Product Overview

The Hayward CAT 5500 Chemical Control System with WiFi | CAT5500-WIFICA is an advanced commercial water chemistry controller designed for automated pH, ORP, temperature, TDS, and salt/NaCl monitoring and control. It is particularly well suited for commercial saltwater pool applications where accurate chemical control, remote monitoring, and detailed system oversight are required.

The CAT 5500 continuously evaluates pool water chemistry and activates connected chemical-feed equipment proportionally to demand. Integrated WiFi communication provides remote access through Hayward's PoolComm platform for system monitoring, alarms, historical data, and controller management.

Advanced Water Chemistry Control

The CAT 5500 automatically samples water and compares measured pH and ORP values against programmed setpoints. When chemical adjustment is required, the controller can activate connected chemical-feed equipment proportionally to system demand.

The system also monitors conductivity for TDS and salt/NaCl concentration, making it especially useful for pools equipped with commercial salt chlorine generation systems. Hayward identifies the CAT 5500 as an ideal complement to its commercial Saline C salt chlorine generator platform.

Remote WiFi Monitoring

The CAT5500-WIFICA adds remote communication capability through WiFi. With an appropriately configured PoolComm account, operators can remotely review water-quality information, alarms, logs, and controller status instead of relying exclusively on equipment-room inspection.

Hayward documentation notes that PoolComm services may be subject to account or subscription requirements, so operators should confirm current service terms when commissioning the system.

Key Features

Automatic pH and ORP control

Monitors TDS and NaCl/salt concentration

Integrated water-temperature monitoring

WiFi communication for remote system access

Compatible with Hayward PoolComm remote monitoring

Derived sanitizer PPM capability

Dual sanitizer setpoints for backup ORP control

Professional-Series pH sensor

Professional-Series ORP sensor

Conductivity sensor for TDS/NaCl monitoring

Machined acrylic professional flow cell

Rotary flow sensor

Proportional chemical-feed control

Multiple programmable auxiliary outputs

Compatible with external chemical-feed pumps

Chlorine-generator interface capability

pH priority-feed function

Supplemental sanitizer-feed modes

Chemical overfeed timeout protection

High and low pH alarms

High and low ORP alarms

Flow alarm protection

Water-level and chemical-tank monitoring capabilities with optional sensors

Visual and audible alarms

Remote email/text alert capability when configured with applicable remote services

NSF/ANSI Standard 50 certified for applicable pH/ORP functions

Specifications

Hayward's current CAT 5500 specifications identify CAT5500-WIFICA as the professional package with Temp/TDS, WiFi, and derived PPM, and specify the machined acrylic flow cell and rotary flow sensor for the Professional Package.

What's Included

The CAT5500-WIFICA professional package is configured with the major components required for water-quality sensing and control, including:

• CAT 5500 wireless water-quality controller
• WiFi communication capability
• Professional-Series pH sensor
• Professional-Series ORP sensor
• Conductivity sensor for salt/TDS monitoring
• Temperature sensor
• Machined acrylic Professional-Series flow cell
• Rotary flow sensor
• PVC mounting backboard
• Installation tubing and fittings
• Sensor mounting and connection components

Chemical storage tanks, metering pumps, salt chlorine generators, and other chemical-feed equipment are generally selected separately according to the facility's application.

Warranty & Compatibility

Safety & Alarm Features

The CAT 5500 provides multiple safeguards for commercial chemical-control applications, including:

• pH high and low alarms
• ORP high and low alarms
• Flow-loss protection
• pH and ORP overfeed timeout
• pH priority feed
• Supplemental sanitizer-feed modes
• Water-level monitoring capability
• Chemical-tank level monitoring capability
• Temperature monitoring
• Audible and visual alarms
• Remote alarm capabilities

The flow-monitoring system can disable automated chemical feeding when inadequate circulation is detected, helping prevent chemical feeding when proper sample-water flow is unavailable.

Customer-Facing Q&A

Q: Does the CAT5500-WIFICA control both pH and chlorine?
A: It controls pH and sanitizer activity through ORP. The controller activates compatible chemical-feed or chlorine-generation equipment based on programmed chemistry setpoints.

Q: Does it measure salt levels?
A: Yes. The CAT 5500 includes conductivity monitoring that allows the system to monitor NaCl/salt and TDS concentrations up to 7,500 ppm.

Q: Does CAT5500-WIFICA include WiFi?
A: Yes. CAT5500-WIFICA is the WiFi-equipped version of the CAT 5500 Professional Package.

Q: Does it include pH and ORP sensors?
A: Yes. The system includes Hayward Professional-Series pH and ORP sensors, along with a conductivity sensor for salt/TDS monitoring.

Q: Does it include chemical feed pumps?
A: No. Chemical-feed systems such as acid pumps, chlorine pumps, CO2 systems, and chemical tanks are separate accessories selected according to the installation.

Q: Can it work with a commercial salt chlorine generator?
A: Yes. The CAT 5500 is designed specifically with salt-chlorination applications in mind and includes chlorine-generator interface capabilities.

Q: What is the warranty?
A: Hayward specifies a 5-year limited warranty on the controller, 2 years on sensors, and 1 year on wearable items.