Coates Electric Pool Heater, 36kw 600V Three Phase, Salt Water Application

The Coates 36kW 600V Three-Phase Electric Pool & Spa Heater for Salt Water Applications (Model 36036CES / 36036CPHS — featuring the "S" saltwater/corrosion-resistant package) is a heavy-duty inline immersion heater designed for commercial hydrotherapy pools, municipal swim schools, resort aquatic complexes, and athletic training tanks operating with electrolytic salt chlorine generation systems (typically 2,500 to 4,500+ ppm TDS/NaCl) on a standard Canadian 600V 3-phase/3-wire or 4-wire electrical distribution network.

Operating 36kW across a 600V 3-phase supply draws merely 34.6 Amps per phase (compared to 99.9 Amps on 208V 3-phase and 150.0 Amps on 240V single-phase). This allows substantial thermal output using compact branch circuiting, moderate breaker sizing, and lighter gauge copper conductors. The factory saltwater configuration provides upgraded element metallurgy and protective tank barrier coatings to withstand aggressive saline electrolytes, preventing chloride pitting and stress corrosion cracking.

Electrical & Heating Performance

• Model Designation: Coates 36036CES / 36036CPHS series (360 designates 3-Phase 600V; suffix designates Saltwater/Titanium package).

• Heating Capacity: 36 kW (36,000 Watts).

• Thermal Output: 122,837 BTU/hr ($36\text{ kW} \times 3,412.142\text{ BTU/kWh}$).

• Operating Voltage: 600V AC, Three-Phase (3Ø), 3-pole / 3-wire plus ground (or 4-wire Wye), 60 Hz.

• Full Load Amperage (FLA): 34.6 Amps

  $$\text{FLA} = \frac{36,000\text{ W}}{600\text{ V} \times \sqrt{3}} = \frac{36,000}{1,039.23} \approx 34.64\text{ A} \rightarrow 34.6\text{ A}$$

• Overcurrent Protection (Breaker Sizing): Requires a dedicated 3-pole 45-Amp or 50-Amp circuit breaker (600V-rated) conforming to CEC/NEC 125% continuous-duty loading standards ($34.64\text{ A} \times 1.25 = 43.30\text{ A}$ minimum branch rating, standardizing on a 45A or 50A 600V 3-pole breaker).

• Conductor Sizing: Minimum #8 AWG copper conductor (rated 600V, 75°C/90°C THHN/THWN/RW90; adjusted for ambient derating and raceway distance).

Salt Water Construction & Metallurgy Upgrades

• Titanium / Incoloy 825 Sheathed Elements: Standard immersion elements are replaced with Titanium or high-molybdenum/nickel Incoloy 825 sheathing to prevent chloride-induced stress corrosion cracking (SCC), scale accumulation, and localized pitting from dissolved sodium chloride.

• Passivated / Barrier-Coated Pressure Vessel: Extended 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, 600V-rated staged 3-pole magnetic contactor servicing, and field wire terminations.

• Internal Control Circuit: Factory-installed step-down control transformer (600V primary to 120V/24V secondary) powering the thermostatic control circuit and safety interlocks.

• 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: 20 to 25 GPM (approx. 76 to 95 LPM) required to trip the safety flow switch and prevent localized thermal cavitation.

  • 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 24.0" L × 12.0" W × 16.5" H (approx. 61.0 cm × 30.5 cm × 41.9 cm).

• Net Unit Weight: Approximately 74 to 82 lbs (approx. 33.6 to 37.2 kg).

• Packaged Shipping Dimensions: Approximately 26" L × 15" W × 19" H.

• Packaged Shipping Weight: Approximately 88 to 98 lbs (approx. 39.9 to 44.5 kg) in heavy-duty reinforced corrugated carton packaging with dense molded foam protection.

Estimated Temperature Rise Rates

(Calculation: $\text{Rise (°F/hr)} = \frac{122,837\text{ BTU/hr}}{\text{Gallons} \times 8.34\text{ lbs/gal}}$, baseline heat-up rate assuming covered vessel without ambient radiation losses.)