Hot Tub Electric Supply
What electricity supply do I need for my hot tub?
We're often asked this question by potential new customers looking at our range of hot tubs. Whether you're looking for a 13A Plug & Play model or one of our 32A hard-wired models, we're here to let you know what you need to do before the wonderful day when your hot tub arrives, including if you're wondering about hot tub running costs!
Do you do the electrics for me?
Not quite. Without going through all the boring legal stuff essentially an electrical socket outside your home, or an adjustment to your electric supply around your home, must comply with Part P of the Building Regulations. Failure to comply is a criminal offence.
Everybody knows that electricity is really dangerous, and only a qualified electrician should do the work. But it's not too expensive, don't worry. We'll go through the costs later on. You can use the button below to find a qualified electrician near you.
13A Plug & Play hot tubs
Popular in the UK thanks to the lower running costs and easier installation, a 13A Plug & Play hot tub is the more economical choice. This is also the simplest and cheapest type of electrical connection - a 13A Plug & Play hot tub will plug into a standard 3-pin power socket.
What do I need to do?
You need to get your electrician to install an outdoor, waterproof plug socket with RCD protection (a life-saving device, designed to stop you from getting a fatal electric shock if you touch something live.)
We highly recommend using an MK IP66-rated outdoor socket, available from all major electrical retailers, such as Screwfix.
The socket should ideally be around 2 metres from the hot tub, but definitely no closer than 1 metre. An electrician will charge around £50-100 for this.
32A hard-wired hot tubs
If you’re looking for a 32A hard-wired hot tub which generally will have higher performance for a more powerful hydrotherapy massage, you need a different type of outside socket.
The hot tub needs to be hard wired on its own fused spur back to your household consumer unit, not sharing a supply with any other appliances.
The hot tub needs to be protected by an MCB (mains circuit breaker) and needs to cover the maximum amperage of the hot tub (ie. 32Amps) plus an extra 25% to allow for the initial rush of current when the pumps are started.
Ask your electrician to install an IP65 Rotary Isolator Switch - this means that the hot tub can be switched off from the main supply for maintenance or service work, or even in an emergency.
This is a trip switch which prevents the possibility of an electric shock from damaged or waterlogged cables and connections.
The switch should be at least 2 metres from the hot tub itself. You also require 6mm² 3-core SWA cable to go to the hot tub.
An electrician will charge around £250-300 for this work, depending on the size of your property.
IMPORTANT: Your electrician needs to leave enough spare cable attached to the isolation switch to go to the furthest side of the tub. Our installation team are qualified to connect this cable to our hot tubs. We refer to this as 'tail wire'
Anything else I need to know?
There's a bit to prepare for when you're planning a hot tub, or waiting for it to be delivered. We've put together a handy Delivery & Installation Guide which you can download and read on your device.
OK, I'm ready. Show me the hot tubs...
You should now know everything you need to know about the electric supply for your new hot tub.
If you’ve not yet chosen your dream spa, you can browse our range of affordable hot tubs by clicking the button below…