Pool pumps are wired to run on either 230V or 115V. Most are run on 230V and are preset at the manufacturers at 230V. If you are going to wire your own pool pump, you must first know what voltage is coming to your pump from the house circuit breaker. Also you must ensure that the electrical supply agrees with the motor's voltage, phase, and cycle and that all electrical wiring conforms to local codes and NEC regulations. If you are unsure of this voltage or are unfamiliar with electrical codes and regulations, have a professional electrician wire your pump for you or at least check your work.
Failure to wire the pump correctly can cause electrical shock or can damage your pump motor and void your warranty.
Henry Posted: 6/7/2012
Hi - I just got a two speed pump installed. There is no switch on the pump. The electrician put two separate switches on the wall, one for on/off and one for high/low. My question is, can I harm the pump by switching speeds without first switching the pump off? Is it recommended to switch pump off before switching speeds or it doesn't matter? My electrician suggested switching off before changing speeds, but I am concerned someone else (i.e. pool cleaning service) will come along and change speeds without switching off first.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 6/6/2012
Puckhawg 2 - An AC pump motor cannot be reversed. With minor exception, they all run counter clockwise when you are looking at them from the pump end. CCWPEReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 6/6/2012
Puckhawg 1- You have to match your timer to your pump power. If you have a 220V pump, you must use a 220V timer. A 115V pump uses a 115V timer.Reply
Puckhawg Posted: 6/5/2012
Is it also true if the 220 line leads are reversed the motor will run backwards?Reply
Scott Posted: 6/5/2012
OK, thanks for the information about wire either white or black on L1 & L2. I think part of my problem is the run length from the fuse box to my switch (about 100 ft.) 120 volt, 20 amps 12 gauge wire. The reference material states the run should be between 37 to 48 feet max for a 1 HP pump. I measured the voltage without load at the switch: 122 volts (fyi: pump is about 6 feet away from the switch). I turned the pump on and measured about 117 volts under load. I checked again after about 4 hours, same measurement about 117 volts. Seems with-in the normal range. Do you know if the thermal protection switch in the pump automatically kicks the power back on after it cools off or if you have to turn the power off and wait for the thermal switch to cool off before it will start to run again? I think I will be changing and run a 220 circuit. Pump should run cooler. I'm going to make one more check and make sure the terminals and the black plug lines up correctly. Thanks for the helpReply
Puckhawg Posted: 6/5/2012
Thanks - Great site, very informative and extremely helpful. In the process of installing a 2 speed Hayward pump with a switch to go from 110v to 220v. Sounds straight forward on the pump end. Do I need to do anything special the timer?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 6/5/2012
Scott - According to the mfr, the white and black can be swapped between L1 and L2. There is no difference in motor operation. Ground wires are usually bare. You may have to have an electrician look at your pump to see why it's cutting off.Reply
Scott Posted: 6/4/2012
Hello, First thanks for this site. I have a 120 volt line (black) going into the pump plus a white ground and bare ground. In your step 8, I assume the black line is the power 120 volts and be connected to terminal #3 and the white line is the ground and to be attached to terminal #1, move the black plug to point at 115 volt label. Please confirm and additiionally should I change the bare ground wire to an insulated wire? Last item, what happens if the black and white wires are reversed. I believe this is what I did. The pump works for about 10+ hours then kicks off. Does this make sense?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 6/2/2012
Frustrated - If your pump runs again after it cools off, it sounds like you have 120V coming into your pump and not 220V. Your second question: if you do have 220V coming into your pump - both black lines hot - it does not matter which goes to L1 and L2. Recheck your wiring. If you see nothing wrong, have an electrician look at it.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 5/31/2012
CMA 123 - We do not sell most motor parts other than bearings and capacitors. You might be able to match up with something in a hardware storeReply
frustrated Posted: 5/31/2012
just installed an AOSmith 1 HP motor to Hayward pump.I have two black lines from teh breaker and one green ground. Lines measured 250v and switch inside moter was set to the 230 setting. Turned on and ran fine for five min. and then overheated and seized up. Does it matter which black line goes to L1 or L2? Any other suggestions>
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InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 5/28/2012
Ginger - You may have a break in the electrical wire to you motor. Try replacing that line.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 5/28/2012
Extra blades - I know of no installation where they are required.Reply
CMA123 Posted: 5/27/2012
where can i buy the terminal plastic part where where you connect the wires?Reply
Ginger Posted: 5/26/2012
Our pump has just died. We disconnected it completely and tested it with other wiring. It worked fine. We replaced the plug and it still does not work. Could we have put the white and black wires on incorrectly? Any advice to help us with this? Or, do we need an electrician to check this out.Reply
Anonymous Posted: 5/26/2012
These directions were wonderful and clear.Thanks a lot.
Only one question: why are there all those open blades (3 of 5) for the two leads?
