Patent ID: 7784117

Claim:
A vacuum relief safety system for a swimming pool or spa, comprising: a housing defining an inner chamber and attached directly to a pump or pump pot of the swimming pool or spa water circulation system so as to be in fluid communication therewith; an air inlet aperture formed in the housing and open to ambient air; a sealing element disposed within the housing; a spring disposed within the inner chamber for biasing the sealing element against the air inlet aperture so as to effectively seal the inner chamber from ambient air, wherein the sealing element moves into the inner chamber and opens the air inlet aperture when a maximum allowed vacuum level within the pump is exceeded, whereby air is introduced through the air inlet aperture and the housing and into the pump causing the pump to lose its prime; and an electronic circuit, including a switch actuatable by the sealing element when the sealing element moves into the inner chamber, wherein the actuation of the switch causes the electronic circuit to shut off power to the pump.