what pressure should a pool pump being running at?
The higher the flow rate, the higher the pressure will be for a given plumbing system. The larger the pump HP, the higher the flow rate and thus the higher the pressure will be. 17-20 PSI is not unusual by any means for a pool. I run at about 19 PSI with a 1 HP Northstar pump (SF = 1.85), 2 1/2 suction plumbing and 2 return plumbing. With the solar system on, the pressure rises to about 27 PSI.