Inground vs. Aboveground Pumps

 

	What's the difference between and in-ground and an above-ground pump?  Pumps are engineered for pressure and flow.  Inground pools run under higher pressure, while above ground pools run under lower pressure.
An inground pool has longer piping runs and more pieces of equipment which create greater backpressure (resistance to flow).  Aboveground pools usually shorter piping runs and less equipment and operate under much less backpressure.

Total Dynamic Head

The Total Dynamic Head of an in-ground Pool System is much different from that of an above-ground pool system. 

An above ground pool requires a pump that operates at a lower TDH, while an in-ground pool requires a pump that operates at a medium to high TDH.  An in-ground pool with a spa, requires a higher TDH than a pool without a spa.

Pump Curve Comparison

If you look at the pump curve for the two types of pumps, you will immediately notice the difference between the two types of pumps.  The Dynamo (above-ground pump) could not even perform at the level required for the in-ground pool.  The Challenger (in-ground pump) works fine at the TDH level of an in-ground pool.  Conversely, the Challenger would not be a good choice for an above-ground pool because it is designed for a higher pressure application.

Note that both pumps provide approximately the same level of flow in their respective applications, but operate at different levels of pressure.