Options for retrofitting Pentair/Siemens filter pump breaker

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E

egardiner

Member
Aug 3, 2021
11
Austin, TX
Pool Size
12500
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Liquid Chlorine
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?
 
What about a sub- sub panel ? Then you'd only have to rearrange the pump leg.
 
Post a pic of the internals of your PSL4 panel.
 
egardiner said:
Hmm, that's a good idea and should save some $. Thanks for the suggestion!
Click to expand...
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.
 
Newdude said:
Use a larger breaker in the existing panel, say, a 30A, and then use the correct Seimens breaker in the sub panel.
Click to expand...
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.
 
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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.

1706468129724.png

1706467803901.png

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

The correct part number is probably Siemens I0816ML1125CU

Pentair Breaker Assembly.jpeg


1706467912440.png

I0816ML1125CU

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

1706467948495.png

1706467976225.png

1706468236313.png

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

1706468446118.png



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

1706468680913.png
 
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JamesW said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
JamesW said:
Maybe ask Pentair if you can add an assembly to the box.
Click to expand...

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 said:
You would also have to cut a hole for the breaker handle.
Click to expand...

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.

JamesW said:
It is not something I would recommend unless you get it professionally done by a qualified electrician.
Click to expand...
Qualified - absolutely!

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