Pentair IC20 - Manual (Page 17)

9
IntelliChlor Electronic Chlorine Generator Installation and User’s Guide
Section 2
Pool Water Chemistry, Conditions
and Precautions
This section describes the start up procedure and operating instructions for IntelliChlor Electronic Chlorine
Generator.
Pool Water Chemistry, Conditions and Precautions
1. New Pool Water: A recently filled or newly-refinished pool may contain undesirable matter. This
undesirable matter could interfere with IntelliChlor’s ability to chlorinate properly. Make sure the
water is tested by a pool professional and properly balanced before switching on the IntelliChlor
Electronic Chlorine Generator.
WARNING - Salt is an inherently corrosive material. While the levels of salt required for proper operation of
the IntelliChlor Electronic Chlorine Generator are relatively low when compared to sea water and other salt
solutions, placing any amount of salt in your pool increases the likelihood of corrosion or other deterioration of
pool equipment and any surfaces used in and around your pool. Metal parts and certain natural and man-made
surfaces are particularly susceptible to corrosion and deterioration when used in and around salt water pools.
Pentair Water Pool and Spa does not represent or otherwise guarantee that the proper use of the IntelliChlor
Electronic Chlorine Generator will prevent corrosion or other deterioration of pool equipment and any surfaces
used in and around your pool. Consult your experienced pool professional, who should be able to advise you on
the proper material selection, installation techniques for those materials, and the proper use, care and
maintenance of those materials for your specific pool type and location in order to minimize the corrosion and
deterioration that is inherent in and around salt water pools.
2. pH produced by IntelliChlor Electronic Chlorine Generator is close to Neutral pH. However, other
factors usually cause the pH of the pool water to rise. Therefore, the pH in a pool chlorinated by
IntelliChlor tends to stabilize at approximately 7.8. This is within APSP standards. If the pool pH rises
above 7.8, have a pool professional test the pool water to see if other factors such as high Calcium
Hardness or Total Alkalinity are the cause and then balance accordingly.
3. Super Chlorination burns out the swimmer waste that has combined with chlorine. This frees the
chlorine for sanitizing. This is accomplished by raising the chlorine level quickly and dramatically.
When the chlorine level is raised to ten (10) times the amount of combined chlorine (usually 5 to 10
ppm) the pool water is said to have been super chlorinated. As pool water is continuously passed
through the IECG while the unit is powered on, all pool water inside the IECG is being super
chlorinated. When the IntelliChlor Electronic Chlorine Generator is used on pools, the pool water
sparkles and does not burn the eyes because of the absence of chloramines.
Note: On initial start-up of a pool, it is best to super chlorinate using an outside source, i.e.,
use a shock treatment available at your local pool supplier.
4. Chloramines should not be present in pool water. Chloramines are formed when ammonia (which is
found in urine and sweat) combine with free chlorine. This ties up the free chlorine in your pool and
does not allow the chlorine in your pool to disinfect. Chloramines also burn the eyes and are foul
smelling. Super Chlorinate to remove chloramines at the initial start-up of the pool and as needed to
maintain proper levels of free chlorine.
5. Cyanuric acid is needed in outdoor pools to help to stabilize and maintain proper levels of chlorine.
90% of unstabilized chlorine is destroyed by the UV radiation from the sun within two hours.
Cyanuric acid stabilizes chlorine in water from UV degradation. When using the IECG, the cyanuric
acid level should be maintained between 50-80 ppm. See Table 3, on page 14. NOTE: DO NOT USE
CYANURIC ACID IN INDOOR POOLS.