This is often described as a process of self-cleaning, when in actuality it is a low maintenance system whereby cell electrodes regularly change the direction of the current, usually every 5 hours. This allows for the layers of scale deposited on the electrode plates to be removed and so maintain the cell. In the case of very hard water, some chlorinators are able to clean the electrodes more frequently by shortening the polarity inversion time, such as every 2.5 hours. However, a shortened polarity time can cause more wear and tear of the electrodes and so pool professionals generally handle this aspect of salt water chlorinators themselves. If you need advice on polarity inversion for your salt water chlorinator, Get in touch with us and we’ll set you on the right track.