Pentair Amerlite - User Manual

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Summary

General Information

Electrical System Requirements

Ensures pool electrical system conforms to NEC and local codes. Licensed electrician must install system.

NEC Electrical Requirements

Details GFCI circuits, junction box/transformer placement, bonding, and niche depth requirements.

Fixture Compatibility

Emphasizes using only Pentair Pool Products fixtures for proper bonding and grounding.

Concrete;Gunite Installation Instructions

Positioning and Depth

Locate light on vertical wall; top of lens must be min. 18 in. below water level.

Conduit and Bonding

Connect conduit with sealant. Bond niche to rebar, grid, and other metal items using #8 AWG wire.

Non-Metallic Conduit Use

For non-metallic conduit, run #8 AWG wire through it and seal connection inside niche.

Support and Finish Surface

Support conduit for proper distance from rebar. Cut back concrete for plaster thickness.

Summary

General Information

Electrical System Requirements

Ensures pool electrical system conforms to NEC and local codes. Licensed electrician must install system.

NEC Electrical Requirements

Details GFCI circuits, junction box/transformer placement, bonding, and niche depth requirements.

Fixture Compatibility

Emphasizes using only Pentair Pool Products fixtures for proper bonding and grounding.

Concrete;Gunite Installation Instructions

Positioning and Depth

Locate light on vertical wall; top of lens must be min. 18 in. below water level.

Conduit and Bonding

Connect conduit with sealant. Bond niche to rebar, grid, and other metal items using #8 AWG wire.

Non-Metallic Conduit Use

For non-metallic conduit, run #8 AWG wire through it and seal connection inside niche.

Support and Finish Surface

Support conduit for proper distance from rebar. Cut back concrete for plaster thickness.

The Amerlite™/AmerQuartz® Stainless Steel Niche is a fixture housing designed for concrete and gunite pool installations, specifically for use with Pentair Pool Products wet niche light fixtures (models 783XXX, 784XXX, 788XXX, and 789XXX). This device serves as a critical component for safely installing underwater pool lighting, ensuring proper electrical bonding and grounding connections in accordance with national and local electrical codes.

Function Description:

The primary function of the Amerlite™/AmerQuartz® Stainless Steel Niche is to provide a secure, watertight, and electrically safe housing for underwater pool lights. It is designed to be embedded into the concrete or gunite structure of a swimming pool during construction. The niche creates a cavity that allows for the installation of a light fixture, protecting the electrical components from water and providing a pathway for the light's cable. It also incorporates specific features for electrical bonding and grounding, which are essential for preventing electrical shock hazards in a wet environment. The design ensures that the light fixture can be properly sealed against the pool wall, maintaining the integrity of the pool structure and the safety of its users.

Important Technical Specifications:

Material: Stainless Steel (as indicated by "Stainless Steel Niche" in the title).
Compatibility: Designed exclusively for Pentair Pool Products wet niche light fixtures (783XXX, 784XXX, 788XXX, 789XXX).
Installation Type: Concrete and Gunite pools.
Electrical Safety Requirements (NEC and Local Codes):
- GFCI Protection: The lighting circuit must have a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) and an appropriately rated circuit breaker.
- Junction Box/Transformer Location: Must be located at least 8 inches (20.32 cm) above water level and at least 48 inches (121.92 cm) from the edge of the pool.
- Bonding: The light fixture and all metal items within five (5) feet (1.52 m) of the pool must be properly electrically bonded. The niche itself must be properly bonded and grounded via a No. 8 AWG ground connector located at the rear of the niche.
- Niche Depth: The top edge of the underwater light's lens must be at least 18 inches (45.72 cm) below the surface of the water in the pool.
- Grounding Connector: A No. 8 AWG ground connector bonding is located at the rear of the niche.
- Conduit: Rigid conduit is shown in diagrams. If non-metallic conduit is used, a No. 8 AWG bonding/grounding wire must be installed through the conduit from the Junction Box to the bonding/grounding lug inside the niche.
- Sealant: For non-metallic conduit installations, the connection inside the niche must be sealed with a listed sealant such as 3M Scotchcast 2135 or equivalent.
Dimensions (from Figure 1 and 2):
- Niche Body (internal diameter): 10 inches (25.4 cm) i.d.
- Niche Flange (outer diameter): 11-1/2 inches (29.21 cm) o.d.
- Coil Cable Length: 4 ft (1.22 m) of light cable must be coiled around the fixture.
- Conduit Connection: 4 inches (10.16 cm) minimum for conduit bend radius.
- Overall Depth (approximate, from Figure 1): 11.50 inches (29.21 cm) from the front of the mounting ring to the rear of the niche body.
Components:
- Side hub
- Rear hub
- Bonding lug (external)
- Internal ground lug
- Mounting ring (brass, on the front of the niche)
- Pilot screw (for securing the light fixture)

Usage Features:

Integrated Safety: Designed with specific bonding and grounding lugs to facilitate compliance with electrical safety codes, minimizing the risk of electrical shock or electrocution.
Robust Construction: Made from stainless steel, providing durability and resistance to corrosion in pool environments.
Secure Mounting: Features a mounting ring and pilot screw for a snug and stable fit of the light fixture to the pool wall.
Conduit Connection: Includes provisions for connecting rigid or non-metallic conduit, ensuring a protected pathway for electrical wiring.
Plaster Compatibility: Designed to allow for proper concrete cut-back and plaster thickness, ensuring a flat and flush finish around the niche flange for a tight seal between the light and the pool wall.
Cable Management: Allows for coiling 4 feet of light cable around the fixture, providing slack for future servicing or replacement of the light fixture without draining the pool.

Maintenance Features:

Serviceability: The design, including the coiled cable length, allows for the light fixture to be pulled out of the niche for servicing or bulb replacement without requiring the pool to be drained.
Durable Materials: Stainless steel construction contributes to long-term reliability and reduced need for frequent replacement due to corrosion.
Clear Installation Guidelines: The manual provides detailed instructions and diagrams for proper installation, which is crucial for the long-term performance and safety of the niche and light fixture. Adherence to these guidelines helps prevent issues that would require extensive maintenance or repair.
Bonding/Grounding Access: The external bonding lug at the rear of the niche provides an accessible point for verifying and maintaining the electrical bonding connections.

Important Considerations:

Professional Installation: Installation must be performed by a licensed or certified electrician to ensure compliance with all electrical codes and safety standards. Improper installation can lead to severe injury or death.
Product Specificity: This niche is specifically designed for Pentair Pool Products light fixtures. Using incompatible fixtures may compromise safety and performance.
Pre-Installation Planning: Proper location planning, including minimum depths and distances from the pool edge for the junction box/transformer, is critical and must be established before installation.
Sealant Use: The use of specified sealants (e.g., 3M Scotchcast 2135) is essential for maintaining the integrity of electrical connections, especially when using non-metallic conduit.