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A salt chlorine generator extracts chlorine from sodium chloride, more commonly known as simple table salt. This eliminates your need to handle potentially dangerous chemicals. A salt chlorine generator also automates some maintenance tasks so you have less work to do.
A salt chlorine generator is an inline device installed in the pipe just after the filter. It runs electrical current through salted water, which causes a chemical reaction that basically turns salt into chlorine.
One type of generator requires you to add salt directly to the pool water. It may seem like a lot of salt when you pour it in, but actually the level is so low that you would not be able to taste it were you to sample the pool water.
Another generator works much like the slow release of salt by a water softener. The generator continually releases a small amount of chlorine into the water to maintain a safe and effective level. The result is less combined available chlorine, which causes a nasty odor and irritates skin and eyes.
Even with certain salt chlorine generators, you will need to apply a chlorine shock treatment (see Swimming Pool Sanitization: Chlorine Shock Treatment) every once in a while. For this reason, some generators have the capacity to provide the shock. Instead of applying chlorine to the pool yourself, you just push a button or turn a dial and the generator shocks the water.
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