Power Supply Placement Near Water

The power supply is the box between the wall outlet and the cable. Where it goes is a safety question first and a tangle question second. Your robot's manual decides the first part.

What makers say

There's no single distance. Requirements vary by model, as one guide stresses¹. The same guide mentions one manual. It calls for the power supply to sit at least 3.6 m (about 12 feet) from the pool and 12 cm above the surface¹.

That's one maker's rule for one model. Yours may be shorter, longer, or worded differently. Distance rules may also differ by country, so a figure from a manual sold elsewhere doesn't carry over.

A robot maker's blog gives the general rule. Put the power supply in a dry location and follow the minimum distance and GFCI requirements your cleaner's manufacturer sets². It also says to keep the power supply away from standing water².

Notice what both say. Neither leans on a made-up number. They send you to the manual. That's the right instinct, and it's the one to copy.

If you've lost the manual, look for the maker's support page for your exact model. Read the section on the power supply before you plug anything in. Then mark the spot you've chosen so the box goes back to the same place each time.

What a GFCI is

GFCI stands for ground-fault circuit interrupter, a shock-protection device. An NFPA columnist writes that making sure GFCIs work properly is critical for safety from electrical shock near swimming pools³. The same column says GFCIs should be tested at least as the manufacturer's instructions say³.

If your manual calls for a GFCI-protected outlet, ask a qualified electrician to check the outlet you plan to use. Don't add wiring yourself.

Where tangling comes in

Once the safe spot is set, position affects cable reach. One maker's blog says to place the supply near the centre of the longest side if possible⁴. That's the ideal, not a rule. If the manual's distance rules out the middle of that side, the manual comes first.

How to Lay Out the Cable Before a Cycle covers what to do with the cable once the box is in place.

Questions to ask before buying

• What distance does the manual give between the power supply and the water?
• Does it call for a GFCI-protected outlet?
• Is the cable long enough to reach the whole pool from a spot that meets that distance?
• Does the manual allow an extension cord? Check the manual's own words.

The third question is easy to skip, and it matters when you compare cable lengths.

Never run the robot while anyone is in the water. For a corded robot, inspect the power cable and place the power supply according to the maker's safety instructions².