PooL Heat pumps: Single or 3 phase?

[lachataigneraie]

I'm shopping for a pool heat pump. It seems reviews suggest that single phase pumps should not be rated above 10KW output for fear of shorting out[yet they sell them up to 31KW models?]. 3 phase models seem safer, yet their installation is more expensive since you need a 1 to 3 phase converter installation[for single phase home owners], £1000,s more. Ideally for my size swimming pool I would need a 17KW model.
Does anyone have any opinion on this?
Cheers

 

[malcolmsanford]

I'm shopping for a pool heat pump. It seems reviews suggest that single phase pumps should not be rated above 10KW output for fear of shorting out[yet they sell them up to 31KW models?]. 3 phase models seem safer, yet their installation is more expensive since you need a 1 to 3 phase converter installation[for single phase home owners], £1000,s more. Ideally for my size swimming pool I would need a 17KW model.
Does anyone have any opinion on this?
Cheers

If your one of these single phase home owners I would be amazed if you had a supply any where near big enough for 17KW and the rest of the house.

 

[Marvo]

Maybe the figures given in kilowatts refer to the refrigeration capacity of the heat pumps rather than the electrical consumption. as Malcolmsanford points out it would be unusual to find a single phase domestic appliance rated at 10 (or 17) Kilowatts.

If the premises has a single phase supply then specify a single phase heat pump. Adding a single phase to 3-phase 'converter' will actually result in a higher load plus it's extra expense and it's something extra to go wrong. Otherwise upgrade the electrical supply to 3-phase.


If a premises has a 3-phase supply then always specify a 3-phase heat pump. This will present a balanced load and 3-phase motors have more efficient starting and lower starting currents.

 

[Knobhead]

Hang on we need clarification on this. a heat pump to me extracts heat to be used “in house”, I can’t see this being the case for a pool.

A heating pump is the most likely explanation. Where 17KW is out of the question with a standard household supply.

 

[Marvo]

Hang on we need clarification on this. a heat pump to me extracts heat to be used “in house”, I can’t see this being the case for a pool.

Lol, I was assuming that heat pump meant one of these but like you say clarification would be nice.

Never thought of a heating system pump, it would be one hell of a heater system to require a 17kW pump.

 

[netblindpaul]

As far as I know a "heat pump" is a "reverse fridge" they are often used to heat pools.
Though why a single phase on s should short out I don't know they should only do that in the event of a fault.
if single phase heat pumps of this size are regularly shorting out then I would say that they are not fit for purpose and thus must not be on sale in the UK.
Don't install a 1ph to 3ph converter else you will lose all the advantages of the energy saving of the heat pump in the converter.