01, 2022, 04:46:20 am
content: I had a sparky install a estop button for my spa and I'm not sure if the installation is compliant with AS 2610.1 - Can't get a copy to check for myself.The way the button is installed:Single red estop button that stays pushed in and you need to twist it to reset it.Uses N.C. contacts to energize contactor - contactor itself is N.O.The question is: is it OK that resetting the button energizes the circuit? Should there be additional Start button that needs to be used after resetting estop to energize the circuit?

author: CaptDon
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 01, 2022, 05:16:02 pm
content: My experience in industry has generally been that the EStop drops enough circuits to the connected equipment and that connected equipment included a relay electrically self holding circuit which dropped out when the EStop was hit forcing you to again press the 'start' button when the EStop was reset. I have seen some equipment which will return any movable arms, levers and so forth back to the 'home' position when the EStop was reset. So, maybe you want to install some sort of the industry standard relay electrical self hold circuit with the typical green 'start' button and the red 'stop' button which drops out if the Estop is hit. It also drops out during power failure. The circuit to which I refer DOES NOT use mechanical latching relays!!! That is a whole different animal!!

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 01, 2022, 05:54:47 pm
content: Spa as in hot tub? Is the E-stop button a requirement there? I have never seen one used here and am not sure what value it ads. Certainly it would be annoying if I had to go manually reset a switch every time mine lost power due to a momentary outage.

author: furmek
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 01, 2022, 10:47:29 pm
content: Quote from: CaptDon on June 01, 2022, 05:16:02 pmThis matches what I was able to find after doing a bit of research.Latching estop button, separate start button, safety relay and a contactor that does the actual on/off.

author: furmek
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 01, 2022, 10:55:45 pm
content: Quote from: james_s on June 01, 2022, 05:54:47 pmyes, spa pool, hot tub, jackuzzi, basically a tone of water some heaters some pumps and some jets.If only the standards were accessible for free for the common folk.the best I could find washttps://www.northsydney.nsw.gov.au/files/assets/public/docs/3_building_development/development_building_compliance/spa_pools_nswgov.pdf:it says:QuoteBut it also mentions suction points to be spaced at least 600mm apart which my spa does not comply with so I wonder if there are any exclusions listed in that standard.

author: CaptDon
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 01, 2022, 11:15:46 pm
content: Without looking up the specific USA National Unified Electrical Code I do recall that a 'disconnect' must be located within a certain range and must be visible within that range. This requirement is mainly so a service technician can visually verify the power is 'off' by the position of the disconnect handle. Most of the so called purpose dedicated 'disconnects' include the holes for a 'Lock out tag out' LOTO device so power cannot be restored until the device is removed. Many also include screw in fuses on the safe side of the disconnect.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2022, 12:31:37 am
content: Quote from: CaptDon on June 01, 2022, 11:15:46 pmYes IIRC the disconnect typically called a "spa panel" and containing a GFCI breaker must be at least 4' away horizontally and within sight. It is primarily for servicing but it can also be used as a shut off in case of emergency. A similar requirement exists for heat pump and AC condensing units.

author: floobydust
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2022, 01:41:59 am
content: Emergency Stop switches are normally closed, and go open-circuit when mechanically tripped. They are normally-closed to confirm the wiring and switch are there, and that there are no faults with it.The spa should have a start/stop switch which is activating a latching relay, which may be the pump contactor+side switch.The E-stop would be wired in series with the latching relay/contactor coil circuit and de-energize it once the E-stop contact goes open-circuit due to being pressed.It should not just start the pump back up if you reset the E-stop. You need to press Start. So it typically latches off.If the motor overload or low water tripped it should latch off and not just start back up again, you would get a pump going on/off/on/off etc.There is a danger if the E-stop is not properly waterproof as it likely has mains voltage present, and wet hands would not be welcome hitting it.I don't know your particular safety standard, but common sense also helps.Had a nice bird get a bun cheek stuck on the suction vent, by time the pump was switched off she had quite the welt lol. Who'd have thought of the dangers of the spa?