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How an Intermatic Pool Valve Actuator Works

WRITTEN BY: Inyo Pools

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We've mounted an Intermatic Pool Valve Actuator on top of a Diverter Valve to automate the rotation of the Valve Handle through a user controlled panel. This guide shows you how an Intermatic Pool Valve Actuator works. For information on installing an Actuator see our guide on "How To Install a Pool Valve Actuator". For more information on typical applications of a Pool valve Actuator see our guide on "How To Use a Pool Valve Actuator". Although the two referenced guides are written for a Goldline Hayward Actuator, they are generally applicable to most Actuators.

Step by Step

Top

Step 1

VALVE OPEN - First a little refresher on how a Diverter Valve works. The Valve handle is connected to a paddle inside the Valve which can be positioned to shut off one of the two end ports. In the configuration shown in the picture, the handle is positioned between the two end ports leaving the valve open in all three ports. Note: a yellow “T” is superimposed over the Handle to highlight the position of the Handle and paddle. As positioned, the Valve allows water to flow in from the Pool Drain and the Skimmer ports, and to exit to the Pump through the lower center port.

Step 2

VALVE CLOSED TO POOL DRAIN - This picture shows the Valve Handle rotated 90° counter-clockwise which shuts off all water from the pool drain. Water flows from the Skimmer to the Pump.

Step 3

VALVE CLOSED TO SKIMMER - This picture shows the Valve Handle rotated 90° clockwise from center which shuts off all water from the Skimmer. Water flows from the Main Drain to the Pump.

Step 4

ACTUATOR MOUNTED ON VALVE – This is a picture showing the Intermatic Pool Valve Actuator mounted on top of the Diverter Valve in the Standard position with the Actuator mounted over the center piped. This setting is the most commonly used.

Step 5

INSIDE ACTUATOR – The inside of the Actuator with the cover off is shown here. Two Cams stacked on each other are attached to the bottom of the Shaft: The bottom Cam determines the limit of the Shaft's clockwise (CW) rotation. The Shaft will rotate CW until the nub of the bottom Cam comes in contact with the right (CW) switch. The top Cam determines the limit of the Shaft's counter-clockwise (CCW) rotation. The top Cam stops CCW rotation when its nub contacts the left switch

Step 6

FACTORY SETTING - Actuators are sent out from the manufacturer with Cams set for the standard position show above. In this position the Actuator can be commanded to rotate the Valve Shaft CCW until it shuts off the left port or CW until it shuts off the right port.

Step 7

ROTATING COUNTER-CLOCKWISE (CCW) - This picture shows you how the CCW (top) Cam interacts with the switch. Upon command, the Handle rotates CCW until the nub on the top Cam comes in contact with the right switch. This causes the right switch circuit to open which stops the motor with the Handle positioned to shut off the left port.

Step 8

ROTATING CLOCKWISE (CW) - This picture shows you how the CW (bottom) Cam interacts with the switch. Upon command, the Handle rotates CW until the nub on the lower Cam comes in contact with the left switch. This causes the left switch circuit to open which stops the motor with the Handle positioned to shut off the right port. Note: The top Cam has been removed to get a better view of the bottom Cam.

Step 9

VARIATION – To show the flexibility of this Actuator, we've selected this variation of control that allows partial flow through the Main Drain instead of shutting it off completely. With the Valve Handle stopped in about 10 o-clock instead of a 9 o-clock position, the main Port will only be partially closed off allowing some water to flow from the Main Port as well as the Skimmer..

Step 10

CAM SET FOR VARIATION - To set up the Actuator for partial Main Port water flow, rotate and set the top Cam about 10° CCW.. Then, as the Shaft rotates clockwise, the top Cam will come in contact with the right switch sooner causing the Handle to stop at the 10 o-clock position.For more detailed instruction on set Cams, see our guide on "How To Set the Cams on an Intermatic Pool Valve Actuator"