What Is A Saltwater Pool Chlorinator, And How Does It Work?

This may seem like common sense to some people, but you'd be surprised at the number of times we get asked this question: What is a saltwater pool chlorinator, and how does it work?

Before diving into the ins and outs of pool chlorinators, we would like to use the diagram below to point out how they are crucial to keeping your pool functional and healthy.

There are, of course, different ways to sanitise your pool. You can add chemicals to the water manually, but it can be inconvenient, or you can use a saltwater pool chlorinator if you want an easier way to maintain your pool.

How Do Saltwater Pool Chlorinators Work?

The pool chlorine generators (AKA saltwater pool chlorinators) create their own chlorine, eliminating the need to add chlorine manually to your pool.

Saltwater Pool Chlorinators use an electrolytic cell to sanitise your swimming pool by adding a small amount of salt to the pool water. This converts the chloride in the salt water into chlorine, killing bacteria and other microorganisms that can cause illness. This process is much more efficient and cost-effective.

Saltwater pools eliminate red eyes and skin irritations caused by conventional chlorinated pools. They also eliminate harsh chemical odours, which can be a significant problem with traditional pools. Baracuda saltwater pool chlorinators use technology to create and dispense chlorine into your pool water automatically. The salt content of the water is so low that it's undetectable to taste, making it gentle on the skin and enjoyable to swim in. Alternatively, you can choose many of the mineral salt blends available on the market with a Baracuda chlorine generator to add that little bit of luxury to your pool water.

The control board allows you to adjust the chlorine level in your pool. Some models even let you connect a salt chlorinator to a pool automation system, allowing you to control it by a remote or mobile device, such as an iPad or iPhone.

What Are The Benefits Of Using Saltwater Pool Chlorinators?

1. Fewer chemicals

While chlorine is present in the pool, you won't need to use as many sanitising chemicals. This saves you money and time and makes caring for your pool much more environmentally friendly - and the best part is there's no strong chlorine odour around the pool!

2. Minimal maintenance

A pool chlorinator requires minimal maintenance and is an easy-to-use device that automatically adds chlorine. You can set it to run in conjunction with your filtration pump so that the system runs automatically when you're not there. However, you should still conduct regular pool water testing to ensure everything is in balance.

3. Cost Effective

Pool chlorinators are slightly more expensive than standard pool systems upfront, but they save you money in the long run because they reduce the amount of chemicals needed and the frequency of maintenance.

Note: The salt cell has a limited lifespan and will need to be replaced periodically (roughly 5-7 years, depending on use). This is similar to the periodic services required for a car - the tyres to be replaced or need oil changes.

4. Smart features

The latest generation of pool chlorinators offers you remote monitoring and control using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Some even come with smart sensors that can automatically regulate the amount of chlorine in cold water to prevent excessive wear and tear on the salt cell.

Bottom Line

A saltwater pool chlorinator is an easy-to-install and maintained device to sanitise your swimming pool via electrolysis. If you're interested in learning more about how a saltwater chlorinator works, or you want to chat with someone before you purchase one, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.