Looking For A Pool Electrician?
Summer is here and she’s not playing around! Being a pool owner, especially in summer is great until something needs fixing. You may have an idea of what the problem could be, but it’s always a good idea to call a professional pool electrician.
Every pool has electrical components keeping it clean and well lit, but since day one we were taught that water and electricity are a dangerous combination. An electrician will be able to diagnose and fix any of your pool’s problems safely while ensuring that all other safety measures are in place and working as well.
Common Problems And Their Causes
A number of electrical components mean a number of possible problems and causes, the most common are:
Burnt Underwater Bulbs
Pool lighting can be extremely effective but their repair or replacement can be a little tricky because of their location. If your pool light has stopped working, the most obvious reason would be that the bulb has died and needs to be replaced.
Unfortunately, though, it isn’t always as simple as that. It’s not uncommon for the pool chemicals to eat away at the electrical cord at the back of the light. This means that water is able to get into the fixture, causing the light to short. Other causes could be that there is a short in a wire, a broken switch, or a bad breaker panel.
The best thing to do in these cases would be to replace the entire fixture, simultaneously fixing the leak and the burnt bulb.
Automation Problems
While a time-saver, pool automation can cause a lot of problems if something goes wrong. Pool automation uses digital microprocessors to monitor the pH levels of a pool, adjusting the balance when necessary. One problem could be that the microchips in the system have gone bad and need replacing. Another problem, if your system is not wireless, is a loose connection. Both of which can be diagnosed and fixed by a pool electrician.
Pool Pump Issues
Possibly the biggest electrical problem for pools will have something to do with the pump or motor. Whether it stops working altogether or works at a low level, the most common cause has been found to be a loose connection. Some other possible causes could be:
- A blown fuse in the motors power board
- Voltage fluctuations interfering with the pump
- Problems with the wiring
- Electrical problem with the pump timer clock
- Electrical problem with the motor disconnect switch
Without receiving the correct voltage, all of these problems could cause the pool pump to malfunction.
Why Is A Pool Electrician Necessary?
While there are some DIY electrical jobs considered to be safe, there are very few! The best thing to do is to call a licensed electrician, especially when it comes to your pool lighting. Besides being able to diagnose and fix your pools electrical problems, an electrician will know to ensure that the following is done:
Bonding
Bonding is when all parts of your pool (the pump, heater, and ladder) are electrically connected to build a grid. Without bonding, a fault in the system may cause one of these parts to become energized. This electrical current will look for a less energized component to pass onto- a component that could be us!
Grounding
This involves electrically attaching powered equipment to the ground. Grounding means that if there is a fault in the system causing excess current to pass through the panel, it will be absorbed by the ground. At the same time, the circuit breaker will trip, instantly shutting off the power.
Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)
A GFCI is a relatively inexpensive but absolutely necessary item for every pool owner. Its job is to monitor the level of electrical current flowing, instantly shutting off if an imbalance is detected. A GFCI can save lives but only if it is installed properly and up to code standards by a licensed electrician.
Any electrical problems should be seen to by a licensed electrician, even more so when there is water involved! If you’re experiencing any of these problems or have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to call our trusted team at Art Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electric at 1-800-475-1504!
