How Does a Variable Speed Pool Pump Work

By Greg Jarvis | Last Updated: September 7, 2022

With variable speed pool pumps or multi-speed pool pumps, you can control the speed of the pump. You will be able to control the speed of the pump between the low and high-speed settings. Single-speed pool pumps, they have only one constant speed at their full potential. Likewise, dual speed pool pump has two-speed options which are high and low speed. But variable speed pool pump on the other hand gives you the option to vary the speed between high and low. This article is set to help you with how does a variable speed pool pump work. So enjoy.

How Does a Variable Speed Pool Pump Work

What does a Variable speed pool pump offer?

Buying a variable speed pool pump will be worth your money effort and time. This is because it saves energy and the cost of running it is low. This pool pump is programmable, allowing it to be used for specific tasks. It has a magnetic motor that is different from others, and it can be precisely controlled. This pool pump has much value for money. And other than just saving energy and running costs, it offers much more benefits. They can be expensive, but they are worth your money. And within a timeframe of two years, you will recover the cost you spent on purchasing it. Since its speed can be controlled, the filtration level can be adjusted to where it excellently filters the pool. The level at which it uses low energy.

When you don’t need the pump for cleaning, especially when running it overnight. You just need to set the timer and control the speed to the lowest setting. They are flexible, easy to use and they work with fewer efforts. The variable speed pumps are now the leading choice of dealers and consumers over the single and dual-speed pumps. They offer a higher potential for swimming pool management.

How do the variable pool pumps perform their work?

The fact that you can control and vary the speed of this pump makes it the best choice. And this is how it gets its name, variable speed pump. They can operate at various speeds and still perform optimally well. This machine works on the principle of Pump Affinity. When its speed is reduced, it will make use of less energy. The principle of the Pump Affinity Laws shows states that when you reduce the speed of the pump. The power consumption of the pump will reduce by the cube root of the speed reduction. For example, if the speed of the pump is reduced by half. Then the power consumption will be 80 percent of the highest speed of the pump. And as a result, the electricity consumed is reduced by a factor of 8. This will go a long way in saving the use of energy.

The only drawback here is that the flow rate will be lower than at a higher speed. But this is ok, it will only just take long before it pumps the same volume of water. You have nothing to worry about, it is built to run for a longer period. Another law of pump affinity connects the speed of the pump with the flow rate. It states that if the pump speed is reduced by half, the flow rate will also reduce by half. Now if you reduce the speed of the pump by half, its flow rate will be twice as at full speed. The power consumed will be one-fourth of that of the higher speed, and the energy saved will be 75 percent.

Water will rub against the inside is the pipe as it passes through the pool plumbing. And due to the bends, turns and the straight section of the pump there will be friction loss.

The loss of friction will cause the flow rate to increase. If the flow rate of the water is reduced by a factor of 2. The friction loss will be reduced by a factor of 4. This is because the friction loss reduces with the square of the flow rate of water. At the high flow rate of the water, it will be difficult for the debris to accumulate. The possibility that the debris will be removed mechanically is high when the water passes through the filter. The water will mix very quickly and get cleaned before getting into the skimmer. And as a result, the filtration efficiency of the variable pump is increased.

Conclusion

The variable speed pool pumps are more valued than the constant single or dual speed pool pump. They offer a lot of benefits, and you have the option of controlling its working speed. It saves a lot of energy and the cost of running it is low. Running it at a low speed will increase its operating life. This is because, at a lower speed, the heat generated will be below. Thereby, reducing the stresses on the mechanical and electrical components, leading to a longer life. I believe after reading this how does a variable speed pool pump work article. You will agree with me that variable speed is the best choice for a pool pump.

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