Light switch turns pool pump off and on

[Lincoln11]

Can I simply replace this light switch with a timer light switch in order to run the pool pump on a schedule? I have timers set for my outside lights… Can I just use this for the pool pump as well or does the switch have to be 240 V

 

[ajw22]

Is your pool pump 240V or 120V?

Any 240V circuit needs both hot wires switched on or off. There are special "light switch" type switches that are designed to switch 240V circuits.

The Intermatic T104 timer is often used for 240V pump control...

Timers - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Lincoln11]

Hi, thank you for your reply. The pool pump is a Hayward 1 hp. I am attaching a picture of the current configuration. The light switch to the right of the plug turns the pool pump off or on.

 

[Lincoln11]

Upstairs near the circuit breaker box there is an old Intermatic timer. When I turn it on, it makes a buzzing noise. I haven’t can figure it out how to see if it actually works yet, but I will try that. If it doesn’t, my assumption is I should replace the timer at this location to override the manual switch downstairs, the light switch? Or my original question was can I just change that light switch with a timer light switch that would operate the plug?

 

[Lincoln11]

The pump is 115/230 V

 

[Lincoln11]

 

[ajw22]

Upstairs near the circuit breaker box there is an old Intermatic timer. When I turn it on, it makes a buzzing noise. I haven’t can figure it out how to see if it actually works yet, but I will try that. If it doesn’t, my assumption is I should replace the timer at this location to override the manual switch downstairs, the light switch? Or my original question was can I just change that light switch with a timer light switch that would operate the plug?

No one can say without seeing all the wiring to understand how it was wired. Too many things going on to make assumptions.

 

[Lincoln11]

Hi. Thank you for your input. Here is the plug for the pool pump, and then the off and on switch to the right of it.

 

[Lincoln11]

This is the new timer it is gigantic!

 

[Lincoln11]

Two black white, and a red going from the plug to the switch

 

[ajw22]

You have a timer, an outlet, and a switch involved.

There are too many wires to figure this out from pictures and wire colors.

Unless you can say if the pump is 120V or 240V and identify each wire where it runs from and to then you should get an electrician to sort this out.

 

[Lincoln11]

Its 240v

 

[SJPoe]

The short answer is 'yes'. You can replace the switch with a timer, but the Timer needs to be able to handle the specific wiring for your pump. 240v setups require you to switch 2 'hot' lines, so the switch part of the timer needs to be able to do that. You also need it to handle the power demand of the pump. 1.5HP is about 10amps out of the gate,

I have the same Hayward Pump (or close enough) and mine is setup for 240V. I replaced the 'switch' and the ugly huge timer box with a single Wifi enabled electronic switch.
I can now setup schedules for the pump via my phone, or manually operate it via the switch, or ask Alexa to turn it on or off etc.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08VRJSH5Z

Edit : Just to echo what ajw22 said - if you are in any way unsure, unclear, uncertain about EXACTLY what you are doing when it comes to wiring the switch, pump and outlet up, please PLEASE consult a licensed electrician - Water + Electricity mix only too well...and the results of a bad installation could be catastrophic.

 

[Lincoln11]

Hi it’s 240v. The plug for the pump is 240v. It’s a double circuit breaker.
The two line feeds from left I believe operated pool lights which are no longer operable.

 

[Lincoln11]

Hi. Okay thank you. I hoped I could just replace the switch with the timer. Identifying wires that are on the switch now and putting them in to timer slots.

 

[ajw22]

Identifying wires that are on the switch now and putting them in to timer slots.

Show us and explain what you are finding and connecting and we will check your work and advise.

 

[1poolman1]

Hi. Okay thank you. I hoped I could just replace the switch with the timer. Identifying wires that are on the switch now and putting them in to timer slots.

Two wires that come from the breakers go to terminal 1 and 3. The two wires that go to the pump go to terminal 2 and 4. Be sure there is a ground that goes all the ay back to the ground buss in the circuit-breaker panel. Also, there should not be a white wire used in a 240V installation. Someone could get hurt thinkin it is a neutral. The breaker in the panel for the pump needs to be a ground-fault circuit breaker. If you're not absolutely sure about your work, please hire a pro. While electricity and water do mix well, they don't do so with your family.