Salt electrolysis characteristics for swimming pools

What are the components of salt electrolysis for swimming pools?

A sparkling pool, with minimal maintenance hassle, is possible. Salt electrolysis is one of the ways to treat pool water with peace of mind, for the happiness of the whole family and the pride of its owners. To choose wisely and optimize the performance of this equipment, it is important to understand the role of each component of salt electrolysis.

How is salt electrolysis composed?

The salt electrolyzer consists of two fundamental elements, the control box and the cell. What are their respective roles and characteristics?

The cell of the salt electrolyzer

The cell is protected in a transparent production chamber, allowing the cleanliness of the electrodes and the flow of water to be checked.
The cell can be monopolar or bipolar. The first requires little salt (less than 4g/l) and is reliable over time. The second requires more salt (at least 5 g/l), is capable of producing a large amount of chlorine, but is more fragile.
The electrodes are in the form of grids or plates. They are made of titanium and coated with iridium and ruthenium, precious metals. Thanks to a low voltage current, they transform salt into chlorine. They act as catalysts.
The electrodes quickly accumulate limescale, limiting the production of gaseous chlorine. Therefore, they need to be cleaned regularly. However, if the cell has polarity inversion, it becomes self-cleaning. This helps to limit limescale deposits on the electrodes and maintain optimum performance.
The cell is installed in bypass on the pool return circuit and connected to its control box.

The control box of the electrolyzer

An important feature, the electrolyzer operates at water temperatures above 16°C.
The box controls the production of gaseous chlorine, it is the one that controls the cell. It is placed in the technical room and connected to the pool's electrical box.
Its structure is made of molded ABS, which gives it very good resistance to shocks and heat. This material is easily recyclable.
A screen allows you to visualize:
- device programming, for example, to adjust the chlorine production level,
- general operating information such as salt concentration,
- alert messages: low or too high salt level, etc.

Options for the salt electrolyzer

The ORP control can be included in the salt electrolysis. This allows the chlorine production to be automated taking into account the Redox potential. The cell's lifespan is thus extended.
The pH regulator can also be integrated into the electrolysis. It measures the pH value thanks to a probe and corrects it. These two devices can complement electrolysis in a single equipment.
A function can decrease chlorine production when the submerged cover is closed. For automatic start-up, the electrolyzer is connected to the cover's electrical box on the end-of-travel contact. This mode is also recommended for pools covered by a low shelter or a safety cover.
A flow sensor can be very helpful as it stops chlorine production when the water flow in the filtration system pipes is low or nonexistent.
A salinity sensor located near the electrodes can measure water conductivity. Based on the information it collects, alerts will be displayed or it will stop the electrolyzer.
A temperature probe allows to regulate or stop chlorine production when the water temperature is too cold.
It is possible to choose a "super chlorination" or "Booster" mode, especially during high pool usage, stormy weather, or need for shock chlorination... or to decrease chlorine production.
For a connected pool, information is synchronized with a smartphone. This allows you to control the filtration system, disinfectant production level, projectors, etc. remotely. All you need is a control box, a suitable free or subscription-based application, and a Wi-Fi connection.

Salt electrolysis is an automatic water treatment. Its characteristics allow to understand the device and to choose the one that best suits the pool and everyone's expectations. Professionals have all the knowledge to help, advise, and guide their customers.

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