As the summer heats up, pool owners everywhere are starting to soak up the sun and enjoy the benefits of their backyard investment. However, many residential pool and spa owners are only a blink away from a sudden inconvenience and hefty financial setback.
The culprit? Damage to core pool components due to an unexpected, yet entirely avoidable, power surge event. Thankfully, easy-to-install solutions like the Intermatic PS3000 Surge Protective Device help safeguard expensive pool components, letting pool owners make the most of the season.
A Better Understanding of Power Surge
A power surge (sometimes referred to as an electrical surge or voltage spike) is a sudden increase in current in an electrical circuit. Though they last only a millionth of a second, they can affect an entire electrical system, causing damage to connected appliances and devices, as well as hardwired components.
Though commonly associated with thunderstorms and inclement weather conditions, electrical surge events can be triggered in many different ways. The majority of surge events (approximately 60-80 percent) are actually created by large electrical appliances as they switch on and off, as well as from power grid switching issues.
Air conditioners, heat pumps, electric clothes dryers and refrigerators are most likely to spark a power surge issue within the home, while pool pumps, chlorinators and other large pool components are at risk of causing an issue outside.
Whether from a sudden, high-impact instance or through repeated, low-level surges, these voltage spikes are the silent killers responsible for degrading and eroding components within valuable pool components and electrical equipment. Eventually, this damaging process will require maintenance or replacement of components.
Dispelling A Common Misconception
Contrary to popular belief, power surge events can’t be controlled with Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI).
Despite the advanced (and expensive) technology used in pool and spa equipment design, many pool owners think GFCI receptacles or breakers installed in the electrical panel provide sufficient protection from surge events.
Whereas a GFCI is designed to shut down power to an electrical circuit when it detects that current is flowing along an unintended path, such as through water, a surge protective device (SPD) is specifically designed to protect electrical systems by diverting or suppressing surges before they can travel further. This prevents overheating or other damage to electrical equipment.
Proactive Protection with the Intermatic PS3000
Surge protective devices like the Intermatic PS3000 can be installed on the pool’s electrical supply panel or spa disconnect to protect electrical equipment from surges, including:
- Gas and electric high-efficiency heaters
- Single and variable speed pool pumps
- Pool automation systems
- Water feature pumps
- Chlorinators
- Suction cleaners
- Stereo and speaker systems
- >Flat screen televisions
- Portable hot tubs
With a typical installation time of just 10 minutes, adding an SPD is a cost-effective and convenient “insurance policy” for pool and spa owners. The device can be installed onto the pool sub-panel, junction box or spa disconnect and includes a 3-year, $7,500 connected equipment warranty.
The PS3000 includes state-of-the-art Thermally Protected Metal Oxide Varistor (TPMOV®) surge protection technology to eliminate the potentially hazardous failure modes commonly associated with standard MOV technology. Moreover, a green LED indicator light is constantly lit while the unit is in operation. When the LED light is OFF, homeowners will know the device needs to be replaced to ensure ongoing protection.
In a matter of minutes, the PS300 Surge Protective Device can help mitigate the long-term threat of an unexpected power surge, letting homeowners get back to enjoying pool season.