Filter and Pump |
The core equipment of swimming pool is filter and pump
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| There are many types of filter |
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Sand Filter
A pressure-fed filter is typically placed in line immediately after the water pump. The filter typically contains a media such as graded sand. A pressure fed sand filter is termed a 'High Rate' sand filter,
and will generally filter turbid water down to 10 micrometers in size. [The rapid sand filter type
are periodically 'back washed' as contaminants reduce water flow and increase back pressure.
Indicated by a pressure gauge on the pressure side of the filter reaching into the 'red line' area, the
pool owner is alerted to the need to 'backwash' the unit. The sand in the filter will typically last five
to seven years before all the "rough edges" are worn off and the more tightly packed sand no longer works as intended. |
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Diatomaceous Earth Filter
Some filters use Diatomaceous earth to help filter out contaminants. Commonly referred to
as 'D.E.' filters, they exhibit superior filtration capabilities. Often a D.E. filter will trap
water-borne contaminants as small as 1 micrometer in size. The D.E is typically cleaned
by removal from the filter body and hosing-off down a sewer connection. |
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Cartridge filter
Other filter media that have been introduced to the residential swimming pool market including
paper type cartridge filters of 50 to 150 square feet (14 m2) filter area arranged in a tightly packed 12" diameter x 24" long (300 mm x 600 mm) accordion-like circular cartridge. These units can be 'daisy-chained' together to collectively filter almost any size home pool. The cartridges are also typically
cleaned by removal from the filter body and hosing-off down a sewer connection. |
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Water Pump
An electrically operated water pump is the prime motivator in recirculating the water from the pool.
Water is forced through a filter and then returned to the pool.
Commercial and public pool pumps usually run 6-8 hours a day for the entire operating season of
the pool. Residential pool pumps are typical run for 4-6 hours per day. To save electricity costs most people run for between 6 hours and 12 hours with the pump being controlled by an electronic timer.
Commercial pools require a minimum 4 hour circulation of the total water volume.
Pool pumps typically are "self priming": they may be positioned above the mean water level of
the pool yet still start up and function after a timed rest period. Pumps that do not "self prime"
are termed "flooded suction" and must be gravity fed by the pool by being located below the
mean level of the pool water.
Most pool pumps available today incorporate a small filter basket termed a "hair and lint strainer"
or "lint pot" as the last effort to avoid leaf or hair contamination reaching the close-tolerance impeller section of the pump |
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