How To Wire A Pool Pump

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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.

Things You'll Need

Video

Step by Step

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Step 1

Measure the voltage on the wires going to your pool pump. See "How To Use a Multimeter to Test a Pool Pump Motor - Voltage". This voltage will be either 230-240V or 115-120V. Pool Pump manufacturers commonly list these as 230V or 115V. Generally you will have three wires coming to your pump. For 230V you will generally have a red, a black and a green wire. The red and black wires are both hot. There is no neutral. The green wire is always ground. For 115V the three wires are generally black (hot), white (neutral) and green (ground).

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Step 2

CAUTION: Before you start wiring your pool pump, turn off all power to the pump at the breaker box.

Step 3

Unscrew the two screws that hold the cover over the back end of the motor. Remove the cover to expose the electrical connectors.

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Step 4

Screw a metal elbow onto your pool pump at the end of the motor.

Step 5

Run conduit from the metal box to the pump. String your three wires thru the conduit and metal elbow into the end of the motor. Screw the conduit collar onto the end of the elbow. Ensure that your wire size is adequate for the HP rating and distance from the power source. Check your pool pump owners manual for the correct size. Wire sizes generally run 14 AWG for motors up to 1 HP and from 14 AWG to 10AWG for larger motors depending on HP and Voltage.

Step 6

If you are wiring for 230V, the three wires coming to the pool pump from the circuit box are red, black and green. In this example for Hayward pool pumps, red will go to the L1 terminal and black will go to the L2 terminal. The green wire will be under the green screw to the far right. In addition there is a black plug with two wires coming from inside the motor , a black wire and white wire with a black tracer line. The black plug is positioned so that the white arrow on top of the 2 prong black plug is pointing at 230V.

Step 7

For clarification, this picture shows the terminals without the wires. The red wire is attached to terminal 1 of Line 1 (L1). The black wire is attached to terminal 3 of Line 2 (L2). The green wire is attached to Ground (GND). The black plug is positioned so that the black wire is attached to terminal 5. For 230V the white wire is not attached.

Step 8

If you are wiring for 115V, the three wires to the pool pump will be black, white and green. Attach the black (115 V) wire to terminal 1 of Line 1 (L1). Attach the white wire (0 V) to terminal 3 of Line 2 (L2). Attach the green wire under the Ground screw (GND). The black plug is shifted in position so the black wire is attached to terminal 4 Line 2 (L2) and the white wire is attached to terminal 5. Note: in this position the white arrow on top of the 2 prong black plug is pointing at the 115V label.

Step 9

Replace the pool pump motor cover and secure it with the two screws.

Step 10

Lastly your pool pump motor must be bonded in accordance with local electrical code requirements. Use a solid copper conductor, size 8 AWG or larger. Run this wire from from a reinforcing rod to the pressure wire connector provided on the motor housing. Note: In this example the wire coming from the bottom of the picture is going to the pump. The upper wire is going to the heater to bond the heater.

Comments

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(41 to 80 of 484)

 Posted: 6/17/2020 

Appreciate you making this page. step 7 made it clear. L1 and L2 and terminals...seeing those numbers made something simple very clear with a picture
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InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 9/2/2020 

Glad to help. Thank you for reading!
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 Posted: 5/23/2020 

i have a new 2HP INGROUND POOL PUMP 5850GPH DUAL VOLTAAGE MOTOR WITH DAMAGE THE WIRING DOES NOT LOOK LIKE YOUR PICTURES , I HAVE 30 amp Service ,
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InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 10/23/2020 

What is the part, model, or catalog number on your motor's label? A picture of the motor label would be most helpful.
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 Posted: 3/25/2020 

Similar question about wiring hayward pump for 230. Exisiting setup has 2 blue wires and green for ground. Is it correct that either blue wire can be connected to either terminal. Tks
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InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 3/31/2020 

If you are wiring for 230, and have two hot lines, and one green; no matter the color of the wire, one hot line goes to one terminal and repeat for the other terminal
 Reply

