Options for retrofitting Pentair/Siemens filter pump breaker

[egardiner]

I have a Pentair PSL4 panel controlling an Intelliflo VSF pump and powered by a two-pole 20 breaker in a separate sub panel. The electrician my pool builder used installed an Eaton CH subpanel, and the Eaton CH GFCI breaker powering the filter pump has been prone to nuisance trips since install.

Thankfully, the nuisance trips are relatively infrequent. They occur 2-3 times a year, often after power being restored after an outage. But during the recent freeze we experienced in central Texas, I experienced another nuisance trip, which I thankfully noticed before anything froze.

After lots of googling, I see that Pentair recommends and rebrands a Siemens breaker for powering the pump. Unfortunately, that breaker is not compatible with my existing Eaton CH sub panel. So I am looking for options to retrofit such that I can accommodate the recommended breaker.

Replacing the pool sub panel with something that can take the Siemens breaker is an obvious choice. But a colleague was telling me that his Pentair panel can accept breakers directly, with no sub panel required, so I am curious about that option, too.

Has anyone gone through this? Any recommendations?

 

[Jimrahbe]

e,

The cheapest thing to do is to replace the Eaton sub panel with a Siemens sub panel.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[egardiner]

e,

The cheapest thing to do is to replace the Eaton sub panel with a Siemens sub panel.

Thanks,

Jim R.

Thank you! Appreciate the help.

 

[Newdude]

What about a sub- sub panel ? Then you'd only have to rearrange the pump leg.

 

[egardiner]

What about a sub- sub panel ? Then you'd only have to rearrange the pump leg.

Hmm, that's a good idea and should save some $. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[ajw22]

Post a pic of the internals of your PSL4 panel.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Allen,

A PSLite4 is just a blank empty box... It has no load center.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[ajw22]

Allen,

A PSLite4 is just a blank empty box... It has no load center.

Thanks,

Jim R.

Ok, I was not sure if there was a Load Center and blank cabinet models.

 

[Newdude]

Hmm, that's a good idea and should save some $. Thanks for the suggestion!

Use a larger breaker in the existing panel, say, a 30A, and then use the correct Seimens breaker in the sub panel. They go back and forth now but it used to be that the Seimens breaker was $30 cheaper than the Seimems breaker labeled Pentair. It's the same breaker except for the sticker so check both.

My panel is fairly simple but it would still be much easier to only have to split on leg off than rearrange them all.

 

[ajw22]

Use a larger breaker in the existing panel, say, a 30A, and then use the correct Seimens breaker in the sub panel.

Breaker must be sized for the wire AWG used and not just the load.

Doing what you suggest is against the NEC and can lead to a fire in a wall if the wire shorts and overheats before the breaker trips.

CBs are there to protect the wires and not the device.

 

[Newdude]

Breaker must be sized for the wire AWG used and not just the load.

Yes I was assuming the existing panel was capable handling a 30A breaker.

 

[JamesW]

Siemens EQ 125 Amp 4-Space 8-Circuit Main Lug Outdoor Load Center W0408ML1125U - The Home Depot

Enjoy the 125 amp 4-Space 8-Circuit Outdoor Main Lug Load Center W0408ML1125U, NEMA 3R hot-dipped galvanized steel for rust resistance and has a polyester powder-coat finish for further protection from

www.homedepot.com

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Siemens-125-Amp-4-Spaces-8-Circuit-Main-Lug-Load-Center/3128101

 

[JamesW]

Siemens PN Series 125 Amp 12-Space 24-Circuit Main Lug Plug-On Neutral Load Center Outdoor with Copper Bus PNW1224L1125C - The Home Depot

Update your commercial power distribution system with Siemens PN Series Main Lug PlugOn Neutral Load Center Outdoor with Copper Bus.

www.homedepot.com

 

[JamesW]

Can you show pictures of everything you have now including inside the Pentair PSL4 panel box and inside the subpanel?

 

[ajw22]

Yes I was assuming the existing panel wiring was capable handling a 30A breaker.

FIFY

 

[JamesW]

I wonder if you could mount a breaker assembly in the box?

Probably not a good idea since the box is not specifically designed for the assembly.

Maybe ask Pentair if you can add an assembly to the box.





https://www.homedepot.com/p/Siemens...ad-Center-Copper-Bus-E0816ML1125FCU/302556129

The correct part number is probably Siemens I0816ML1125CU






I0816ML1125CU

https://mall.industry.siemens.com/mall/en/us/Catalog/Product/?mlfb=US2:I0816ML1125CU







https://contractor.compas.siemens-info.com/assets/speedfax/SF17_Sect01.pdf





https://assets.new.siemens.com/siem...a2-0b79f2182c40/sie-sa-espl-sel-app-guide.pdf

https://mall.industry.siemens.com/mall/en/us/Catalog/Product/?mlfb=US2:I0816ML1125CUSP

 

[ajw22]

I wonder if you could mount a breaker assembly in the box?

Probably not a good idea since the box is not specifically designed for the assembly.

That is the identical box used by an EasyTouch with a Load Center except it does not have the screw holes for the bus taped into it.

Maybe ask Pentair if you can add an assembly to the box.

You really think anyone on their support line will give a knowledgeable answer?

It looks feasible to add the Load Center to the cabinet, at the homeowners risk, if they are knowledgeable about electrical practices. The bus must be properly installed and isolated from the cabinet.

 

[JamesW]

You really think anyone on their support line will give a knowledgeable answer?

Probably not.

 

[JamesW]

You would also have to cut a hole for the breaker handle.

It is not something I would recommend unless you get it professionally done by a qualified electrician.

 

[ajw22]

You would also have to cut a hole for the breaker handle.

Or scrounge a front panel from an old EasyTouch being decomissioned.

Note that the newer EasyTouch panels have breakers on the left.

Older panels had the breakers in the center.

It is not something I would recommend unless you get it professionally done by a qualified electrician.

Qualified - absolutely!

Professionally - if that means proper workmanship and techniques then I agree.