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Electrical requirements by model: dedicated GFCI circuits for your walk-in tub
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Electrical requirements by model: dedicated GFCI circuits for your walk-in tub
Updated September 2026
The electrical requirements by model for Ella walk-in tubs are simple to state: every tub with pumps needs its own dedicated GFCI-protected 20A/120V circuit or circuits, installed by a licensed electrician, and the number of circuits follows the therapy package rather than the model name. The tub can never share a circuit with any other appliance. The Flow is the one Ella tub specified at 15A, and a soaking tub with only the optional heated seat needs a 15A/120V line since it has no pumps. The table below gives the line count for every configuration, followed by the voltage notes by model and the safety rules your electrician will follow.
Watch: Proper Electrical Installation
Chapters in this video
- 0:00 Electrical Components Clearly Marked The video explains the electrical requirements for installing an Ella's Bubbles walk-in tub, showing how components are clearly marked and accessible.
- 0:31 Dedicated GFCI Protected Outlets The contractor connects the tub to the home's power supply, emphasizing the need for dedicated GFCI protected outlets and breakers.
- 0:57 Finding Electrical Requirements Online The video directs viewers to the Ella's Bubbles website to find detailed electrical requirements based on their specific tub model and jetting packages.
- 1:28 Plug In and Enjoy After proper installation, the tub is ready to be plugged in, and technical support is available for any questions.
Watch: Ella's Bubbles: Proper Electrical Installation For Your Walk-In Tub with chapters and a full transcript.
As the video explains, Ella labels the electrical lines at the production facility for easy identification, and all pumps, heaters and electrical components are ETL certified, clearly marked and easily accessible. The more pumps and accessories your tub has, the more dedicated lines it needs. For exact requirements the video points you to the website: click Compare Ella Walk-In Tubs, then the Jetting Packages tab, which lists the electrical requirements and how many plugs and lines each tub needs. Once the correct circuits exist, your installer simply plugs the components in, and technical support is available to installers throughout.
How Many Dedicated Circuits Does My Tub Need?
| Configuration | Dedicated GFCI lines |
|---|---|
| Hydro only | 1 |
| Air only (LayDown) | 1 |
| Microbubble only (LayDown) | 1 |
| Air + Hydro (single-seat) | 1 |
| Hydro + Microbubble | 2 |
| Air + Hydro + Hydro Foot (and variants adding Micro or Heated Seat, single-seat) | 2 |
| Shak / Big4One digital Air + Hydro + Hydro Foot + Micro | 3 |
| Two-seat full package (Air + Hydro + Hydro Foot + Micro + Heated Seat, digital) | 3 x 20A/120V |
| Soaking with Heated Seat only | 1 x 15A/120V |
Your exact requirement is printed on your model's specification sheet and jetting package page. On ellasbubbles.com you can open the model comparison, click the jetting packages tab, and see the electrical requirements, including how many lines and how many outlets your configuration needs. The therapy combinations by model article shows which packages each tub can carry, and the common electrical questions article covers the 15 versus 20 amp and one-circuit-or-two questions in more depth.
Voltage and Amperage Notes by Model
- Flow: 15A GFCI dedicated line, the only Ella tub specified at 15A.
- Standard, Standard60, Zen, Zen60: 20A/120V GFCI dedicated line.
- Stainless steel inward-swing, Ultra, and outward-swing families: dedicated GFCI line(s), 110/120V. Shak, Big4One and the two-seat models print 115V 60Hz on their sheets, and Transfer models print 115/120V 60Hz. These all describe standard North American household power.
- HomeCare 32x60: 20A dedicated GFCI, 115/120V. The grey cord is the tank pump and the black cord is the hydro pump, both to 20A GFCI. See the HomeCare profile.
- Optional Heated Seat and Backrest: 4A, uses less energy than a light bulb.
- LED chromatherapy light: 0.5A, on its own transformer and control, separate from the pump circuits. Ozone sterilization is a separate 0.04A item.
- Amperage values for pumps may change based on availability. Confirm the current figures with your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850 before your order is placed.
