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Equipment Wiring
Equipment Pad Wiring:
Most modern pools will have a
"sub-panel" at the equipment pad that
houses the breakers for the electrical
equipment; i.e., the
filter pump, air blower, underwater
light/ electrical outlet (GFCI),
timer clocks, landscape lighting,
electronic
heater, automatic cover,
control systems, etc.. This sub-panel is tied into the main panel inside the house, which provides its power.
Older, simpler pools may simply have a switch to turn the filter
pump on, and perhaps a switch for the underwater light. Remember that water, weather,
and electricity have never been friends. Loose wiring and cover plates, broken conduit and
connections can be hazardous. Exposed wiring, for example, behind the flimsy, usually
broken, protective plastic in a timer clock, can easily throw 220 volts onto wet (or dry)
fingertips. Use caution and use common sense when operating your equipment. If something
looks negligent, call for service immediately.
Timer Clocks
Having your filter pump operate on a
timer clock makes good sense. Most pools
have efficiency in sanitizing, filtering
and circulation such that they don't
need to operate 24 hours a day. Pools
are designed to "turnover" the water in
the pool in eight hours time. We
commonly set time clocks to operate
10 - 14 hours per day, depending on the
efficiency of the system, the ambient
air temperature, amount of sunlight and
debris and the usage the pool receives.
I commonly advise pool owners to operate the filter system during
the day, so that processes are active while the sun is beating down and the pool is most
likely to be in use. This would be something like 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. You may realize lower
electrical consumption if you didn't operate between 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.... peak sunlight hours....
You decide.
Setting a time clock is simple. Inside the box you'll see a 24
hour dial. There are two "timer dogs" on the dial. One turns the timer switch
on, allowing power to go to the filter pump, and the other turns the switch off, stopping
power from going past the timer to the filter pump. Loosening the small screw on the timer
dog allows you to slide the dog to any time on the dial. Reposition and retighten.
More than one set of timer dogs allows
you to run the pump in the morning, and
then late in the afternoon, to avoid
peak usage times.
Timer clock not switching On?
Is the breaker on? The clock and the
switch will only operate with the
breaker on. There may also be loose
wiring connections. (Check this only
with the breaker off). There may be a
visual inspection window to look at the
timer mechanism and see if the gears are
turning. If they are not turning, the
mechanism may need to be replaced. This
means that the clock motor is fried. If
they are turning, check that the dial is
not bent, which would prevent the dogs
from contacting the switch as they come
around. Also check that ants or other
small insects have
not shorted out the contacts.
Can't
turn the timer clock off?
If the clock is close to shutting off,
the dog may prevent you from manually
turning it off by flipping the tab
switch. Pull the dial out and turn the
dog past the switch. Remember to reset
the time in this manner later.
Timer installation:
If you
haven't got a timer on your filter pump, you probably should have.
Timers vary in
price with the voltage, speed and switch requirement. They range from $110 -
$150. They may
also be some connection fittings needed. Usually one hour labor.
Timer replacement:
If the
mechanism in your timer box has given up the ghost, a replacement pops in for under $100.
Labor is definitely under one hour. |
