{"id":942,"date":"2022-02-06T16:43:12","date_gmt":"2022-02-06T16:43:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/allaboutpools.org\/?p=942"},"modified":"2022-06-24T12:45:39","modified_gmt":"2022-06-24T12:45:39","slug":"how-salt-water-chlorinators-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/allaboutpools.org\/how-salt-water-chlorinators-work\/","title":{"rendered":"How Does a Salt Water Chlorinator Work?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Salt water chlorinators, also known as salt chlorine generators, salt chlorinators, and salt cells, are salt pool cleaning systems that turn dissolved salts into chlorine through electrolysis. The resulting chlorine gas is then used to sanitize the pool, keeping it bacteria-free and algae-free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Due to their cost-effective and environmentally friendly nature, salt water pool chlorinators<\/a> are gradually increasing in popularity and often preferred by most pool owners. Despite their high cost, many agree that salt chlorinators perform better than any other pool cleaning device.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’ve ever found yourself asking, “how does a salt water chlorinator work?” you’re in the right place! This article breaks down everything you need to know about salt chlorinators, including the advantages and disadvantages of owning one yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Basic Need-To-Know Parts of a Salt Water Pool Chlorinator<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Salt water chlorinators come in many different designs, but most of them operate with the same basic components. Along with the primary conversion cell, salt water chlorinators are equipped with a water flow sensor and a control board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conversion Cell<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The conversion cell, usually made with parallel titanium plates coated with iridium or ruthenium, is the part responsible for turning salt into chlorine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As soon as saltwater passes through the cell’s plates, the conversion cell uses electrolysis to produce chlorine gas through hypochlorous acid and sodium hypochlorite<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Control Board<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The conversion cell is powered and charged by the control board. As the name suggests, the control board allows users to control the level of chlorine in the pool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On top of that, the control board lets users connect the salt chlorinator to the pool automation system and control the machine using an external device, such as a remote or a smartphone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The control board also contains information related to your pool’s sanitation, including its salinity levels and temperature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Water Flow Sensor<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The water flow sensor ensures that the cell has the proper amount of water flowing through it. Some sensors are built into the cell itself, while others are plumbed into the line connecting to the salt cell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This part acts as the machine’s protective mechanism. Without proper water flow, the system won’t be able to produce enough chlorine to maintain and sanitize a pool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Exactly Does The Saltwater Swimming Pool Chlorination Process Work?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As we’ve discussed, saltwater chlorination is the process of turning salt into hypochlorous acid or sodium hypochlorite. But before that, your pool’s water must have a salt concentration of at least 3,000 ppm (parts per million) for the machine to operate. In other words, you need about 200 pounds of pure pool grade salt per every 10,000 gallons of water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luckily, salt is fairly inexpensive and can be obtained by bulk in most cleaning stores. It’ll take approximately 24 hours for the salt to completely dissolve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you turn your salt chlorination system on, the control box immediately sends a safe electrical DC charge to the machine’s cell, prompting it to start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cells then use a process called electrolysis to separate the sodium and chlorine molecules passing through their plates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, the salt in the water turns into hypochlorous acid; the same compound produced when chlorine touches the pool’s water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep in mind that the salt chlorinator doesn’t consume the salt; it simply turns it into another compound. As such, the salt will remain in your pool even when the water evaporates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is good news because it means you won’t have to constantly replace the salt in your pool whenever you want to operate the salt chlorinator. The only time you’ll need to do so is if you backwash the pool or drain the pool entirely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Main Advantages and Disadvantages of Salt Water Chlorinators<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Salt water chlorinators are widely praised for their functionality and efficiency. However, they have their fair share of disadvantages, too. Let\u2019s take a look:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Salt Water Chlorinator Pros<\/h3>\n\n\n\n