Coates Electric Pool Heater, 12kw 208V Three Phase, Salt Water Application

The Coates 12kW 208V Three-Phase Electric Pool & Spa Heater for Salt Water Applications (Model 32012CES / 32012CPHS — with the "S" saltwater/corrosion-resistant package) is engineered for commercial hydrotherapy tanks, resort wellness spas, and municipal plunge pools operating with electrolytic salt chlorine generation systems (typically 2,500 to 4,500+ ppm TDS/NaCl) on a standard 208V 3-phase/4-wire power grid.

Distributing 12kW across a 3-phase 208V network reduces the line current to 33.3 Amps per phase (compared to 50 Amps on single-phase 240V). The saltwater configuration incorporates upgraded element metallurgy and internal protective barriers to prevent accelerated galvanic degradation and chloride pitting common in saline pool water.

Electrical & Heating Performance

• Model Designation: Coates 32012CES / 32012CPHS series (320 designates 3-Phase 208V; suffix designates Saltwater/Titanium package).

• Heating Capacity: 12 kW (12,000 Watts).

• Thermal Output: 40,946 BTU/hr ($12\text{ kW} \times 3,412.142\text{ BTU/kWh}$).

• Operating Voltage: 208V AC, Three-Phase (3Ø), 3-pole / 3-wire plus ground (or 4-wire Wye), 60 Hz.

• Full Load Amperage (FLA): 33.3 Amps

  $$\text{FLA} = \frac{12,000\text{ W}}{208\text{ V} \times \sqrt{3}} = \frac{12,000}{360.26} \approx 33.31\text{ A}$$

• Overcurrent Protection (Breaker Sizing): Requires a dedicated 3-pole 45-Amp or 50-Amp circuit breaker conforming to NEC 125% continuous-duty loading standards ($33.31\text{ A} \times 1.25 = 41.64\text{ A}$ minimum branch rating, standardizing on a 45A or 50A 3-pole breaker).

• Conductor Sizing: Minimum #8 AWG THHN/THWN copper conductor (rated 75°C/90°C terminals, adjusted for ambient derating and conduit run length).

Salt Water Construction & Metallurgy Upgrades

• Titanium / Incoloy 825 Sheathed Elements: Immersion elements are upgraded from standard alloys to Titanium or high-molybdenum Incoloy 825 sheathing to resist chloride-induced stress corrosion cracking (SCC), scale accumulation, and localized pitting from dissolved sodium chloride.

• Passivated / Barrier-Coated Pressure Vessel: Cylindrical pressure chamber fabricated from heavy-gauge 316L stainless steel or carbon steel lined with a specialized baked phenolic epoxy/fluoropolymer protective barrier, isolating the tank substrate from saline electrolytic degradation.

• Sacrificial Cathodic Protection: Equipped with an accessible sacrificial zinc or magnesium anode plug port to absorb galvanic action and mitigate stray current erosion in the salt plumbing loop.

• Corrosion-Inhibited Cabinet: Heavy-gauge NEMA 1 industrial painted enclosure finished with an anti-corrosion powder coating to prevent cabinet degradation in high-humidity, salt-vapor mechanical rooms.

Construction & Safety Architecture

• Cabinet & Enclosure: NEMA 1 industrial painted steel cabinet with a removable front panel for terminal inspections, heavy-duty 3-pole magnetic contactor servicing, and field wire terminations.

• Integrated Safety Controls:

  • Dual-dial adjustable thermostatic controller calibrated up to 104°F (40°C) for commercial spa compliance.

  • Manual-reset High-Limit safety cutout set to de-energize the magnetic contactor control circuit at 122°F (50°C).

  • Pressure/flow-interlock switch preventing heating element contactors from pulling in during low-flow, pump loss, or deadhead conditions.

Hydraulic & Plumbing Specifications

• Plumbing Connections: Standard 1-1/2" NPT female inlet and outlet ports (adapted via Schedule 80 CPVC unions into 2" or 2-1/2" headers).

• Equipment Sequencing in Salt Systems: Must always be installed upstream of the electrolytic chlorine generator cell (separated by an inline corrosion-resistant check valve) to prevent hyper-concentrated chlorine gas or acidic pockets from pooling inside the heater vessel during pump shutdowns.

• Flow Rate Parameters:

  • Minimum Flow Rate: 15 to 20 GPM (approx. 57 to 76 LPM) required to trip the safety flow switch.

  • Maximum Flow Rate: 60 to 70 GPM (approx. 227 to 265 LPM); filtration loops operating at higher GPM mandate an external plumbed bypass manifold.

• Maximum Working Pressure: 60 PSI (approx. 4.14 bar).

Dimensions, Net Weight & Shipping Weight

• Unit Dimensions: Approximately 19.5" L × 10.0" W × 14.5" H (approx. 49.5 cm × 25.4 cm × 36.8 cm).

• Net Unit Weight: Approximately 46 to 52 lbs (approx. 20.9 to 23.6 kg).

• Packaged Shipping Dimensions: Approximately 22" L × 13" W × 17" H.

• Packaged Shipping Weight: Approximately 58 to 66 lbs (approx. 26.3 to 29.9 kg) in heavy-duty reinforced corrugated carton packaging.

Estimated Temperature Rise Rates

(Calculation: $\text{Rise (°F/hr)} = \frac{40,946\text{ BTU/hr}}{\text{Gallons} \times 8.34\text{ lbs/gal}}$, baseline heat-up rate assuming covered vessel without ambient radiation losses.)