 Posted: 1/11/2020 

I have two black wires one from "load out" and the other is to" line in"which one gore to L1?
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InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 1/13/2020 

Are you wiring for 120 or 240?
 Reply

 Posted: 1/15/2020 

I have the same situation - Two black wires and a ground wire. Hooking up a 230 variable speed motor - ECM16SQU.
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InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 1/17/2020 

Because it is 230 volts, both lines are carrying 115 volts; so it does not matter which line goes to which terminal. One black wire goes to L1; the other black wire goes to L2. There is no wrong answer.The green ground wire goes to the green screw adjacent to the L1 and L2.
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 Posted: 6/25/2019 

Hello I have a Pentair Clean and clear 150 with a AO Smith motor… My switch burned up, I replaced it and need a diagram to re plug the wires back in… Need three from power and the ones going to the white panel… Please help I’ve been working on this for days Thanks Chuck
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InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 7/9/2019 

The Clean and clear is a filter, but the motor is mounted to the pump housing. If you need a wiring diagram for a specific motor we would need the part or catalog number of the motor.
 Reply

 Posted: 5/29/2019 

I have watched your video and another YouTube video about connecting a 115V pool motor. Your video says the white wire is L1 and the black is L2 the other video is the exact opposite. Does it matter?
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 5/30/2019 

On the side of every pool pump motor, there is a wiring diagram for that specific model. Follow the wiring guidelines listed on that tag.
 Reply

 Posted: 5/17/2019 

I have a new Century AO Smith SQ1102 pump for my pool.... installation has been pretty straightforward except that the input power terminals are not labeled L1 and L2. With my red and blue power wires (230v), is there polarity with respect to the terminals? I don't want accidentally run the pump in reverse, you know?
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InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 5/17/2019 

Hello Scott - There is no polarity. It will not run in reverse. 
 Reply

 Posted: 5/17/2019 

OUTSTANDING!
 Reply

Anonymous  Posted: 4/23/2019 

This video was very helpful. Thank you. Also, I am a customer that order parts from your co. I am awaiting for an Impeller.
 Reply

 Posted: 3/30/2019 

Can you change out a 110 V in to a 220V Yes or No
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 4/1/2019 

I need you to clarify your question because it is a little vague. Are you trying to wire a 115-volt motor so that it accepts 230 volts? Or are you trying to switch a dual voltage motor from 115 to 230? Or are you wanting to change out a 115 motor for a whole new 230 motor?
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 Posted: 1/17/2019 

I have seen on several videos some impellers have a wear ring and some don't. If mine does not have a wear ring but the impeller keeps falling out can I put one on to hold impeller in place when trying to reconnect motor into housing?
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InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 1/17/2019 

Hello Tom - What is the make and model of your pump?
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 Posted: 11/21/2018 

My pump has the L1/2 and L3/4 but no black plug connection I've wired the red to L1 and black to L2 and the green to ground on a astral pump is that ok?
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 11/27/2018 

Hello Timothy - to determine if that is the right set up, we would need to know the model or part or catalog number of the motor's tag. Can you provide that info? You can also refer to the wiring guide on the side of the motor for wiring guidance. 
 Reply

 Posted: 9/18/2018 

Hello Dan - yes that wiring explanation is correct.
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 Posted: 9/17/2018 

Hello, I'm conforming my connections. From my panel/timer I have dbl pole breaker. Line 1 has 120v Line 2 has 120v then I have ground. I assume Load 1 120v goes to L1 and Load 2 120v goes to L2 and Green to GND. Both the Load wires are RED GND is Green. Does this sound correct to you? Thanks for your help.
 Reply

 Posted: 9/5/2018 

Hello David - Two speed pumps are not dual voltage. If your motor label says 230v, you can't test it on 110v. If the motor is 110v, you can run the hot line (usually black) to the low or high speed terminal, the neutral line (usually white) to the common terminal, and the ground line to the ground terminal (green screw).
 Reply

