7 Typical Flaws in Pool Treatment Pumps

A pool pump is one of the most essential appliances that help maintain the pool water clean, warm, and hygienic. It is necessary to restore or change the pool pump if the pool pump fails to function or gets damaged. (Davey Chlorinator Repairs)

Modern pool pumps available in the market are equipped with many latest technologies, including automatic control, safety devices, and variable-speed motors that help to cut power bills. It has to be noted that all pool pump/motor repairs do not have to be done by the pool owner. Many electrical/maintenance-based pool pump/motor repairs have to be dealt with by a qualified person.

Any sign of wear, unusual noise, or water leakages should be attended to as soon as possible to prevent further damage. Additionally, it is also important that the plumbing system, electrical wiring, and accessories like heaters, chlorinators, and skimmers be regularly checked.

Most manufacturers consider the average life of a pool pump motor to be around 4 to 8 years. The following are the usual causes of pool pump failures and symptoms identifiable in your pool pump.

Examples of Typical Failure Sources for a Pool Pump

1. Bearings in Poor Condition

"This is one of the most common problems that occur in pool pumps. Bearings are quite sensitive to vibration, impact, and corrosion. The motor will typically begin to make unusual sounds such as buzzing or grinding noises, which lets the owner know that the bearings should be replaced,"

It is advisable to have a checkup carried out by a professional every four years. Other than the increased noise, the bearings also bring along increments in electricity consumption.

Usually, both the front and rear bearings will have to be replaced together despite noticing only one of them to be defective.Bearings are amongst the most highly stressed parts of the motor and require appropriate lubrication to avoid rust, particularly in case of infrequent use of the pump.

In modem pump designs, bearings are generally pre-lubricated. Moreover, if the mechanical seal loses its tightness, water will leak into the bearing nearest to the wet section in the pump; this will lead to corrosion and lockup of the motor shaft.

2. Dirty Impeller

Impellers tend to clog, esp. when large particles find their way into a damaged or overloaded pump basket. Clogging inhibits the flow rate of water and decreases the pressure of filtration, which can be observed at the return jets present in the pool.

Excessively murky water and damaged baskets may fully jam the impeller, risking a motor burn-out and/or a damaged impeller shaft if protection is inadequate.

3. Pump Running Without Appropriate Priming

There also has to be a supply of water to pool pumps to enable it to work on the suction side, which is called priming. But pool pumps come along as manual or self-priming pool pumps.

If the dry-running condition causes dryness, it may result in the motor shaft rpm speeding up because it lacks any opposing force. The motor may also get overheated, hence burning up its windings. In addition, the mechanical seal may get overheated and develop leaks along the shaft.

4. Motor Winding Short Circuit

A short circuit may result if the water seeps into the windings of the motor, usually because of a damaged mechanical seal or O-rings. This might happen because of flooding or heavy rains.

Electric surges, fluctuations in power, or micro power cuts that occur during storms can also hamper the motor. If there’s a burn-out in the starting winding, rewinding of the whole motor is required, since it’s not possible to repair separate coils.

Shut down immediately in order to avoid motor damage.

5. Motor Overhe

This could be due to conditions of overload, including a high current draw, stuck bearings, voltage problems, or a short circuit. Stuck bearings cause the motor to work harder, thus drawing more current and causing the motor to overheat.

A faulty capacitor may also create startup problems. When the microfarad rating of a capacitor gets lowered, the pump may vibrate or hum rather than start. As soon as trouble is identified during startup, a technician should check and replace this capacitor, if necessary.

6. Motor Burned Due to Negligence

Misconnections in the electrical wiring of motors are often the causes for failures. A 230V swimming pool motor can become defective if the wires are incorrectly connected.

Installing a properly grounded wall socket and connecting the pump as instructed precisely by the manufacturer is advisable using the supplied cable.

Another common error that often occurs is the loss of the protective covering of the computer’s fan. The protective covering of the computer’s fan has two very

Protects users from the Rotating Fan

The cooling of air towards the motor.

Otherwise, it may result in a motor that is overheated or even fails.

7. Mechanical Seal Failure

All pool pumps employ a mechanical seal to keep the wet hydraulic part away from the electric motor. This seal, placed behind the impeller, will wear down with time.

Operating the pump with the water off increases the rate at which the seal deteriorates, creating leaks which can corrode the bearings in the motor. In extreme situations, leaks in the pump, if located below the water level in the pool, may drain the pool.

Early maintenance of small leaks can save significant water as well as repair costs because repairing small leaks can prevent larger losses of water.

Final Recommendations

The Performing regular maintenance tasks, catching potential problems early, and having a professional inspection of your pool pump are essential in extending the life of your pool pump. It is also important to address minor issues regarding the pump to prevent costly repairs.  (Astral VX Chlorinator no flow)