Electricity rarely wants to engage with water but, in the watershaping industry, it is unavoidable — electrical power is needed to run pumps, heaters, chemistry systems, lights and other equipment. The pool and hot tub industry has volumes of very specific life-critical codes to consider, spread across multiple ever-changing documents. Making sense of it all is a challenge even for licensed electricians who may have wired 1,000 homes but still don’t know how to wire a single pool safely. And that’s just the “high-voltage” side of things — there is much to talk about on the low-voltage and wireless side of communications, controls, home automation, etc. This program is designed for pool builders, service professionals and licensed electricians needing to improve their watershaping electrical acumen.

Learning Outcomes

  • Explain high-voltage terms, definitions, electrical-science and functionality including single and three-phase systems
  • Calculate sizing of feeders, panels, breakers, conductors, conduits, voltage drop and other important design parameters using a series of worksheets
  • Appraise proper installation considerations such as conduit and conductor routing developed through hands-on exercises
  • Discuss, design and evaluate low-voltage measurement, communications, protocols and controls from simple chemical controllers to complex home automation integration

Accreditation

  • Duration: 16 hours
  • IACET CEUs: 1.6
  • All students who complete the course and evaluation form receive a Certificate of Completion documenting 1.6 IACET CEUs even if they do not continue with the Certified Watershape Electrical Specialist (CWES) certification.

Delivery

There is one option:

Live In-Person

  • See schedule for upcoming classes
  • A typical course runs 8-hours per day spanning 2-consecutive days (16 hours)
  • Complete attendance is required
  • Ask questions as they come up
  • Manual is provided in class
  • Instructors are available for questions during the lectures
  • Travel, lodging and meals are the responsibility of the student
  • Watershape University provides lunch both days

Schedule

Check back soon — our schedule may update at any time.

Live In-Person

  • Western Pool & Spa Show
  • Long Beach, California
  • March 22-23, 2023
  • More. . .

Certifications

Watershape University’s ENGINEERING 4411: Essential Electrical Workshop instructs builders on safe high and low-voltage electrical systems for pools, spas and waterfeatures.

ENGINEERING 4411: Essential Electrical Workshop supports the following certifications:

Certified Watershape Electrical Specialist (CWES)
Certified Watershape Electrical Specialist (CWES)

Licensing and CEUs

The Certified Watershape Electrical Specialist (CWES) certification may be used for contractor licensing and required continuing education in certain jurisdictions. The CWES certification builds upon the CWF certification; therefore, all Certified Watershape Electrical Specialists (CWESs) are also CWFs which support licensing in the following jurisdictions:

Details

ENGINEERING 4411: Essential Electrical Workshop is intended for and attended by licensed electricians, builders, installers, consultants, contractors, subcontractors, and service and maintenance professionals — particularly those looking to communicate with their electricians the unique safety aspects of electrical systems related to pools, spas and waterfeatures.

Level: 4 – Senior / Advanced / Applied Theory

There are no prerequisites for ENGINEERING 4411: Essential Electrical Workshop, although CONSTRUCTION 2111: Essential Pool Construction is required for CWES certification and strongly recommended otherwise.

ENGINEERING 4411: Essential Electrical Workshop is a prerequisite for:

  • None

Authorized Faculty

David J. Peterson, P.E. IWI

David J. Peterson, P.E., IWI

President/CEO — Watershape Consulting, Inc.

Peterson is President/CEO of Watershape Consulting, Inc., an international planning, design and engineering firm providing owners, architects, contractors, and the legal profession with services relating to residential, commercial and institutional pools, spas and water features.

He obtained his B.S. Civil Engineering at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and is a registered engineer in several states. Peterson has been in the watershape industry since 1994 when he began his career designing life support systems for large aquariums and marine mammal exhibits. He was Vice President Engineering at Polaris Pool Systems where he developed and patented several products.

Peterson reorganized the Genesis 3 Design Group into GENESIS® University in 2012. When GENESIS merged with the National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF) in 2016, Peterson became Director of Education for GENESIS, a position he held until forming Watershape University.

Paolo Benedetti, IWI

Paolo Benedetti, IWI

President/CEO — Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa

Paolo Benedetti is the President/CEO of Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa and Lux Environs, one of the world’s leading luxury design and build construction firms. Since 1993, Aquatic Technology has been a leader in the aquatics industry, having developed many new and cutting-edge concepts. As a licensed pool builder and general building contractor, he has managed the design or construction of residential and commercial aquatics projects, vacation resorts, and high-end luxury residences. After receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management, Paolo continued his post-graduate studies in construction management and technology, architecture and design, material sciences, aquatic design and hydraulics.

Over three decades in the aquatics industry he has developed a faithful following of loyal clients. Their unwavering trust in his attention to detail, evolved into a parallel firm, Lux Environs. Lux Environs was founded to provide these demanding individuals with luxury residential design and consulting services, construction management, owner’s agent – representative and quality control services. As the fiduciary for these high-net-worth individuals, he frequently collaborates with world-class architects, builders and design professionals. His creative, imaginative and ingenious insights have proven invaluable in resolving design dilemmas with cost effective solutions. Clients include heads of state, billionaires, titans of industry, celebrities, sports stars, and those that simply demand the best life has to offer.

Paolo’s projects have spanned the globe, Africa, South America, the Caribbean, Middle East, Europe and across North America. He is court recognized as an expert in construction practices, building codes and trade standards. His firms provide design & consulting services to other builders, property owners and developers; corporate training, project and process evaluations; workmanship assessments; forensic investigations; construction defect inspections; expert witness services; and personal injury litigation support.

Paolo’s work has graced the pages of Architectural Digest, Dwell, LUX, Luxury Real Estate, Residential Design/Build, Dream Home, Millionaire, Conde Naste, Ambiance Piscines, Home World, Ocean Home, LA Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and has appeared on countless TV programs. His projects have twice been granted Masters of Design Awards by Pool & Spa News Magazine. One of only 17 Masters within the Genesis Design Group, Paolo brought his talents to Watershape University upon its inception. He is currently a member of the Watershape University Leadership Team and one of a few that have achieved membership in the prestigious International Watershape Institute (IWI).