Safety Rules Your Electrician Will Follow
- Dedicated circuits only. No sharing with any other appliance.
- GFCI protection on every tub circuit. It can sit at the receptacle or at the breaker; one or the other satisfies the warranty, and your electrician chooses the location that suits the panel and local code.
- The frame must be grounded (an initialed item on the warranty activation form). Ground wires are factory-fitted to every component and to the frame.
- No appliances within 3 feet of the tub.
- Outlets go inside the equipment compartment, under the seat area, where the labeled cords reach. Extension cords are never used.
- Never run pumps before water covers all jets. A pump run dry is permanently damaged, and that damage is not covered.
- If a GFCI fails its test or will not reset, there is ground-current flow or a device malfunction and a shock hazard. Turn the power off and do not use the tub until an electrician corrects it. See breaker or GFCI keeps tripping.
Skipping any of these can affect coverage; what can void the warranty lists the installation items that matter.
Watch: Where Each Pump Is Powered
Chapters in this video
- 0:00 Troubleshooting Massager Malfunctions The technician explains that a common problem with massagers not working is an unplugged pump or component.
- 0:27 Checking Pump Power Connections The technician advises checking the pump and its power cord to ensure it is properly powered up.
- 0:42 Verifying Control Box Power The technician shows how to check the control box for a green light indicator, which means power is flowing to it.
Watch: Proper Electrical Connections with chapters and a full transcript.
In this clip a technician walks through a triple-massage Ultimate with three pumps to show the most common reason one massage system stops working: a pump or component that is simply not plugged in. The control box runs the air pump and the water pump, while the third pump is powered together with the inline heater and needs its own line, which is why that package is a two-line tub. If one massage system does not work, the first check is that its pump and cord are plugged in and powered; if the whole tub is dead, look for the green power light on the control box, which confirms that power is reaching it. The follow-on guide, which cord plugs where, identifies every box, cord and air tube.
Related Guides
- Can I Get an Electrical Diagram or Parts List for My Tub?
- Find Your Manual, Spec Sheet, Schematic, and Drawings by Model
- What to Do When a Tub Power Cord Is Too Short to Reach the Receptacle
- Installing a Walk-In Tub in a Wet Room: Keeping the Electrical Compartment Dry
- Installation Documents for Your Contractor: Spec Sheets, Electrical Diagrams, Manuals and the Live Video Session
- Can I Upgrade to a Stronger Hydro Pump for More Jet Pressure?
If your tub will be installed where the supply is 220 to 240 volts, see walk-in tub voltage and frequency outside North America for the custom-build option and what to confirm before you order.
Common Questions
Do I need GFCI at the outlet and at the breaker?
One or the other. The warranty for your Ella walk-in tub requires GFCI protection on every tub circuit, but it does not specify whether this protection must be at the receptacle outlet or at the breaker. Your licensed electrician will choose the location that best suits your home's electrical panel and local building codes. If you see older videos that mention both, please know that one or the other is sufficient to meet the warranty requirements.
What do the stickers on the cords mean?
Ella labels the electrical lines at the production facility for easy identification, so the Line 1 and Line 2 stickers tell your electrician which dedicated circuit each cord needs. Match each labeled cord to its own dedicated 20 amp GFCI line with nothing else on it.
Is the tub 120 volts or 240 volts?
Every Ella walk-in tub runs on 120 volts, which is standard North American household power, so a 240 volt circuit is not needed. You may see 110V, 115V, or 120V figures printed on different specification sheets for Ella tubs, but these all describe the same standard household circuit. For example, models like the Shak, Big4One, and two-seat models print 115V 60Hz, while Transfer models print 115/120V 60Hz, all referring to the same power supply.
My electrician asks how many 20 amp GFCI circuits a Transfer60 with air, hydro and heated seat needs.