 Posted: 9/3/2018 

I have an old pump that I'm trying to wire up to see if it works. I have 4 wires coming out of the motor. How would I wire it up just to see if it's still good? The four wires are red, blue, white, and black. How would I wire it to a 110 electrical cord to see if it works? Any suggestions would be appreciated. 
 Reply

 Posted: 7/27/2018 

Thanks for helping pool owners. I have bought a kit to rebuild my pentair whispro pool pump motor. A small pressure wire connector provided on the motor housing on back of my motor is broken. Can I just tangle the wire to the broken piece.
 Reply

 Posted: 5/30/2018 

Wiring the way you stated will not impact the rotation or prevent tripping of the GFCI. However, the 115 diagrams on most of the motors have the neutral (white) going to L2 and the hot (black) going to L1. I would wire the way it is stated on the wiring diagram.
 Reply

 Posted: 5/30/2018 

Reinstalling a Hayward 115v super pump from winterization by previous owner. Your article says that WHITE goes to L1 on a 115v installation, and black to L2. My Hayward motor shows LINE to L1. Will WHITE to L1 affect rotation direction or prevent tripping of GFCI?
 Reply

 Posted: 4/24/2018 

Hello Matt - The 115 diagrams on most of the motors have the neutral (white) going to L2 and the hot (black) going to L1. Honestly, it will work either way.
 Reply

 Posted: 4/23/2018 

Hi there, Thanks for the great site, it really helped me when I was trying to wire my new pool pump for 115v. I was wondering if you were able to check my wiring. I'm new to this so please excuse any stupid questions. I purchased the hayward inground super pump 1 HP (SP2607X10A ) I follow your steps to wire it for 115v but the diagram on the pump had the white wire on L1 terminal 2.. does this matter? If you could take a look at the link below, I would really appreciate it. Thanks in advance for the help. Great Site!! Link to photos https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ir1Oq9fcCI2u0HiaJzHMmFFJEbpImdxp?usp=sharing
 Reply

 Posted: 4/16/2018 

Hello Jake - A 2-speed motor requires four wires; high speed, low speed, common, and ground. The colors may be differ on different installations. You'll need to look at the label on the motor to see what line goes where and then match those lines to your timer or control box.
 Reply

 Posted: 4/13/2018 

Hello. Great diagrams but my pump has two black, one red, and the green ground coming in to it. What do I do with the "extra" black wire?
 Reply

 Posted: 11/13/2017 

alex - You wiring sounds correct. To extend your bonding wire to your pump housing, use a copper split bolt (at any h/w store). See Step 23 of our guide on "How to Install a Hayward Aqua Rite Salt Chlorine Generator" for an example of what this bolt looks like and how it is used.
 Reply

 Posted: 11/10/2017 

I just got my new motor back.I have 3 wires blue, red, and green an I connected the wires to the motor. I connected the blue to l1 and red to l2 is that correct. My bonded wire doesn't reach the motor housing.
 Reply

 Posted: 10/22/2017 

Kevin - The underground wire that was attached to the heat pump should be sufficient to bond the pump to the grid. But you might also attach the wire to a steel pipe pounded in the ground as a precaution, since you can't be sure if the underground wire is attached to the grid.
 Reply

 Posted: 10/19/2017 

So that's the thing. have found all grid wires to vacant heat pump. One coming from underground and one that came from pool motor. I have connected other grid wires coming from underground and lanai frame to the pool motor. I still have wire that used to attach to motor and another that runs underground. Do I need to secure the wires to a steel rod pounded into the earth?
 Reply

 Posted: 10/19/2017 

Kevin - Most pools have an electrical grid that all electrical equipment can tie to so everything is operating on a common base. See Steps 7, 8 and 17 of our guide on "How To Build an In-Ground Pool". See if you can find the bonding wire that should have come from the grid to your heater. If you don't have access to this grid, you should at least connect the pump to a steel rod driven into the ground as you suggest.
 Reply