Equipment & Hydraulics
Saltwater Chlorine Generator (SWCG / Salt Chlorinator)
An in-line device that generates chlorine electrolytically from dissolved pool salt, replacing or supplementing tablet / liquid chlorine dosing.
What it actually means in practice
A saltwater chlorine generator dissolves sodium chloride (regular pool salt, typically 3,000–4,000 ppm) in the pool, then passes the water through an electrolytic cell that splits the salt into free chlorine + sodium. The chlorine sanitizes the pool, and then recombines back into salt. Net effect: continuous mild chlorination without hand-dosing tablets. Salt cells wear out on a cycle (3–5 years typical), need periodic acid-bath cleaning, and demand tighter pH management than traditional chlorine. Commercial pools use SWCGs alongside primary chemical feed, not in place of it, for reliability reasons.
What people commonly get wrong
A saltwater pool still has chlorine. It's just generated on-site, not added as tablets.
The water doesn't taste like the ocean - salt is at roughly 10% of seawater concentration.
SWCG installations add complexity, not simplicity, for commercial facilities - they need more chemistry attention, not less.
Where this shows up at Aqua-Guard
Relevant services our team runs every week:
Related terms · Equipment & Hydraulics
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Pool Turnover Rate
The time required for the entire pool volume to pass through the filtration system once. Illinois IDPH sets maximum turnover times by facility type.
Variable-Speed Pool Pump (VFD Pump)
A pool pump with an electronically controlled motor that runs at varying RPMs to match demand. Typically cuts energy use 50–75% vs single-speed pumps.
Need a certified operator on your facility?
Aqua-Guard runs certified commercial pool operations for Chicagoland HOAs, condos, and clubs. We handle the credentials so your board doesn't have to.
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