Location of salt cell (IC60)

[friendswoodnewbie]

We are in the start-up process and have not added salt to the system yet.
While reading all the different manuals, I noticed that Pentair says "ALWAYS install the IC60 AFTER the filter and heater"
I can certainly understand that the salt cell should be protected from dirt etc so after the filter is a must but what is the concern about not having it after the heater?
Any thoughts?

 

[benavidescj]

Not an expert here, but my thought is that you are not protecting the salt cell but the equipment that comes after it. The water coming out of the salt cell is not balanced. It is high in pH and chlorine and could damage the heater over time. At least damage it more so than if it were balanced.

 

[JasonLion]

It's worse than that. SWG cells produce hydrogen gas, which could build up in the heater causing poor thermal transfer to the water, overheating, and potentially an explosion.

 

[friendswoodnewbie]

Good to know. You definitely want to make sure they are in the right order, I guess......