PPG FAQ

FAQs 

As with all chemicals, we encourage you to read the Accu-Tab ® system material safety data sheet and product label for proper safe use, handling, and storage information.

  Is the Accu-Tab chlorinator designed to hold pressure?

No. Accu-Tab chlorinators are not pressure vessels because they are not designed to fill with water, which would erode all of the tablets at once and lead to a build-up of a highly concentrated chlorine solution. This solution would not allow for consistent delivery of chlorine.  Therefore, the units have been designed to operate under the slight vacuum created by the suction side of the pump or by gravity flow.

  Do all the tablets get soaked in water at once?

No. The chlorinator does not fill with water. Only the bottom of the tablets in contact with the sieve plate will get wet. The rest of the tablets remain dry and drop down automatically to replace the wetted tablets that are eroded.

  What is the composition of 3-inch Accu-Tab tablets?

Accu-Tab tablets are 68% nominal chlorine. Typically, they contain approximately 2% insolubles.  

Commercial pool tablets have a blue salt to distinguish them from other pool tablets (primarily trichloroisocyanurates), which are not compatible with Accu-Tab tablets and could lead to fire or explosion if mixed together.  Commercial tablets also contain a patented erosion modifier that promotes more consistent delivery of chlorine.

  In what size pails are Accu-Tab tablets sold?

Accu-Tab tablets are packaged in a 55-pound pail.  For large applications, a 400-pound bag is available.  (Facilities must meet specific criteria to obtain bags.  Check with your local specialist or PPG for details).

  What is the shelf life of calcium hypochlorite?

Accu-Tab calcium hypochlorite tablets maintain their strength for up to a year when stored under the proper conditions. (Store in original container with the lid sealed in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place.  Keep away from heat, sparks, flames, direct sunlight, and other sources of heat.)

  My tablets are not eroding fast enough to keep up with the chlorine demand?

Low tablet delivery rates can be caused by low flow through the chlorinator, or an increase in chlorine demand may have occurred within your system.  If your system has extended intermittent use, call the PPG Customer Service Hotline at 1-800-245-2974 (Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. E.S.T.).

  Why do the chlorine levels in the pool seem so hard to maintain on bright, sunny days?

Well, for one thing you probably have more bathers (and therefore more bather waste) on a sunny day than on a cloudy day and it will often be warmer on a sunny day. These factors tend to increase the chlorine demand. But even without the extra bathers or higher temperatures bright sunlight itself can have a devastating impact on chlorine. Depending on other factors such as water depth, temperature, etc. bright sunlight can destroy 3/4 of the chlorine in pool water in an hour or so. By adding 25 PPM of cyanuric acid ("stabilizer" or "conditioner") to the pool water, the rate of chlorine loss can be cut by two-thirds.

  Does cal hypo burn?

Calcium hypochlorite is an inorganic chemical, and therefore it will not burn by itself.  It is an oxidizing chemical and will decompose, and this decomposition liberates oxygen and heat.  Should an organic compound be present, a fire can result.  In fact, contaminating cal hypo with organic liquids or acids, such as algaecides and soda pop, can result in a fire and the release of toxic gases. Upon request, PPG will provide you with a safety wall chart that provides guidelines in the case of a spill or emergency.

  What safety measures are recommended for the storage of cal hypo?

Calcium hypochlorite should be stored in its original container with the lid sealed in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place. It should be kept away from heat, sparks, flames, direct sunlight, and other sources of heat, including lighted tobacco products. It is important to remember that calcium hypochlorite is a Class III oxidizer, and local fire officials should be contacted and made aware of your current storage conditions and the quantities you intend to store. Refer to container labeling for full storage and warning information and details. PPG also has safe storage guidelines available by calling 1-800-245-2974.

  What type of Accu-Tab tablet is right for my system?

PPG makes two different types of Accu-Tab tablets. Accu-Tab Blue SI is for commercial swimming pool applications.  Accu-Tab SI is for industrial/municipal applications, such as potable water or wastewater, food processing applications, or industrial processing and cooling water.

  How is chlorine dosage controlled?

Regulating water flow through the chlorinator controls the dose. The more water through the unit, the more available chlorine delivered. This can be controlled either manually or automatically and is as simple as adjusting a valve.

  What safety equipment is needed for the handling of Accu-Tab tablets?

Typically, only rubber gloves and safety glasses/goggles are recommended.

  What routine maintenance is required?

PPG recommends cleaning the chlorinator once a year with muriatic acid to remove any deposits.  However, system water quality will ultimately determine how often cleaning is needed. For specific cleaning instructions, refer to the cleaning instructions section of your chlorinator manual.  Instructions may also be obtained by calling the PPG Customer Service Hotline at 1-800-245-2974 (Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. E.S.T.).

