An automation relay is the switch that actually turns pool equipment on and off. The automation board decides when the booster pump, landscape lights or waterfall should run, but it cannot carry motor current through its own circuitry. Instead it sends a small low-voltage signal to a relay coil, and the relay's heavy contacts close to pass line voltage to the equipment. Relays are cheap compared to the board, and they are one of the most common parts to fail on an automated pad.
This category covers replacement high-voltage relays for pool and spa automation systems from Jandy, Pentair, Hayward and others, along with two-speed relays used for two-speed pumps and related relay hardware. Service techs keep a few in the truck because a stuck or burned relay is a quick, satisfying repair. Builders and electricians buy them when adding circuits to an automation system.
A relay has two sides. The coil side receives a low-voltage control signal from the automation board. When energized, the coil creates a magnetic field that pulls the contacts closed. The contact side switches line voltage, typically 120 V or 240 V, to the load.
Relays mount on the high-voltage side of the power center, usually on a bracket or DIN rail, with the coil leads plugged into the board's relay header and the line and load wires landed on screw terminals.
Test before you replace. With the power center de-energized, check coil resistance. With it energized and following safe practices, confirm the board sends control voltage to the coil and measure voltage across the line and load terminals. Only a qualified technician should take live voltage measurements.
| Relay Type | Typical Load | What to Confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Single-pole high-voltage relay | 120 V lights, small pumps, accessory loads | Coil voltage, amp rating, connector type |
| Double-pole high-voltage relay | 240 V pump motors, booster pumps, blowers | Horsepower rating at 240 V, mounting style |
| Two-speed relay | Two-speed pool or spa pumps | Compatible with the automation board and the pump wiring |
| Relay driving a contactor | Loads above the relay's rating | Contactor coil voltage and rating sized by an electrician |
Every relay at HVAC365 is brand-new with the full manufacturer warranty. Product pages list the compatible automation platforms, coil voltage, pole configuration and contact ratings. In-stock items ship in 1-2 business days. If you have the old relay or the controller model in hand and want to confirm the right replacement, send us the part number and we will help cross-reference it.
Generally not. Coil voltage, connector type and mounting vary by platform, and using the wrong relay can damage the board or fail to operate. Use the relay specified for your controller or an approved equivalent.
The coil is pulling in, so the board is sending the signal, but power is not making it through. Burned contacts, a loose line or load wire, a tripped breaker or a failed pump are the usual causes. A qualified tech can measure voltage at the load terminal to narrow it down.
A welded relay contact is the most likely cause. It can also happen if the equipment is wired around the relay or a manual override switch is on. Replace a welded relay and check the motor for problems that caused it.
Yes. A two-speed pump needs separate control of the high and low windings, done with a two-speed relay or a relay pair arranged to prevent both from energizing together. Follow the automation manufacturer's wiring diagram.
Compare the equipment nameplate full-load amps and horsepower to the relay's rating at the circuit voltage. Leave margin for motor starting current. For loads beyond the rating, use a contactor.
Not automatically. Relays that switch the same type of load and have run the same number of years tend to wear at similar rates, so inspect the others for discoloration, pitted contacts or loose terminals while the enclosure is open. Replace any that show heat damage. On coastal pads where corrosion has attacked the whole power center, replacing a set of relays at once can save repeat visits, but a single failed relay next to healthy ones is usually a one-part repair.
Relays sit in line voltage enclosures next to live breakers. This work should be done by a licensed electrician or a qualified pool service technician who works on energized equipment safely.
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