How does a saltwater chlorinator work?

A saltwater chlorinator includes an electrolytic cell that is plumbed into the filtration pipework and operates during the pool’s pumping and filtration cycles.

Pool Salt or Pool Mineral products containing chlorides, are added to the pool water at levels recommended by the manufacturer. The Salt or Minerals combine with the electrolytic cell to produce chlorine sanitiser. 

The level of salt required is much lower than occurs in the ocean and has around the same salinity level as your tears, so the water is soft, comfortable and not too salty to taste.

As the saltwater (or minerals) passes through the electrolytic cell, a low current passes through the water and splits the Chlorides in the water, into a sanitiser; sodium hypochlorite and hypochlorous acid (Chlorine).

Some chlorinator cells have self-cleaning technology to minimise the amount of calcium that can deposit on the cell’s metal plates. These types of cells are often called ‘reverse-polarity’ cells. Reverse-polarity cells make pool ownership even easier for you, by reducing the need to clean the cell plates.

Saltwater Chlorinators also have the ability to automatically run your pump and filtration cycles. They typically have power outlets to connect your pump and in-built timers that allow you to set the times of day when you want the pump and chlorinator to operate.

Clark Rubber also have saltwater chlorinators which feature connections and switches for pool lights and the most advanced saltwater chlorinators can sense the sanitiser levels in the pool and dose pool chemicals like acid and manage chlorine outputs accordingly.