Opportunities are endless
The future of pH/ORP controller technology will evolve around wider expanded sensing capabilities encompassing water chemistry management, as well as full intelligent control of the pool equipment to further advance automation for safety and energy efficiency.
Communications will also continue to advance. First generation communicating controllers were limited to data ports with telephone or local area network (LAN) lines that had direct communication with a computer using designated software. Today, however, controllers can communicate various readings and reports via a number of different wireless communication devices, including cellular, reflex, Wi-Fi, and satellite. When combined with web-based software applications, data from modern day automatic chemical controllers can also be accessed and operated remotely by end users, property/facility operators, as well as swimming pool and spa/hot tub service/management professionals from any web-enabled device with a simple username and password.
Further, alarms and notifications can be sent to any e-mail address and/or short message service (SMS) (i.e. text message) to provide an instant alert, which further drives efficiency.
The future looks positive
From the beginning, automated pH and ORP controllers have been assisting swimming pool and spa/hot tub professionals to maintain safe water. Now, with the addition of the microprocessor, water can not only be kept safe, but it can also be done more accurately with increased programmability and sensing/monitoring options. Controllers serve a positive purpose and provide the industry with many important, yet neglected benefits. By helping all facilities maintain safe, comfortable water, with a minimal cost of ownership, chemical automation and the incorporation of pump room control is the wave of the future.
M. Troy McGinty is the global product manager for commercial products for Hayward Commercial Pools a division of Hayward Industries, a pool equipment manufacturer. He first became involved in the pool and spa industry in 2003 and has developed and commercialized a number of swimming pool and spa products. He is a Certified Pool Operator/Instructor (CPOI), Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO) and has led numerous seminars and training sessions across North America on the topic of pH and ORP automation, communication, and business development. He can be reached via e-mail at mtmcginty@haywardnet.com.
