Every Hayward pool pump motor has a data plate sticker that contains everything you need to find an exact replacement — if you can read it. The trouble is that the plate uses abbreviations and codes that aren’t obvious if you’ve never worked on motors before. This guide walks through how to decode every spec on a Hayward motor label so you can order the right replacement on the first try.
Where to find the data plate
On a Hayward pool pump motor, the data plate is a metal or laminated sticker on the side of the motor housing, usually halfway between the front (impeller end) and the back (cooling fan end). On Super Pump and TriStar models it sits between the two through-bolts. On Northstar and Max-Flo it’s often on the top of the housing.
Photograph the plate before you do anything else. The combination of grease, sun, and corrosion can make a 5-year-old label unreadable. A clear photo while it’s still legible is your insurance.
The key fields you need to identify
| Field | What to look for | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Model Number | Starts with “SP” (Super Pump), “TX” (TriStar), “EC” (EcoStar), or numeric for legacy models | The single fastest way to cross-reference a complete replacement |
| HP (Horsepower) | 0.75, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 typically | Determines impeller compatibility; must match exactly |
| SF (Service Factor) | 1.0, 1.1, 1.25, 1.4, 1.5, 1.65 | Combined with HP, this is the “real” horsepower — HP × SF = Total HP |
| Frame Size | 48Y (square flange) or 56Y (round flange) | Bolt-hole pattern. Wrong frame = wrong fit, no exceptions |
| Voltage | 115V, 230V, or 115/230V (dual) | Must match what your pool wiring supplies. Dual is most common. |
| Phase | 1-PH or 3-PH | Residential is always 1-phase; commercial may be 3-phase |
| RPM | 3450, 1725/3450 (two-speed), or VS (variable-speed) | Determines whether the motor is single-, two-, or variable-speed |
| Hz | 60 Hz (North America), 50 Hz (Europe) | Confirms region; wrong Hz = motor won’t run at correct speed |
Reading the abbreviations
A typical Hayward motor data plate might list:
HAYWARD 1HP 115/230V 60Hz 1PH 48Y SF 1.65 3450RPM
Translation:
- 1 HP — 1 horsepower nameplate.
- 115/230V — dual-voltage motor. Wired internally to one or the other; check the wiring diagram on the back of the cap.
- 60 Hz, 1 PH — standard North American single-phase power.
- 48Y — 48-frame motor with square-flange mounting. The Y suffix indicates pool-pump specific (different than 48 plain).
- SF 1.65 — can deliver 1.65 × nameplate HP under continuous load. So actual usable power is 1.65 HP, not 1.0.
- 3450 RPM — single-speed motor running at standard 60Hz/4-pole induction speed.
The “HP × SF = Total HP” trick
Hayward motors are typically labeled with a nameplate HP that’s deliberately conservative. The actual peak output is HP × SF. So a 1.0 HP / SF 1.65 motor and a 1.5 HP / SF 1.0 motor produce roughly the same useful power (1.65 vs 1.5 HP), even though the nameplate numbers look different.
When cross-referencing replacements, calculate Total HP on the old motor and match it on the new one. A motor with the same Total HP, same frame, and same voltage will work even if the nameplate HP is different.
What if the label is unreadable?
If the data plate is faded, painted over, or chewed up:
- Look for a model number engraved on the motor itself (sometimes embossed near the data plate).
- Check the pump body for a model sticker — the pump and motor are usually a matched pair.
- Measure the motor: shaft diameter, bolt pattern, and overall length tell you the frame size.
- Send PST Pool Supplies the photos and measurements; we can usually narrow it to two or three candidates.
Once you have the specs — ordering the right motor
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