Free Electrical Tool

Pool & Spa Power Checker

Adding a pool, spa or heat pump? Check whether your home's power supply can carry it — and understand the dedicated circuits and bonding your electrician will set up.

Pool and spa loads add up quickly

A pump and chlorinator on their own are modest, but add an electric heat pump or a spa and the extra draw can tip an older 63A service over the edge — especially alongside cooking, air conditioning and EV charging. Pool equipment also needs its own RCD-protected circuits, and equipotential bonding around the water is a legal requirement under the wiring rules, handled by your electrician. If the numbers are tight, a consumer mains upgrade is the usual path.

Planning other big loads too? Stack them all — pool heating, induction, EV charging — in the maximum demand calculator for a fuller picture, then get in touch for a proper assessment.

Frequently asked questions

Does a pool or spa need its own circuit?

Yes. Pool pumps, chlorinators, heat pumps and spas run on dedicated circuits with their own RCD (safety switch) protection — they aren't run off a general power point. This reduces shock risk around water and keeps the equipment reliable. Sizing depends on the specific equipment's rated input.

What is equipotential bonding and do I need it?

Equipotential bonding connects the metal parts around a pool or spa — ladders, handrails, reinforcement, fittings — so they stay at the same electrical potential, reducing shock risk. Under the wiring rules (AS/NZS 3000) it's a legal requirement for pools and spas, and it's carried out by the licensed electrician as part of the installation.

Can my home power a pool heat pump?

Often, but not always. A pool heat pump adds a meaningful continuous load — indicatively around 20A single-phase — on top of cooking, air conditioning, hot water and any EV charger. On an older 63A supply that can be enough to trigger a consumer mains upgrade. A maximum demand assessment confirms it before you buy.

Do I need three-phase power for a pool and spa?

Most residential pool and spa equipment runs on single-phase. Very large heat pumps or a busy home with lots of other loads can benefit from three-phase, which spreads demand across three supply conductors. Converting from single to three-phase is Level 2 ASP work — new consumer mains, metering and a network application.