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InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 5/22/2012
bill - Check you power coming into the pump. If it's 115V and your pump is set up for 220V. it will heat up and stop until it cools off.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 5/22/2012
llritchey - AO Smith rep said they have seen something like that previously where the governor was striking the side of a switch at low speed. They are looking into it more. He recommends running the motor at high speed until this is resolved. Please give me your email address so I can ask more questions.Reply
bill Posted: 5/21/2012
i just replaced my pump with a new one. it starts on low, then when i switch to high speed, it gets really hot and stops.i have 20 amps breaker on GFI, new Hayward model sp267x102s
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llritchey Posted: 5/16/2012
We replaced an AO Smith single speed pump motor with an AO Smith two speed motor. It runs fine on high speed, but on low speed it makes a loud clicking noise every second. It does not overheat or turn the motor off. Any suggestions?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 5/12/2012
Chad - Make sure the motor's vents are not clogged with debris or dirt; Check you wiring. If you have 110V coming into the motor, make sure the motor is configured for 110V and not 220V; Check your line voltage to the motor at different times of the day. If it's ever 10% higher than standard voltage, call your power company; check for obstructions clogging the impeller; and one more: look at the surface factor (SF) on your old and new pump. They should be the same. Actual or total HP is determined by multiplying the stated HP and the SF. If the SF of your new pump motor is significantly lower than your old pump motor, like 1.0 vs 1.5, your new pump has less total HP than the old and may be working harder.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 5/12/2012
rob - Make sure the motor's vents are not clogged with debris or dirt; Check you wiring. If you have 110V coming into the motor, make sure the motor is configured for 110V and not 220V; Check your line voltage to the motor at different times of the day. If it's ever 10% higher than standard voltage, call your power company; check for obstructions clogging the impeller.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 5/12/2012
Chris - Sounds like the wires are crossed. Check with Hayward on this. Their number is 908-355-7995.Reply
chad Posted: 5/12/2012
Hi,I recently replaced a Heyward 1hp 110v pump with a utilitech 1hp 110v pump. I have 12awg wire. The new pump is overheating and turning off. All valves are fully open and there is ample water flow. Did I simply get a bad pump?
Thanks.
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rob Posted: 5/12/2012
i started my haward super pump today and it sounds and runs good but it gets red hot. the motor got so hot it discolored. what could be wrong.Reply
Chris Posted: 5/11/2012
In step 6 above the black plug shows the black wire on the left and the white wire on the right. My black plug has those 2 wires swiyched. The white wire is on the leftand the black wire is on the right. The plug is not nurned upside down. This motor is rated the same as my old motor. When I turn on the breaker, the motor runs for 3-4 seconds and then trips the breaker.Should i swap the white and black wires? If I do, will this burn my motor up?
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InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 5/10/2012
Chris - If you can move the impeller freely, the motor should be alright. You may have a bad capacitor. Try replacing it.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 5/10/2012
Justin - Check with Hayward on this one. Their number is 908-355-7995.Reply
Cris Posted: 5/10/2012
Hello,I have a Hayward superpump that is about 2 years old . When I went to start it up at the beginning of the season it hummed and shut off . I checked the wiring and there was some charting so I replaced all the wiring. Still when I turn it on it hums for 5-10 seconds then trips the breaker. I took the housing off and when I turn it on the impeller turns just slightly and then stops. Is the motor likely seized and can I fix this? Also my wiring is set for 115 volts and I have black wire going to l2 and white to l1 and ground to green. Any help would be greatly appreciated thanks
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Justin Posted: 5/9/2012
The black and white wires are the ones already inside the motor. I have a green and two yellows coming into the pump and want to wire it for 115 volts. Its a hayward gold replacement motor model SP161Oz1MReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 5/3/2012
Jordan - Recheck your wiring against the guide. Many people have used the guide successfully. If you still have a problem, call Hayward direct at 908 355-7995. Their technical staff would be happy to assist you.Reply
Jordan Posted: 5/2/2012
I just bought a new Hayward super pump 1.5 and I hook it up for 115v swapped the plug inside motor for 115v but I get nothing please helpReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 5/2/2012
Joe,Glad you got it working! The Pentair number is 1 800 831-7133
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Joe Posted: 5/2/2012
Son of a gun, you're right. It was right there on the pump label. I set the jumpers as you said and fired it up. Works like a charm and the pump won't burn out in a few months now. The pressure has kicked up to 31, but I'm guessing that's because I went from a 1hp to a 1.5hp motor. I guess I'll start fiddling with the return jet sizes to help lower that pressure.Thanks for the help.
ps: I tried to find a Pentair Tech number to call but couldn't find one. Can you share that number with us?
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InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 4/30/2012
Joe - Pentair said that the wiring instructions are on the motor label under "low voltage". You should have 4 terminals lined up labeled B, L1, L2 and A. For high voltage, you should see a white wire on B and a brown wire on A. For low voltage move the white wire to L2 and move the brown wire to B. Nothing on L1 and A. I'll send a copy of the label to you via email.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 4/30/2012
jesse - I just talked to Hayward - the only tab they know of is on a Above Ground Matrix motor used to lock in the position of the port - top or side. It would not affect the motor. He suggests checking your voltage to the pump. If you have 110V coming into the pump from the house and your pump is set for 230V, the motor will shut off. Also recheck your pump wiring against the guide instruction.Reply
Joe Posted: 4/29/2012
When my WhisperFlo 1HP motor died, I replaced the whole unit with the WF-26 011773 1.5hp model.Both are dual voltage and it was a 20 minute swap. But after lackluster performance and several days of checking all my lines, hoses, sweeper and filters, I double checked the voltage at the pump – 110v. I had assumed it was 220 because it had 2 red wires at the pump, but the timer box only has the black, white & green as input with 110v. Someone had used 2 red wires to go to the pump.
The Pentair doesn’t have the voltage indicator like the Hayward so how do I set the pump for 110v instead of the ‘prewired for 230’ factory setting?
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jesse Posted: 4/28/2012
I just replaced my pump with the hayward, I turn it on it it immediately shuts off, what can be wrong?I thought i saw something on the inside about removing a tab, does that have to be done
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InyoPools Product Specialist Dennis R. Posted: 4/28/2012
Give Hayward a call on this one. Their tecnical staff at 1-866-772-2100 will have the answer.Reply
Anonymous Posted: 4/27/2012
How do you change from 240v to 115v on Hayward tristar pump? It looks different than what this article has. Looks more like a dial, but not sure if I'm suppose to turn it. Don't want to break it. Tried turning but didn't move. Don't want to use too much force if I'm not suppose to. Thanks!Reply