I am putting in a pool and I didn't really understand all I knew about pools. I know what the code says and I can pass the tests but inspecting commercial buildings for the last 10 years I really haven't looked at any pools.
My wife builds high end houses so I have the opportunity to see what passes so I looked ... and I am underwealmed.
Is it really the intent of the code that the J box is simply a thermocraft sticking out of the ground on 3-4 RMNC "legs" and *maybe* tywrapped to a 1x4 they found from when the framers bucked the windows? It sure looks like something that is going to "suffer the slings and arrows of the outragous yard men" who ply their trade in this hamlet. <sorry>
I can't believe the buyer of a $750,000 house is happy with that, even if it is "hold your nose" legal.
Don't they make a J box that attaches to a wall? I would certainly like all of this strapped to something more solid than a board stuck in the ground. I haven't seen one in my poking around on the web.
I really want something more substantial at my house.

I believe you are correct and that the jurisdiction needs to "tighten up" on that issue. It is a problem in many counties. I would not accept tie wraps, I would only accept a 4x4 pressure treated post (lumber, not landscape timber).

I will post a better answer soon. Today and tomorrow I am attending the Building Code Administrators and Inspectors Board meeting in Jacksonville.

(Don't have my Code books handy now)

Hopefully Mike will get this and run an answer today or tomorrow.

Just to make a quick reply, there is a bracket made and designed for use to support listed swimming pool junction boxes. They may be attached to the building structure, or post.

Article 680 doesn’t address the support of the listed swimming pool junction boxes or other enclosures, so one must go to article 314.23. That code section 314.23(e) permits enclosures without devices, fixtures, etc.. for boxes with threaded hubs, or hubs identified for the purpose, 100 in. in size, or less, to be supported by two or more conduits threaded wrenchtight into the hub.

Each conduit must be secured within 3 ft of the enclosure if the conduits enter the box from more than one direction.

If all the conduits enter the box from the same direction than the conduit must be supported within 18 in of the box.

The box is not permitted to be supported by only one conduit.

If 314.23(e) cannot be met than you must look to one of the other provisions of 314.23 for support.

The best way is to run the conduit back to the transformer at the pool pack, but most pool companies won't supply the longer corded pool lights. The cost of the longer cord surely couldn't cost more than a pool junction box could it?

Mike, I agree with your response. Also, I would like to add that if I felt it was a "hold your nose" legal installation (love that description) and that would fall apart or be subject to damage from the lawn care guy, I would probably red-tag it citing a violation of 110.3(2).

Do you think I would be correct?

Also, Electricman, I'm not sure but I think that some transformers may prohibit the direct connection that you are talking about. I have to check it out a little bit more.

Yes, you are correct on both items. Actually most transformer enclosures are not listed for direct connection, as they don't conform to the four construction requirements of 680.24(b)(1).

Mike, I believe that article 680.24 (b)(1) pertains to no niche fixtures only as per the most commonly used wet niche. We have been running pvc to transformer enclosures for years.

This section 680.24(a) & (b) applies to both wet-niche and no-niche fixtures. Follow along as I set the stage. We’ll look at part B as it is similar to part A:

680.24(B) Other Enclosures;
An enclosure for a transformer, ground-fault circuit interrupter, or a similar device connected to a conduit that extends directly to a forming shell or mounting bracket of a no-niche fixture shall meet the requirements of this section. You will notice that this section is addressing enclosures for transformers etc..
where the conduit extends to the forming shell of the fixture. That fixture that they are talking about is a wet-niche fixture . Or this conduit may also connect to the mounting bracket of a no-niche fixture .

Next look at 680.23(d);
(D) No-Niche Fixtures. A no-niche fixture shall meet the construction requirements of 680.23(B)(3) and be installed in accordance with the requirements of 680.23(B). Where connection to a forming shell is specified, the connection shall be to the mounting bracket. As you can see the requirements that apply to a no-niche fixture are the same as for wet-niche, as this section sends you to 680.23(b)

680.23(b) (2) Wiring Extending Directly to the Forming Shell.
Conduit shall be installed from the forming shell to a suitable junction box or other enclosure located as provided in 680.24.

As you can see, 680.23(d) takes you to 680.23(b), now 680.23(b)(2) now tells you to install the conduit to a junction box or other enclosure (transformer) as noted in 680.24.

To sum up, the conduit shall be installed from the forming shell of a wet-niche fixture, or to a mounting bracket of a no-niche fixture, to a suitable junction box or other enclosure as provided in 680.24. The transformer enclosure must be constructed according to 680.24(b) if it is to connect directly to a wet-niche fixture or to the mounting bracket of a no-niche fixture

I am becoming more educated about pools ;-)
The answer for why you don't see longer cords on 12v lights comes from the manufacturers. They say voltage drop is the problem and limit the cord at 50'. A 300w 12v bulb will be pulling 25a so that is a reasonable assumption.

Now another question; Can you have too much bonding? Specifically is it wrong to bond your pool all the way back to the service grounding electrode? You already have that path via the equipment grounding conductors in the light and pump but is there any reason why you wouldn't connect the ground electrode to the pool bonding grid with #8?

I say it's wrong, it's not the intent, even though codewise we may not be able to prevent it if they do it that way. See the previous commentary on the iaei.org website (but then come back to this forum because it's much better, less confusing, and easier to use):

Go to iaei.org

Click on Global Forum

Click on Discussion Forum

Go a few posts down to "Pool Bonding"