Pentair IntelliCenter Circuit and Feature Configuration

The Pentair IntelliCenter gives pool professionals precise control over every piece of equipment connected to the system. Understanding the distinction between AUX circuits and Feature Circuits — and knowing how to configure each correctly — is the foundation for a well-automated pool system. The system supports up to 39 Auxiliary Circuits (with expansion enclosures) and up to 32 Feature Circuits.

AUX Circuits vs. Feature Circuits

These two categories serve distinct purposes:

• AUX Circuits are physical relay outputs that switch power to high-voltage equipment: pumps, lights, blowers, and similar loads. Each AUX circuit corresponds to a relay in the load center.
• Feature Circuits are logical circuits that apply special control logic to equipment not directly controlled by an AUX relay — such as pump speeds, valve actuators, or combinations of circuits. Up to 32 Feature Circuits can be assigned as Generic or Spillway type.

To access circuit configuration: go to Settings > Advanced System Configuration > Installation Setup > Circuits. From the Circuits screen, select either AUX Circuits or Feature Circuits.

Circuit Functions (AUX Circuits)

Each AUX circuit is assigned a Circuit Function that determines how the IntelliCenter treats that circuit. Choosing the correct function is important because it unlocks type-specific features and controls:

Circuit Function	Use Case	Notes
Generic	Any simple on/off load (blower, heater relay, water feature)	No special logic; full scheduling capability
Spillway	Pool/spa combination where spa is raised above pool	Rotates return valve so water creates a waterfall effect; disables automatic pool cleaners when active
Master Cleaner	Automatic pool cleaner pump or cleaner valve actuator	Forces filter pump on 5 minutes before cleaner; turns cleaner off when spa is on; turns cleaner off for 5 minutes when solar heating begins
Master Cleaner 2	Second automatic pool cleaner	Same logic as Master Cleaner
Chem Relay	Dedicated relay for IntelliChem Controller	Assigns relay specifically for chemical dosing
Light	Standard pool or spa light	Enables All On / All Off light control
IntelliBrite	IntelliBrite LED color lights	Activates color show and color selection controls
GloBrite	GloBrite Color LED lights	IntelliBrite LED capabilities
GloBrite White	GloBrite White LED lights	Includes dimmer capability (50%, 75%, 100%)
MagicStream (IntelliBrite)	MagicStream laminar water feature	IntelliBrite LED capabilities with Hold/Recall/Thumper controls
ColorCascade	ColorCascade water feature	IntelliBrite LED capabilities
Dimmer	Dimmer-capable incandescent lights	Only incandescent tungsten filament lights may be dimmed; requires dimmer relay module

Configuring AUX Circuits

To configure an AUX circuit:

1. From the home screen, tap Settings > Advanced System Configuration > Installation Setup > Circuits > AUX Circuits.
2. Select the AUX circuit you want to configure (e.g., AUX 1).
3. Tap Circuit Function and select the appropriate function (Generic, IntelliBrite, Light, etc.).
4. Tap Circuit Name and select a name from the built-in list, or tap the keyboard icon to enter a custom name.
5. Set Visible in Features to Yes if you want the circuit to appear on the home screen Features or Lights screen.
6. Set an Egg Timer if you want the circuit to automatically turn off after a set duration when manually activated.
7. Enable Freeze Protection if the circuit should run during freeze events.

Circuit Names

IntelliCenter includes a large library of predefined circuit names — including Pool Pump, Spa, Waterfall, Pool Light, Spa Light, Cleaner, Booster Pump, Fire Bowl, Fountain, and many more. To use a custom name not in the list, tap the keyboard icon on the circuit name screen and type a name. Circuit names appear on the home screen and in schedules.

Egg Timer

Each circuit has an Egg Timer setting that determines how long the circuit runs when manually turned on. This prevents equipment from being left on indefinitely. The Egg Timer can be set from 0 to 23 hours and 59 minutes. To make a circuit run until manually turned off, tap the Hours button past 23 hours to select Do Not Stop. The default Egg Timer for most circuits is 12 hours.

