Pool GFI Revisited - test results! Pipedown?

[ron_windham]

OK - I pulled off the top of the deck lamp junction box and isolated the wires going directly to the underwater bulb (recall that turning it on trips the GFI, which tests to be working correctly.

Between the two leads to the bulb (green and black) there is continuity. Between each of the individual leads and the pool ground (electrical junction box) there is also continuity. I think this is expected from the green (ground) lead --- but I'm guessing the fact that the black lamp lead is also grounded is what's causing the GFI to trip.

Is this right?

What's the next step in repair? Pulling the wire to the niche and replacing --- or is pulling the lamp housing up the surface for inspection next?

Thanks for ideas?

[Duane Bozarth]

Well, if the hot side is grounded there's a problem... :) But "continuity" is something else..if the bulb is intact, there will be continuity through the filament--but it shouldn't be a dead short.

I think b) is the next step...of course, I figured it was where you needed to look to begin with, too... :)

[RBM]

[Matt]

Ron -

Buy a new fixture. Don't attempt a repair.

I'm not saying it can't be fixed... but do you really want to wonder if your fix is holding up every time you jump in the pool?

Even if it's $1000; either buy a new fixture, or go without.

Well, thats what I would do, anyway.

[ron_windham]

OK - My work is cut out: Hire an electrician! Thanks for the feedback - at least I"ll now what I'm up against. Cheers!

[gfretwell]

The next step is getting that screw out and getting the lamp out. Once you get it up on the deck you will know what is next. You can get a new lamp assembly for about $125-150 on the net. It may just be that the old one is full of water. The socket and wires are "potted" so it is not likely there is a problem there. If you do decide to pull out the light BE SURE you tie a piece of 1/4" nylon rope or similar to the cord securely and pull it through so you can pull the new cord back in. The "electrical" part is just to connect the 3 wires in the cord back to the junctions in the deck box.

[Richard J Kinch]

Check the fixture. Not a big job to remove and disassemble.

Regarding the wiring, wet niche lights are typically wired with just UF cable directly buried in the backfill. The via into the niche is just a

1/2 ID tube that is filled with caulk. If there's a problem inside the niche or the via, then you may fix it. If the problem is some buried wire, then oh-oh.

See my page at

[RBM]

[Richard J Kinch]

Depends on the age of the pool and code in effect during construction.

In that case, a problem is still typically repairable from the pool side.

[RBM]

If the pool was built in the US in the last thirty years, UF feeding wet niche fixtures was and is illegal. If the fixture is properly installed and wired it can either be repaired from the fixture end or the whole unit and attached rubber cord can be removed and replaced without digging or disturbing anything

[gfretwell]

Make that more like 50 years, long preceeding the invention of UF.