I bought a Caldera Geneva Spa. The spa comes with a sub-panel that is supposed to be mounted 5 feet away from the tub. I would like to go directly to my breaker box, omitting the sub-panel. If anybody out there has wired this kind of hot tub, I would like to hear from you. I have a pretty good knowledge of electricity however after investing $8000 dollars I don't want to screw up now. Thanks in advance. Danny V.

After looking at the Caldera Geneva Spa on the net it states that the sub panel is a GFCI panel. As with all spas you must have it on a GFCI. Also you must have a disconnect at least 5 ft from the spa and with in sight of the spa. So either you use the panel that comes with it or install a GFCI breaker in the main panel and buy another disconnect for the outside. Your best bet is to run a dedicated line from your main panel to the included GFCI sub panel and mount it at least 5 ft from the spa.

Just my 2 cents but you want that subpanel. Assuming its the "oh my GOD something TERRIBLE is happening pull the plug" subpanel variety, it serves a totally different purpose than your breaker box and that is why it is required by code.

It provides a quick way for visitors to your abode to minimize damage to themselves and others by stopping the equipment - thats why it has to be close and visible. Garage breaker box is not close enough. Subpanel in equipment shed is not visible. Reset switch inside spa control panel is not visible - and may be electrically compromised.

My own hot tub is wired with a subpanel, but its not in plain view, it's hidden in the general equipment shed and when I bought the house the inspector docked the owner for it. I was a jouneyman's apprentice so we just knocked a few hundred off the house's price and I will be rewiring/moving the subpanel myself.

Again, its just my 2 cents

A disconnecting means must be located between 5 and 10 feet from the INSIDE edge of the tub, and within sight... does not have to be a GFI breaker, as long as the main house panel houses a GFI.

That being said, use the panel that came with the spa, and wire it directly to the house panel