Air plus hydro on one controller is a single-line package on a single-seat tub, and adding the heated seat and backrest does not add a line: the Air + Hydro + Heated Seat diagrams print one dedicated 20 amp, 120 volt GFCI outlet. A second line is needed once independent foot massage or microbubbles are added. The exact count for your configuration is printed on the spec sheet and on the jetting packages tab of the model comparison on ellasbubbles.com, and the team can confirm it from your serial number or your order if you open a ticket.
Does a soaking tub need any electrical?
Not unless you add the optional heated seat and backrest, which needs one dedicated 15A/120V GFCI line. A soaking tub has no pumps and drains by gravity, so there is nothing else to power. The heated seat draws 4A and uses less energy than a light bulb.
The tub trips the breaker when all the features run together.
That is the classic sign of too few circuits or of a 15 amp line feeding a 20 amp package. Confirm with your electrician that each labeled cord is on its own dedicated 20 amp GFCI circuit with nothing else on it, since the tub can never share a circuit with another appliance. If it still trips, unplug the components one at a time to find the one responsible and open a ticket with the result. Our breaker or GFCI keeps tripping article covers the diagnosis step by step.
Where should the GFCI outlet be placed?
Inside the equipment compartment, under the seat area, so that the short factory cords reach without extension cords, which are never used. The compartment must stay accessible through the apron panels for future service and must not be packed with insulation.
Can the electrician get the diagram for my package?
Yes. The component diagrams for every package are linked from the comparison page and from the Downloads tab on each product page at ellasbubbles.com. If you open a ticket with your model and configuration, the team can send the diagram for your exact package, and technical support is available to installers throughout the job.
One of the power cords has a sideways blade. Is that a 220 volt cord?
No. Every Ella walk in tub runs on 120 volts. The cord with the sideways blade is a 20 amp appliance style plug, and a standard 20 amp GFCI receptacle accepts it. The sticker on each power cord tells your electrician what that cord needs, and the electrical diagram for your package downloads from the model page and is sent with your order.
Why does the Ultimate need two dedicated lines?
The Ultimate carries three pumps: a hydro pump, an air pump and a second water pump for the independent foot massage, plus the in line heater and the LED light. Run together the tub draws far more than a single 20 amp circuit can carry, which is why two dedicated 20 amp 120 volt GFCI lines are required. With two water pumps there are three cords: one from the control box that runs the first hydro pump, the air pump and the light, and one each for the second water pump and the in line heater.
Where do the cords come out of the tub, and how long are they?
The power cords exit the back of the tub at the seat end and are about 4 feet long, because the pumps and control box sit under the seat. Place the receptacles on the seat side, on the back wall toward the seat and about 12 inches off the floor, so the plugs reach without strain. On the LayDown the pump sits opposite the drain, so a left drain puts the pump on the right.
The instructions ask for the frame to be grounded and there is a loose green wire by the pump. What is it for?
That green wire is the tub's frame ground, which is factory-fitted to every component and to the frame. Your licensed electrician will bond this green wire to the house ground on the outlet circuit, ensuring proper grounding for your Ella walk-in tub. GFCI protection is required for this circuit, and any additional bonding to a water pipe will be done according to local code. Proper grounding is an initialed item on the warranty activation form, so it is important for your electrician to complete this step.
My control box has failed twice. Why does it keep happening?
Repeated control box failures on the same tub usually point to the house side rather than the box: a tripping breaker, a bad GFCI or a faulty outlet. Have an electrician test the circuit and receptacle before another box is replaced. Some electricians place the GFCI devices under the tub behind the front panel so a trip can be reset without going to the panel.
Does an electrician need to check the voltage in my bathroom before installing my tub?
Yes, your licensed electrician should confirm the voltage available at your bathroom outlet before installation. Ella walk-in tubs run on standard 120 volt North American household power, so the electrician verifies the existing circuit matches while installing the dedicated GFCI-protected circuit or circuits your configuration requires.
Do I need to hire both an electrician and a plumber if I choose therapy options?
Yes, selecting a therapy option such as hydromassage, air massage, or a heated seat and backrest typically calls for both a licensed plumber and a licensed electrician during installation. The plumber connects your water supply and drain, while the electrician installs the dedicated GFCI-protected circuit or circuits your configuration requires. Your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850 can confirm exactly what your configuration needs.
