Hello The cord and plug was hot because it was on a 15 amp circuit with other outlets and it was oxidizing & corroding! According to this article. The pump outlet should be on a 20 amp separate circuit with an NEMA L520-R Turnlok Receptacle and a NEMA L520-P Turnlok Plug !!! See details below and except in pic below. http://www.selfhelpandmore.com/home-wiring-usa/accessory-structures-to-dwellings/electrical-wiring-above-ground-pools-2002.php So I had an Intermatic Pool filter timer to add in so now is the time to do it? Any other comments or suggestions? It works! So should we be safe from electrical shock or Fire at this outlet now? !!! Pic 1 - recommended outlet The pump motor is 13.8 amps so 15 Amp outlet is cutting it too close, so that is why the old plug is overheating. Pic 2 - original 3 prong plug !!! Pic 3 - Hayward Filter pump motor specs Pic 4 - Original 15 amp Bubble outdoor outlet on a 15 Amp GFCI breaker wired using white 14-2. Just not good enough! Pic 5-7 New 20 Amp Turnlok plug & receptacle wired with yellow 12-2 Pic 8-10 GFCI 20 amp Circuit Breaker & Intermatic Timer hookup
Few more pics It seems to be working so we will see if it turns on and off at the set times. The timer like the circuit breaker box is screwed to 3/4” plywood which is screwed into the wall studs 16” on center. It is the basic 120 VAC Intermatic T101 SPST timer so very easy to wire up despite the directions which appears to be a little confusing, see wire diagram. Also I had to purchase a green grounding wire to go onto the ground screw to connect to the other 2 ground wires in the timer box. Any ground wire would do but this is professional looking. How does it look? Final results
Thanks The pool is an above ground pool so we take the filter and pump inside every winter to protect it. That is why the pump is Not hardwired. Fortunately I have some very good electrical friends that told me about this plug and recpticle. The plug has a rubber seal to keep the moisture out too. I never knew about them before. They sell the standard filter pump cords but the twistlok are code now because they do not easily slip out and give you a shock if you are in a wet suit. Pic 1 - New 120 VAC twistlok plug & recepticle Pic 2 - Standard 120 VAC 3 prong plug pool pump cord Pic 3 - New 120 VAC TwistLok 3 prong pool pump cord
We always took our pump in for winter also, but we just used wire nuts (no plug/receptacle) The plug and wiring looks good.
We have an inground, and had to buy a new pump this spring. We're planning on storing it inside this winter as well. We have a less-than-permanent wiring setup now, and plan to buy a new filter and have work done in the spring.
One of my friends has trouble with the bubble cover not staying closed and with this new larger plug I can see it can be a problem. So I just got a robe hook to keep the wire from putting any tension on the cover to spring it open.
