Pool Filters, Pumps & Motors
o Inground pool pumps are commonly reversible in voltage, with the exception of pumps 2hp or greater, which require 220V. Reversible means that the pump motor can accept either 110V or 220V. These motors will come ready to accept 220V if you want to switch it to 110V, follow the label diagram to reverse the voltage. Aboveground pool pumps are often 115V only, wired with a power cord, and plugged into a GFCI outlet.
o When wiring a single speed pool pump motor of either voltage, 3 wires bring power from the breaker, timer or switch, and connect to the terminal board of the motor. The green ground wire connects to the green ground screw, and the other two power leads will connect to the two power terminals marked (usually) L1 and L2. It doesn’t matter which wire goes to which terminal. Hook the wire with needle nose pliers and slip it under the brass screw, and tighten down firmly. The ’hook’ of the wire should be facing to the right so that when you tighten down the screw clockwise, it helps pull the wire into the screw. If the hook is facing left (like a question mark), it will tend to come loose as you tighten down the screw. Female spade connectors can also be used; slipped over the brass terminals adjacent to the screw.
o Wiring two-speed pumps is a little different – there are 4 wires instead of 3. The fourth wire is the low-speed wire. To convert to a dual speed pump, you’ll need to add the fourth wire and switch out the time clock to a two-speed clock, or the PE153 digital time clock, which can accept the fourth wire.
o Wiring a variable speed pump is simpler than a two-speed pump, with the standard 3-wire system used. When installing a VS pool pump, a time clock is not usually needed, since the pump itself can be programmed for run times, and thus replaces the time clock.