If one of your walk-in tub's power cords will not reach the wall receptacle, bring the receptacle to the cord rather than stretching the cord. Ella support describes two options: have your licensed electrician run a flexible conduit line (a flex line) to a receptacle box mounted inside the tub compartment where the plug can reach it, or use a heavy-duty extension cord rated for the equipment. The flex-line receptacle is the better long-term choice because it keeps the GFCI reset button reachable once the tub is enclosed.

Why One Cord Is Shorter Than the Others

Each pump and control box on an Ella tub has its own cord, and every cord exits where that piece of equipment is mounted. Most of the plugs sit under the seat at the pump end of the tub, which is why the seat-side compartment is the recommended spot for the receptacle. On some tubs one control box is mounted closer to the middle of the underside, so its cord comes out from the center and stops well short of a receptacle placed at the seat end or on a side wall. The article on which cord plugs in where shows how to tell the cords apart, and identifying control boxes and cords after installation explains what each one powers.

Option 1: A Receptacle Box on a Flex Line

1. With the tub in its final position and the panels still off, find each cord and note where its plug lands.
2. Have a licensed electrician run flexible conduit from the dedicated circuit to a receptacle box mounted under the deck or on the framing inside the compartment, within easy reach of the short cord.
3. Keep the GFCI protection required for the circuit, as described in where to put the outlet.
4. Plug in, confirm the cord is not pulled tight, and check that the reset button can be reached through the access panel opening.

Option 2: An Extension Cord

Support also mentions a heavy-duty extension cord as a workable option when relocating the receptacle is not practical. Choose a cord rated for the equipment it serves, keep the entire run inside the dry compartment and off the floor, and plug it into the GFCI-protected receptacle for that circuit. Treat this as a fallback rather than the plan, because a cord run to a wall receptacle behind the tub can leave the GFCI where nobody can reach it.

Keep the GFCI Reachable

Whichever option you choose, the GFCI must be reachable after the tub is installed. Resetting a tripped GFCI should be as simple as pulling the front access panel. If the receptacle ends up on a wall the tub now covers, there is no way to reset it without pulling the tub. The articles on how many GFCI circuits the tub needs and electrical requirements by model list the circuit counts for each configuration.

Plan the Receptacle Before the Tub Goes in

The easiest time to solve cord reach is during the dry fit. Set the tub in place, pull each plug toward the seat-side compartment, and mark where the receptacle box needs to be so every plug reaches without strain. Doing this before the walls are closed and the panels are on avoids a second visit from the electrician. If you are unsure which cord belongs to which piece of equipment, have your model and serial number ready and call (800) 480-6850.

Related Guides

• Common Electrical Questions: 15 or 20 Amps, One Circuit or Two, GFCI at the Outlet or the Breaker, Cord Labels and Diagrams
• What Size Water Heater Do I Need for My Walk-in Tub?

Common Questions

Still Need Help?

Open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support or call (800) 480-6850 and have your model and serial number ready.