FC / CC / CYA
Free chlorine, combined chlorine, and cyanuric acid. Start here for residential sanitizer and stabilizer basics.
Use the chemistry baseline page.
Chemistry
Core water numbers
These terms control routine dosing, balance, and scale pressure.
pH / TA / CH
The balancing numbers that move comfort, buffering, calcium, and corrosion risk.
Use the testing guide when the reading changes your next move.
CSI
Calcium saturation index. It tells you when scale or etching pressure is building.
Use the scale-risk guide when surfaces or heaters are scaling.
Testing
Liquid kit shorthand
These terms show up when a result needs more precision than a strip can give.
DPD / FAS-DPD
The chlorine test chemistry used for accurate FC and CC readings during dosing and troubleshooting.
Use the Taylor walkthrough for the reagent order.
Taylor kit
The liquid test kit family used for the most reliable residential chlorine and balance readings.
Use the same kit before you change chemistry.
Photometer
A reader that can help when a color comparator is hard to trust, but still needs sample discipline.
Use the testing-accuracy page to compare methods.
Equipment
Control and chlorination terms
These terms show up on the pad, in automation menus, and in sanitizer hardware discussions.
SWG
Salt water chlorine generator. It still needs FC/CYA management, scale control, and family-specific manual limits.
Use the salt-system page before you clean or adjust it.
ORP
Oxidation-reduction potential. Useful as a control clue, but not a replacement for direct FC testing in cyanurated pools.
Use the automation guide when a controller is driving the number.
autofill
The water-level system that can hide real water loss if you do not account for it explicitly.
Use the drain/refill and leak pages when water level is the issue.
socket / hub / spigot
Socket and hub usually mean the fitting cup that accepts pipe; spigot means the outside diameter is sized to glue into another fitting.
Use the pad map before ordering repair fittings.
socket saver
A fitting reamer that can remove old pipe from a glued socket so a valve or fitting may be reused when cutting back would be expensive.
Useful only when the fitting, wall thickness, and pressure consequence make sense.
split nut / union
A serviceable connection. A cracked union nut may be replaceable with a split nut before anyone cuts out good plumbing.
Record union size and equipment family.
Safety
Code and hazard terms
These terms mean 'stop and verify' more often than they mean 'keep guessing.'
GFCI
Ground-fault protection for pool electrical circuits. Treat any repeated trip as a serious fault, not an annoyance.
Use the electrical checks page for owner-safe inspection only.
AHJ / VGB
Authority having jurisdiction and anti-entrapment drain-cover language. These are code and safety terms, not DIY shortcuts.
Use the codes and standards page when code language drives the decision.
hydrostatic
The groundwater and lift-force idea that matters when draining or refilling can damage a shell or liner.
Use the drain planning page before water leaves the pool.
Pool Glossary and Core Terms
Jump from the shorthand new owners see most often to the playbook that explains it.
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1
Start with the term family
Pick the card that matches the abbreviation or concept you do not know yet.
2
Open the deeper playbook
Open the linked playbook to see the term explained in context.
Resources (6)
Pool Chemistry 101
Use the chemistry baseline when the glossary term is FC, CC, CYA, pH, TA, CH, or CSI.
Pool Water Testing and Accuracy
Use the testing guide when the glossary term is about liquid-kit technique or result confidence.
Taylor test kit
Use the kit walkthrough when the term is DPD, FAS-DPD, reagent order, or endpoint reading.
Salt systems and cell care
Use the salt-system guide when the term is SWG or family-specific chlorination hardware.
Automation and calibration
Use the automation guide when the term is ORP, probe calibration, or freeze logic.
Electrical and bonding owner checks
Use the electrical guide when the term is GFCI or other owner-safe electrical language.
Educational guidance only. Verify labels, manuals, local code, and site conditions before acting. Stop for electrical, gas, structural, drain, drowning, injury, emergency, or chemical-mixing risk.