Will a single 20 amp GFCI circuit power the chromotherapy light too?
Yes, the LED chromatherapy light draws only 0.5A and runs on its own transformer and control that share the same control box as the hydro and air pumps, so it does not need a separate dedicated line. As long as the labeled cord for that control box is on its own 20 amp GFCI circuit, the chromotherapy light is powered along with it.
Which pump powers which feature on a two-seat tub with a lower motor for the foot massager?
On a two-seat configuration, one seat runs its air blower from its own dedicated pump, while the other seat carries two pumps plus a heater to run the microbubble and foot massage features. Because these systems draw power independently, this two-seat full package needs three dedicated 20 amp, 120 volt GFCI circuits rather than one or two. Your model's spec sheet and the jetting packages tab on ellasbubbles.com confirm the exact wiring for your configuration.
What water pressure should my home supply to the walk-in tub?
Incoming water pressure to the property should be regulated to the standard 60 psi used for indoor plumbing fixtures. Ask your plumber to check the pressure at the supply and to add or adjust a pressure regulating valve if it runs above that level. This is a plumbing item, separate from the dedicated GFCI circuits your electrician installs for the pumps.
What size water supply lines should run to my Ella tub?
All incoming water lines, from both the water source and the water heater, should be 3/4 inch diameter all the way to the tub. Ask your plumber to keep the full 3/4 inch size through the entire run rather than stepping down to a smaller pipe near the tub. If your existing lines are smaller, have the plumber plan the upgrade before the tub is set in place.
Does the tub drain need a P-trap and a vent pipe?
Yes, the drain line runs through a P-trap and then to a 2 inch vent pipe to the roof, which relieves pressure buildup so the drain flows freely. The drain line should slope downhill to the main drain, and a clean out placed just uphill from where it joins the main line makes future service easier. Your licensed plumber sizes and routes the drain to local code while your electrician handles the dedicated GFCI circuits.
Does a tub with hydrotherapy and a heated seat need one or two dedicated 20 amp lines?
A walk-in tub with hydrotherapy and the heated seat and backrest needs a single dedicated 20 amp, 120 volt line with GFCI protection. The heated seat draws only 4A and does not add a circuit to the hydro package. That one line must serve the tub alone, with no other appliance on it, and the GFCI device can sit at the wall receptacle or at the breaker. Your electrician can confirm the exact count from the spec sheet or the jetting packages tab on ellasbubbles.com.
Is my walk-in tub hardwired or does it plug into an outlet?
Ella walk-in tubs are designed to plug into a dedicated GFCI-protected outlet rather than being hardwired, with the labeled control box and pump cords reaching outlets inside the equipment compartment. Your licensed electrician can confirm this plug-in setup fits your specific tub configuration and home electrical panel before installation. If anything about your setup looks different, your electrician remains the best resource to verify the connection type.
What size water heater is recommended for my walk-in tub?
A 75-gallon water heater is recommended for Ella walk-in tubs. Delivering 84 gallons of hot water in the first hour at 120 plus degrees is sufficient for a 60-gallon tub fill, especially when you blend water.
Is a 50-gallon gas water heater enough for the Ultimate model?
No, a 50-gallon gas water heater is not sufficient for the Ultimate. The Ultimate requires 84 gallons of hot water delivered in the first hour, and a 75-gallon water heater is recommended for it.
Do the water connections on my tub use garden hose thread?
No, the water connections on Ella's Bubbles tubs use normal national pipe thread, not garden hose thread. Let your plumber know so the right fittings are on hand at installation.
Still need help? Open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support or call (800) 480-6850.
About this guide. Answers in the Ella’s Bubbles Support Center are compiled from real conversations with tub owners, our technicians’ notes and the product documentation, then reviewed by our team. Tub models and options have evolved over the years, so a detail here may differ slightly from your exact tub. If something looks different on yours, send us your serial number and a specialist will confirm it for your model.
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