When building a swimming pool, most people will choose to install pool lights, which can illuminate the pool at night and make the pool look more beautiful. Because pool lights work in water, we had to pay extra attention to sealing pool light cables.
If the sealing work is not done well, it may cause serious consequences, ranging from a short circuit of the swimming pool lights to electric shock. Therefore, sealing swimming pool light cables is the top priority of our swimming pool construction work, and we must not be negligent. So what should we do on the cable seal?
Before sealing, we should prepare the required tools and materials.
You can list what you need to avoid omissions. Prepare caulk gun, screwdrivers, plier, sealant, waterproof tape, heat shrink tubing, multimeter, rope, knife, wire cutter, etc.
The first thing to do is to turn off the power to the pool.
Find the power distribution box in your home, then find the button that controls the power to the pool, and press it to turn the power off. After shutting down, verify that you have powered off the pool. You can try to turn on the swimming pool light again. If the light is not on, it means that you have turned off the power of the swimming pool; if the light is on, you have to be careful. After discovering the error, you must find out what went wrong and confirm it again. Then, you can proceed to the next step.
Suppose the circuit identification on the distribution box is not clear. In that case, you cannot tell which one is the power supply for the swimming pool. Then, the safest way is to turn off the main power, confirm whether the power is turned off, and then continue to do other work.
Then clean the cable channel and cable entry and exit. Before cable security seals, clean the inlet and outlet of the cable and the surrounding area, which can reduce unnecessary troubles for our sealing work.
The next step is to start the sealing work!
Step 1: Open the housing of the pool light cable
Use a screwdriver to open your pool light’s housing and remove the light’s inner body to expose the pool light cable. You can use a flathead screwdriver to screw the casing of the pool light with some force. If you do this job the first time, you can try more. After trying some times, you will find it’s easy. After screwing, you should part the light from the pool light cable.
Step 2: Remove cable connection
Now, you should remove the pool light cable from the other side. Use a screwdriver to pry out carefully. Then pull the pool light cable out of the conduit by the fish tape.
Step 3: Cut the Cord
Use a utility knife to cut the cord. You need to cut the insulating sheathing, not the internal wires. So, concentrate on cutting and do not cut the wires inside.
Step 4: Separate cable ties
If there is more than one wire tied by cable ties, you need to cut them apart. Separating the cable ties helps you tell each of the wires and connect the power or pool light easier after sealing.
Step 5: Solder wires
Soldering wires should be done in this step. Get each wire to the corresponding connector. Soldering wires benefits a good electrical connection, which makes pool lights work smoothly.
Step 6: Put it back together
After soldering wires, you need to use a new cable tie to tie the cables. It can’t be too loose or too tight. Too loose may cause water to get in, and too close may cause a force on wires.
Step 7: Reinstall
Now, it comes to the last step. Put the pool light cable into the circuit. Use the caulk gun to fill the sealant and wait a while to check if it’s firm. You can install the pool light’s housing if it is not loose in the pool light cable.
Don’t forget to check electric leakage with a multimeter.
Now, everything is ok. Turn on your pool power and enjoy your pool.
Related Questions and Answers
What consequences will be if the swimming pool light cable is not properly sealed?
The pool light is designed with low voltage. The cable is also sealed in the pool light niche, so as long as the lamps and accessories produced by the regular manufacturers are used, there will be no leakage. When there is a problem with the water pump, wall lamp, underwater light circuit, etc., in the swimming pool, the swimming pool will leak electricity. However, in a swimming pool equipped with a leakage protector and a grounding device, once the line in the water is short-circuited, the leakage protector will act instantaneously and trip. However, there is a high risk of electric shock if pool power equipment is not installed under safety regulations or if routine inspections are not carried out. Safety is very important. We must treat every aspect of sealing work strictly.
Under what circumstances will electric shock occur in the swimming pool?
Although the risk of electric shock in swimming pools is very small, electric shock accidents occur. So, what places in the pool will leak electricity? Will it be fatal if electrocuted? Now, I’m here to answer your questions.
Generally speaking, there are three reasons for an electric shock: swimming pool pumps, swimming pool lights, and others.
The first is the water pump. The water pump is an essential guarantee for the circulating water supply of the swimming pool. If the swimming pool leaks electricity, most of the reasons lie in the water pump and the power supply line for the water pump.
Usually, water pumps are placed in a separate pool room. And some integrated water pumps are placed next to the pool, such as wall-mounted, buried, embedded, etc. If the machine room is damp or leaks in the water pipe, it will result in electric leakage. An aging water pump sealing or the aging circuit will also cause electric leakage.
According to the design standard of swimming pool lights, the underwater lights in the swimming pool should be designed with a voltage of 12 or 24 volts. The safety protection level should be IP68 (the highest waterproof level). If the pool light leaks, it may be because the seal is not well done, or the cable connecting the pool light has been corroded by disinfectants for a long time.
Generally speaking, the safe voltage the human body can withstand is 36 volts and below. The underwater power supply facility designed in accordance with the standard has a working power supply of 12 volts, which is within the safe voltage range of the human body, and the possibility of electric shock is extremely slight.
Other causes refer to unusual factors, usually accidental. Suppose you do not use electrical appliances in a standardized way when there are people in the pool. In that case, you should avoid using electrical appliances around the swimming pool to prevent accidents. Also, in bad weather, you should leave the pool as soon as possible. Thunderstorms and strong winds can cause damage to the pool’s electrical facilities, as well as leakage problems. In addition to causing damage to electrical facilities, it can also damage surrounding buildings. If some parts of an external building fall into the pool, it can cause electrocution and even death.
How do we perform first aid when someone is electrocuted?
First, keep calm, cut off the electricity, call an ambulance, and then look for a long insulated pole to pull the victim away from the leakage point. After the casualty is on the ground, check for breathing and heartbeat. If not, perform CPR until an ambulance arrives.
What should I do if the pool light cable is stuck?
If the swimming pool has been built for many years, it won’t be easy to move the pool light cable or to do pool light cable replacement.
A pool established many years ago has some problems probably. Such as the pool lights going aging, the pool light cable, pool cable going aging, a lot of dust or impurities accumulated in the pool, the pool light cable stuck in conduit, etc. It’s troublesome.
If you face a pool light cable stuck in a conduit, what would you do to deal with it? How to remove a stuck pool light cable? In the following reading, you will find how to solve it.
First, clean the area around the pool light. Then, shake the pool light cable slightly and try to pull it. If you can’t pull the pool light cord out successfully, you can detach the grounding cable. Finally, use a fish tape or a string to pull the cord. Now, you can pull the cable very easily. If you have used all the methods but can not solve them, you had better ask for a professional.