Automatic SALT

Salt chlorination automatically produces the chlorine needed to disinfect the water from the salt dissolved in the pool (sodium chloride, NaCl).

The principle is simple: a small amount of pool salt is added to the water, usually between 1.5 and 5 g/L. When the water passes through the electrolysis cell, an electric current separates the salt into sodium ions (Na⁺) and chlorine (Cl₂).

The chlorine produced reacts immediately with the water to form hypochlorous acid (HOCl), the active form of chlorine, also known as active chlorine, which acts directly to disinfect the pool water.

HOCl acts effectively to eliminate bacteria and viruses, prevent the growth of algae, and oxidise organic impurities.

Although chlorine is consumed during this process, most of the salt remains in the water and can be reused in the chlorine production cycle.

Only small amounts of salt are lost during operation, mainly due to backwashing, water renewal and dilution by rain.

For the system to function effectively in the long term, the electrolysis cell and electrodes must be regularly cleaned of deposits, and the salt content must be checked at regular intervals and readjusted if necessary.

The operating time of salt electrolysis in a swimming pool depends on several parameters: the volume of the pool, the capacity of the salt electrolysiser, the use of the pool and environmental conditions.

The volume of the pool: the larger the pool, the longer the electrolysiser must operate to treat the entire volume of water.

The capacity of the salt chlorinator: each device is designed for a maximum volume of water. It is important to choose a chlorinator that is suitable for the size of the pool and to follow the manufacturer's recommendations.

Use of the pool: if the pool is used intensively (many swimmers, frequent use), this leads to the introduction of additional bacteria and micro-organisms. The salt electrolysis system must therefore operate for longer in order to produce more chlorine.

Environmental conditions also influence disinfection requirements: rain, dead leaves, strong sunlight with UV rays that degrade some of the active chlorine. To ensure healthy water, it is recommended that you regularly check the pH of the water and the free chlorine present in the pool water.

A saltwater pool offers great ease of use, but certain points must be taken into account.

Possible corrosion of certain equipment: saltwater can have a corrosive effect on unsuitable metal parts. 

Maintenance of the electrolysis cell: the electrolysis cell must be cleaned regularly to remove limescale deposits that can reduce its efficiency. 

Water balance: salt electrolysis can cause fluctuations in the pH of the pool water, which requires regular monitoring and adjustment. 

Salt content of the water: some people may find the taste of salt or the feeling of salt water on their skin unpleasant. It is also not recommended to use water drained from a saltwater pool to water your garden, as salt water can have harmful effects on plants.

There is no single ‘best’ treatment method. The difference lies mainly in how chlorine is produced and introduced into the water. In a saltwater pool, chlorine is produced automatically from salt using a chlorinator. In a chlorine pool, it is added directly to the water, either manually in the form of tablets, for example, or in the form of liquid chlorine via an automatic control device. In both cases, it is always the active chlorine that disinfects the water.

In terms of swimming comfort, salt electrolysis limits the formation of chloramines, which are responsible for the famous ‘chlorine smell’ and irritation. The water is slightly salty, which makes it gentler on the skin and eyes.

To keep your unit in perfect working condition, we recommend carrying out the following maintenance checks:

Weekly checks

• Ensure your filtration system is kept in perfect working order.
• After adding fresh water to the pool, check the salt level and add salt if necessary.
• Check the pH and chlorine levels, preferably using the BAYROL Electronic Pooltester II.
• Visually inspect the installation for leaks across all components, pipework and connections.

Annual maintenance

• Replace the pH probe and calibrate it using pool water.
• Replace the Redox probe and set the correct mV setpoint. When doing so, ensure that the chlorine level in the pool is at the desired level.
• Replace the peristaltic tube of the dosing pump.
• Replace the suction and injection tubing if necessary.
• Check the pH-Minus injection lance and replace it if required.

On this page, you will find all technical documentation, tutorials and useful resources for the installation, commissioning and after-sales service of the Automatic SALT.

All spare parts are available here: Automatic SALT Spare Parts.