Mike why don't they just make it mandatory that the system is 24 volts only. Unless I am missing some thing I don't belive they can get get electrocuted from 24 volts.

Jerry

This is a great question, and I must add the question What happens if the transformer is wired in REVERSE? Florida HAS MADE GREAT ADVANCES IN HORRIBLE SUCTION FAULTS. ANOTHER PROBLEM IS ENFORCEMENT AND PRICE THOUGH. Another huge problem is COST. I dont understand why a 10$, LIFE SAVING PART, would be marked up 300%, when we're still in a ressesion. Realistate sales is a major means of income in Florida, with corners cut on a large majority of sales. INSPECTIONS DONT INCLUDE PROPER LIGHT NICHE WIRING. 'Qualified' inspectors more often wouldnt even know what to look for. Its definately a gray area worth putting some more safety regulations into. And making a tranformer THAT WONT WORK IF WIRED IMPROPERLY seems like a fair answer to me. I was LUCKY. Its NOT AN AREA TO EVER TRUST LUCK TO.

One PROBLEM, that I will admit to making many years ago in my youth myself, ONCE causing people to get shocked, is the DESIGN AND LABELING OF THE POOL LIGHT TRANSFORMER. There should be OBVIOUS DIFFERENCE IN WIRING INSIDE THE TRANSFORMERS. And with mire and more advances in electrical MONITORING SYSTEMS, AN AUTOMATIC SAFETY MDISCONNECT SHOULD BE REQUIRED ON TRANSFORMERS. But WHY ISNT PROPER BONDING FIXING THE PROBLEM AS WELL? Further testing should be done with the light niche itself. 20+ years experience in south Florida with electrical and swimming pool contractors...

Why is the state of Fla. so far behind in pool safety? I would think that a State that has as many pools and access to water that Fla. does would be leading in safety. Also if the code was followed and inspection done that this would not be a problem. Who is not doing their job?

GFCI, Arc Fault, DC or Fiber Optic Lighting does not negate the necessity for proper bonding of all contact surfaces in and around a pool facility.I investigated a non fatal contact incident where people were receiving substantial shock. I measured voltage between the water, handrails, and surrounding cement in the magnitude of 7-8 volts. It was not continuously present, so to make a long story short I found a submersible water pump at a residence located more than a mile away with exposed wiring due to abrasion to be the cause. When that home called for water the people in the pool received a shock. I suspect that it was energizing the water table. Proper bonding of all contact surfaces would have minimized or eliminated the effects of that all together. Thankfully the voltage was not any greater to the point where they would have experienced paralysis and drowning. I'm all in favor of doing everything possible to eliminate hazards at the installation but bonding is still the number one defense.