How To Set Up the Intermatic PE653RC Pool-Spa Control System -Overview

This is a guide on how you would apply the more economical Intermatic PE653RC Pool/Spa Remote Control system to automate control of your pool system. The Intermatic PE653RC Pool/Spa Control system can control up to five separate circuits. For a typical pool system this could include a pump - 1 speed, 2 speed or variable speed (120 or 240VAC), a Valve Actuator Controller, Lights, a Blower and a Heater. This guide shows you how to set up the basic wiring for controlling these units using this Intermatic Control System. For this example we will select a system with the following units: a 240 VAC 1-speed pump; a 240 VAC Blower, a 120 VAC pool Light, a 240 VAC Actuator Control; and a 24 VAC Heater Enable Circuit. This is just one configuration of any combination of pool equipment. 

1. LOCATE CIRCUITS - The Intermatic PE653RC Pool/Spa Control system provides 5 circuits as shown here. There are 9 terminals inside the box: terminals 1 and 2 are wired to the supply power to provide power to the Control System; a switch between terminals 2 and 3 controls Circuit 1; terminals 2 and 4 provide Circuit 2; terminals 5 and 6 provide Circuit 3; and terminals 5 and 7 provide Circuit 4. The last Circuit, #5, on terminals 8 and 9, can handle any voltage from 0-240 VAC. It is generally used to control a heater. Note the five buttons above the terminal strip. They correlate to the five circuits and can be used to manually activate each of the circuits. Also note the voltage switch in the upper left corner of the box. This switch is used to define the supply power to terminals 1 and 2. For this configuration, we will set the switch to 240 VAC.

2. WIRE CIRCUIT 1, PUMP - For this configuration we will be wiring a 240 VAC 1-speed Pump to circuit 1 of the Intermatic PE653RC Pool/Spa Control system. Generally a 1-speed pump motor will have two terminals labeled L2 and L1 plus ground. L2 will go to a breaker in the power supply box and L1 will go to terminal 3 of the Control Box. The circuit will be closed with a switch between terminals 2 and 3, as shown. The switch is controlled automatically through a user programmed setting or manually through Button 1. When this circuit is "ON" the LED light above Button 1 will illuminate.

3. WIRE CIRCUIT 2, LIGHTS - The pool's lights will be run off of Circuit 2. Since the lights are run on a GFCI protected 120 VAC circuit (or 12 VAC off a 120 VAC transformer), one of the leads from the light will go to the neutral bus in the Power Box. The other lead will go to terminal 4 of the Control Box. The circuit will be closed with a switch between terminals 2 and 4 as shown. The switch is controlled automatically through a user programmed setting or manually through Button 2. When this circuit is "ON" the LED light above Button 2 will illuminate.

4. WIRE CIRCUIT 3, BLOWER - The pool's 240 VAC Blower will be run off of Circuit 3.  One of the Blower's leads will be wired to a breaker. The other lead will go to terminal 6 of the Control Box. The circuit will be closed with a switch between terminals 5 and 6, as shown. The switch is controlled automatically through a user programmed setting or manually through Button 3. When this circuit is "ON" the LED light above Button 3 will illuminate.

5. VIEW ACTUATOR CONTROL - This pool configuration will use an Intermatic 240 VAC Actuator Control to control the pool's Diverter Valves. As shown, this Valve Actuator Control, Model P4043ME, can be programed to control up to 3 Actuators through the three ports highlighted at the top. 

6. WIRE CIRCUIT 4, ACTUATOR CONTROL - The pool's 240 VAC Valve Actuator Control will be run off of Circuit 4.  One of the Actuator Control's leads will be wired to a breaker. The other lead will go to terminal 7 of the Control Box. The circuit will be closed with a switch between terminals 5 and 7, as shown. The switch is controlled automatically through a user programmed setting or manually through Button 4. When this circuit is "ON" the LED light above Button 4 will illuminate. Note: This Controller controls the Actuators with 24 VAC power. An on-board transformer is separately wired to the Breaker Box (red lines) to convert 240 VAC to 24 VAC.

7. WIRE CIRCUIT 5 HEATER CONTROL - Circuit 5 is configured to control a heater using the heater's thermostatic circuitry. Terminals 8 and 9 of this Control System are connected to the Fireman's Switch within the heater.  Make sure that the Low Voltage Divider provided is installed between terminals 7 and 8.

8. WIRE SENSORS - This Control System can incorporate two low voltage sensors: the Water Temperature Sensor (provided) and the Freeze/ Air Temperature Sensor (optional - pn 178PA28A). The Water Temperature Sensor is needed to monitor both the pool and spa water temperature depending on the position of the diverter valves. It must be installed for the thermostat control to work. The Freeze/ Air Temperature Sensor measures the outside air temperature required for the Freeze Protection Option. These sensors are wired into the top of the Control System under the cover.

9. LOCATE ANTENNA - The antenna used to communicate with the Remote Controller (included) is attached within the top cover of the Control System.

10. PROGRAM CONTROL - The Remote Controller is used to program the various functions of the Control System. 

If you have any other questions about pool and spa products please do let us know - we are here to help!

Leave a comment