  Will the Accu-Tab system cause corrosion of pipes and pumps?

Surprisingly, no! The calcium hypochlorite solution that is discharged from the chlorinator is a mildly alkaline solution that actually reduces the corrosive properties of the water.

  Does the unit come with a warranty?

Yes.  Accu-Tab chlorinators are made from PVC for durability, and they rarely break. However, PPG will supply replacement parts (or, in rare cases, an entire chlorinator for the life of a particular application) provided that the chlorinator has been installed correctly and has been using only Accu-Tab tablets. Refer to PPG’s limited warranty for details.  PowerPro ®  and PowerBase ®  chlorination systems have a standard one year warranty with options to extend the warranty.

  Can the system be installed for intermittent chlorination?

Yes. The chlorinator is uniquely designed to allow water to drain from the tablets when the system is not in use, thereby preventing the tablets from soaking and forming a high concentration solution.

  How often does the chlorinator need to be filled with tablets?

This really depends on two things—how much cal hypo is being used per day and what size chlorinator is being used. For example, a system using 25 pounds of cal hypo per day utilizing an Accu-Tab model 3150 chlorinator would need to be refilled every six days since the 3150 model holds up to 150 pounds of cal hypo.

  Is this the same chemical used in pools?

Calcium hypochlorite is the major chemical in both our pool and industrial tablets, with different additives blended in for use in different applications.  Calcium hypochlorite is used extensively in the swimming pool industry as a chlorine bactericide and algaecide.

  How does water temperature affect chlorine delivery?

Very cold water tends to slow down chlorine delivery for the same water flow through the chlorinator. Normally, increasing the water flow through the chlorinator will counteract this effect. Contact PPG for additional information by calling our Customer Service Hotline at 1-800-245-2974 (Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. E.S.T.).

  How long has the Accu-Tab system been in use?

The Accu-Tab chlorination system (tablets and chlorinators) has been in use since 1992 in industrial/municipal and pool applications and is a proven leader in alternative chlorination systems.

 Why did my pool turn cloudy?

Pool water can turn cloudy due to high pH, high total alkalinity (TA), filtration problems, or the need for shocking.  The pH should be 7.2 to 7.4.  The TA should be 80 to 100 ppm as CaCO 3.  Check to see that the filter is working properly and that the pump is circulating the water properly.  If free available chlorine levels are low or combined chlorine levels are high, shocking of the pool water may be needed.

 What is the white floating residue, and how can you prevent it?

The floating residue is generally small calcium carbonate particles with enough trapped air to allow them to float.  They can come from the natural insolubles in the product or be formed by pH or total alkalinity levels that are too high.  Operating the pump for longer periods should remove the residue through the skimmer.  Check to see that the weir flap on the skimmer is functioning properly to prevent any skimmer residue from returning to the pool.

 Why is pH hard to control?

The pH will be difficult to control if the total alkalinity (TA) is not in the proper range.  TA should be 80 to 100 ppm as CaCO 3.  If less than 50 ppm, pH bounce can occur.  If more than150 ppm, pH will drift upward, and large amounts of acid will be needed to lower the TA.  This may also cause the pH to fall, requiring additional pH adjustment.

 What is the blue color in the Accu-Tab Blue SI tablets?

The color is caused by a small amount of colored salt added to the product.  It is readily dispersed into the water and may be collected on the filter.  The colorants are added for safety reasons since the mixing of chemicals can be dangerous.  The blue color is added to clearly distinguish Accu-Tab Blue SI tablets from other pool sanitizing chemicals (in particular, trichloroisocyanurate, which is typically white in color).

 In what order should water balance chemicals be added to the pool?

As a general rule, the order for water balance adjustment is as follows:  calcium hardness, total alkalinity, pH.  After each application of a chemical, circulate the water for four to six hours to allow proper mixing in the water before sampling the water again or making additional chemical applications.

 Why is NSF certification important?

NSF certification validates chlorination system performance.  Read the Recreation Mangement NSF certification article.  NSF50Article.pdf

 What is the quickest way for me to size a chlorinator?

Please refer to our model sizing guide . 

 Why can’t I use other tablets in an Accu-Tab chlorinator?

Not using Accu-Tab tablets will violate your NSF certification and will void the chlorinator’s limited warranty.  More important, the mixing of chemicals can cause a fire or explosion.

 Are there any steps I should take to winterize the chlorinator?

To winterize the chlorinator or an Accu-Tab system, remove the water from the components.  On systems equipped with pumps, make sure all water is removed from the pump housing to prevent freezing water from cracking the head.