Interesting enough in the 2008 NEC we have a nice change on this that the electricians need to be aware of. I will post it here so others can read it and for those doing new construction inspections.
**680.71 Protection.
**Hydromassage bathtubs and their associated
electrical components shall be on an individual
branch circuit(s) and protected by a readily accessible
ground-fault circuit interrupter. All 125-volt, single-phase
receptacles not exceeding 30 amperes and located within
1.83 m (6 ft) measured horizontally of the inside walls of a
hydromassage tub shall be protected by a ground-fault circuit
interrupter.
Just to clarify lets look at the term “Readily Accessible”
**[FONT=Times New Roman][size=2]Accessible, Readily (Readily Accessible).
**Capable of being
reached quickly for operation, renewal, or inspections
without requiring those to whom ready access is requisite
to climb over or remove obstacles or to resort to portable
ladders, and so forth.
SO…lets get some opinions on this 2008 Change…do you think you can now install the GFCI under the tub area or not?..this should be fun!
OH…BTW I believe Mr. Pope said it 100% correct in that it is indeed ok to have an AFCI and GFCI on the same circuit and provide both levels of protection. They both function in different ways with regards to the main intent function of the AFCI and GFCI devices.[/FONT][/size]