Why Pool Control Systems Need Surge Protection
Modern pool control systems make it easy to automate pumps, heaters, lighting, saltwater chlorinators, and other pool equipment. However, the wiring that connects outdoor pool equipment to the pool panel and controls can also provide a direct path for damaging electrical surges caused by nearby lightning strikes. Without proper surge protection, a single storm can damage expensive equipment both at the pool and inside the home or pool house.
When lightning strikes, it generates powerful electromagnetic energy that can get onto copper control and communication wires. Even if a lightning strike never directly hits the property, surge energy can travel through the air or ground and couple onto these wires, travelling into connected electronics. This can destroy pool automation controllers, variable-speed pump drives, and other sensitive equipment. Once the surge enters the building, it can continue to other connected systems, resulting in costly repairs and unexpected downtime.
The best way to protect a pool automation system is to install TPD surge protection at the pool panel, the connected breaker panel. and at both ends of the communication wiring. Surge protection at the pool controls helps stop lightning-induced surges before they enter the control cables, while panel-level surge protection prevents any remaining surge energy from damaging equipment inside the home or pool house. Protecting only one end of the circuit leaves the other end exposed, allowing surge energy to travel along the copper wiring. Please see our Pool House Equipment Surge Protection Diagram for details. A proper TPD surge protection design involves a layered system of surge protection devices (SPDs), not a single device.
Installing TPD surge protection on pool control systems helps extend the life of expensive electronics, reduce service calls, and improve the long-term reliability of the entire pool automation system. Considering the cost of replacing pool controllers, pumps, and other electronic equipment, TPD surge protection is a small investment that can prevent significant damage from a single lightning event.
If you're interested in protecting your pool controls or anything else in a home or building, please contact us at info@tpdsurge.com. We are happy to help find the proper surge protection solution for you!
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