A pool pump is the most important equipment for your swimming pool. It directly circulates the water and indirectly filters, heats and also sanitizes the water.
When it is overheated, you actually should be concerned and take actionable steps to fix it.
After reading this article, you will get the proper answer to why the pool pump is overheating.
So, let’s get into the field!
4 reasons for being your pool pump so hot
Firstly, if you ask how much hot your pool pump should be. The answer is, it generally be hot but not the searing hot.
Without getting burned, you should be able to touch the top of the motor at least for a few seconds. This is a normal situation and if you are unable, it’s unusual.
Now, know yourself why your pool pump is so hot.
One of the four is friction
All the moving parts inside of your pool pump generate heat from friction. In a normal condition, this amount of heat doesn’t make a problem since they’ll self regulate their heat.
There are corroded bearings inside your pump, your pool pump will generate friction from this kind of bearings.
When the bearings of your pump start rusting, they fail to do their job. A high-pitched squealing sound indicates the rust on your pool pump bearings.
This sound actually a result of the bearings rubbing and generating friction at a high speed.
You may have an idea about how pool pumps work.
Second is the lack of airflow
For staying the electric motors cool, air must be drawn into the motor and over the electric windings. This cool air pulls heat from your motor before passing out the backside of your pump.
So, that is why these types of motors should be installed in an area where sufficient air flows.
If your pool pump is located in a small closet, the air inside the closet will soon be heated.
The third is suction-side restrictions
Flow restrictions in the plumbing system should be the lowest. The suction side of your pump should be a straight, unobstructed run at least 10 times the pipe diameter in length.
If your pool pump is with a 90-degree fitting directly in front of the suction side, the pump naturally will have to work harder.
The last one is pressure-side restrictions
Resistance to flow is compared to the head of your pool pump. As the head increases so do the amount of energy your pump will need to move water through the system.
Thus, more energy will be lost which means more heat will be generated. That’s why your pool pump certainly needs to be correct-sized for your pool.
If you have a large pump like a 2 or 3 hp motor and forcing the flow through a heavy restriction will cause the pump to work harder than it needs to.
Imagine yourself in a very fast bike riding, if you ride against a strong wind this will reduce your performance and speed. This is the same as your pump faces when you have pressure side flow restriction.
To get rid of it, make sure to limit back to back plumbing fittings which compound losses.
So, these are the potential causes of having an overheated pool pump. You may discuss it with a pool specialist for details. You probably need to replace your pool pump or take any other steps.
Conclusion
We are in the end. We hope you got your answer.
A pool pump is like the heart of your pool. You have to take care of the pump for having a happy, smiling swimming pool.
After the discussion, you now know why the pool pump overheats and you also can step forward to troubleshoot this.