Visible in Features

For Light and Generic circuits, the Visible in Features setting controls whether the circuit appears on the home screen Features or Lights screen. Set to Yes to display the circuit; set to No to hide it from the home screen while still allowing schedule control. The green number badge on the home screen Features icon shows how many visible feature circuits are currently active.

Feature Circuits (Generic and Spillway)

Feature Circuits are used to control equipment not directly handled by AUX relays — such as pump speeds, multiple valve actuators, or combined spa effects. Up to 32 Feature Circuits can be created. To add a Feature Circuit:

1. Go to Settings > Advanced System Configuration > Installation Setup > Circuits > Feature Circuits.
2. Tap New Feature Circuit.
3. Tap Circuit Function and select either Generic or Spillway.
4. Assign a Circuit Name, Visible in Features setting, Egg Timer, and Freeze Protection as needed.

Feature Circuit: Generic

A Generic Feature Circuit applies no special logic — it is a simple on/off control that can be used to group multiple circuits or to activate pump speeds. For example, you can create a "Spa Party" Feature Circuit that turns on the spa, spa light, and fountain simultaneously when tapped.

Feature Circuit: Spillway

A Spillway Feature Circuit is used in pool/spa combinations where the spa is raised above the pool level. When activated, the return valve rotates so the filter pump pulls water from the pool and returns it to the spa, creating a waterfall effect. Automatic pool cleaners are turned off when the Spillway feature is active.

Creating Circuit Groups

Groups allow multiple AUX or light circuits to be controlled from a single button on the home screen. To create a group:

1. Go to Settings > Groups, or tap the four-dots icon on the AUX Circuits screen.
2. Tap Add Group and select either Light Group or Circuit Group.
3. Enter a group name and tap Check.
4. Tap Configure Circuits (or Included Lights) and select the circuits to include.
5. Set an Egg Timer for the group if needed.

Up to 40 groups of light and AUX circuits can be assigned. Groups appear in the Features Groups and Lights Groups screens on the home screen. Within a Circuit Group, each individual circuit can be configured as ON, OFF, or IGNORE when the group is activated.

Freeze Protection per Circuit

Each AUX circuit and Feature Circuit can be individually assigned to freeze protection. When freeze protection is active (triggered when the air temperature drops to 36°F), all circuits with Freeze Protection set to Yes turn on automatically. The main pool filter pump is freeze protected as long as Freeze Protection is enabled. For all other equipment, Freeze Protection must be set individually on each circuit's settings screen.

See the Freeze Protection Setup guide for full details on delay timing and operation.

Speed Assignment for Variable Speed Pumps

If the system uses an IntelliFlo VS, VSF, or VF pump, each AUX circuit can be assigned a specific pump speed (RPM) or flow rate (GPM). The speed assignment tells the pump what speed to run at when that circuit is active. To configure speed circuits for a VS pump:

1. Go to Settings > Advanced System Configuration > Installation Setup > Pumps.
2. Select the IntelliFlo pump.
3. Tap Speed Circuits (or Speed/Flow Circuits for VSF/VF).
4. Tap Add Circuits and select the AUX circuit.
5. Set the desired speed in RPM (range: 450–3,450 RPM for VS; 20–140 GPM for VF).

IntelliBrite Color Lights and Light Shows

AUX circuits assigned the IntelliBrite circuit function unlock color show controls. From the home screen, tap Lights, then the light name, and tap the color dots edit button to access Light Shows and Colors. Available light shows include SAm, Romance, American, Royalty, Party, Caribbean, and Sunset. Fixed colors include White, Blue, Red, Green, and Magenta.

Multiple IntelliBrite lights can be grouped so all lights in a group change together. From the Lights Groups screen, the Sync button synchronizes all lights to the same point in the SAm color rotation. The Swim button creates a wave effect where colors shift across the group with adjustable delays (0–60 seconds per light). The Set button stops all lights on the selected color.

Frequently Asked Questions