Zodiac Clearwater LM3-20 Genuine Chlorinator Electrode - W196574

Zodiac Clearwater LM3-20 Genuine Chlorinator Electrode

This is the genuine Zodiac Clearwater replacement electrode for the LM3-20 salt chlorinator. Supplied as the electrode only — the cell housing is a separate part. Supplied by an authorised Zodiac / Fluidra dealer and warranty agent, not an aftermarket copy.

• We keep these physically in stock for fast shipping or local pick-up, unlike most drop-shipping websites.
• Shipped from VIC, NSW, WA, QLD

Which Chlorinators Does This Cell Suit?

• Zodiac Clearwater LM3-20

It Does Not Suit These — Order These Instead

• Clearwater LM3-15 — uses W196564 (buy here)
• Clearwater LM3-24 — uses W196584 (buy here)
• Clearwater LM3-30 — uses W196594 (buy here)
• Clearwater LM3-40 — uses W196604 (buy here)
• Clearwater LM2 — uses a complete cell from the W2020xx range — the LM2 and LM3 are not interchangeable (buy here)
• Clearwater D25 / EL-1 / Aquasphere — uses W202111 (buy here)
• Clearwater C200 / C250 — uses W193871 (buy here)

See the full range of genuine Astralpool and Zodiac chlorinator cells and electrodes.

Electrode Only — Check Your Housing First (rule CELL-1.0)

This part is the electrode: the plate stack that wears out. The housing is the clear barrel it sits inside. The housing does not wear, it fails — so inspect it before you order:

1. Withdraw the electrode from the housing. Flaking plates, bare grey titanium or heavy pitting means the electrode is finished.
2. Hold the empty housing up to the light. Clear, uncracked, not crazed, smooth sealing faces — keep it, and this electrode is all you need.
3. Cracked, crazed, milky, brittle or weeping at the unions — the housing needs replacing too. A damaged housing will not seal against a new electrode. Contact us and we will quote the housing separately.

Replace the o-ring either way. It is a few dollars and it is the usual cause of a leak after a cell change.

Specifications

• Part number: W196574 (Electrode LM3 20 Packed, AUS)
• Model: LM3-20
• Type: Reverse-polarity, self-cleaning
• Supplied as: Electrode only — housing not included
• Supplied with: Internal floating adaptor
• Brand: Zodiac Clearwater, a Fluidra brand

Chlorine output is set by the chlorinator's power supply, not by the electrode alone. The same cell can produce a different gram-per-hour figure in different models, which is why published output figures for these parts vary between sellers. Match on chlorinator model, not on a gram rating.

Warranty

This cell is covered by the Zodiac express warranty under the current Fluidra warranty schedule. The term depends on the chlorinator it is fitted to and on whether the installation is residential or commercial, so check the current figure on our warranty information page or ask us before you order. Cover is conditional — the conditions below are the ones that actually catch people out.

Warranty Conditions Worth Knowing

• It must be bought from a Fluidra Authorised Dealer. Zodiac's express warranty only applies to product purchased from an authorised dealer. We are one. A cell bought from an unauthorised online seller may not be covered at all.
• Cover starts 30 days after the date of purchase to allow for installation.
• Residential single-dwelling pools. Cells used at hotels, swim schools, rehabilitation centres, apartment or townhouse complexes and other multi-dwelling or commercial sites are covered for a shorter period.
• Water chemistry is a condition. Cover assumes water balanced to AS 3633, pH held between 7.2 and 7.8, and free chlorine not exceeding 4ppm. Damage from scaling or corrosion caused by out-of-balance water is excluded. Keep your test results.
• Register the product with myFluidra using the serial number and proof of purchase.

Full details on our warranty information page.

Why the Warranty Is Better Here

• We are an authorised Zodiac and Fluidra dealer and warranty agent, so buying from us satisfies the authorised-dealer condition on its own.
• Claims are assessed and handled by us in-house, not bounced to a supplier who bounces you to the manufacturer.
• Our team includes ex-Astralpool and ex-Hurlcon technicians who built and serviced this equipment.

Genuine Only — And Why That Matters

The replacement cell market is full of aftermarket, generic and copy electrodes, often listed so they look like the real thing. Non-genuine cells typically use a lighter titanium substrate and a lower-grade mixed-metal-oxide coating, which wears through early and drops chlorine output well before the promised life. Fitting a non-genuine part can also affect cover on the chlorinator itself. If a genuine cell is advertised well below the going rate, it is worth asking what is actually being sent.

Related Parts

• R0739000 — Zodiac electrode o-ring, set of 2. Suits TRi, eXO iQ, Hydroxinator iQ, EL, MagnaPool and Ei Xpert (buy here)

When to Replace

Replace the electrode when the chlorinator reports low output or a low-salt fault that persists after the salt level is confirmed correct, when the plates show bare titanium or flaking coating, or when chlorine production has clearly fallen off with balanced water. Scale on the plates is not failure — a scaled cell often recovers after cleaning. Check for scale before condemning a cell, particularly in hard-water areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will an LM3 electrode fit my LM2 chlorinator?
No. The LM2 and LM3 are different generations and the electrodes are not interchangeable. Zodiac sells dedicated LM2-to-LM3 conversion kits for exactly this reason. If you have an LM2, order the complete LM2 cell instead, or ask us about converting.

Does this come with the housing?
No. This is the electrode only. If your housing is cracked, crazed, milky or weeping at the unions, it needs replacing too — a damaged housing will not seal against a new electrode.

What is the floating adaptor?
The genuine LM3 electrode is supplied with a new internal floating adaptor. The old adaptor must be removed before the new one is fitted. It can jam in the housing, in which case ease it out carefully with a small flat-bladed screwdriver.

I have a pre-2006 LM3. Do I need extra parts?
Usually not. Zodiac's position is that the extra parts are only needed if there is a specific problem with the housing. Check the housing condition first.

How do I confirm I have an LM3-20?
The model is printed on the label on top of the cell. If it is unreadable, send us a photo of the cell and the power pack and we will identify it.

Manufacturer Catalogues, Diagrams & Part Numbers

Need exploded views, spare part numbers, product numbers or diagrams? See the manufacturer catalogue: Astralpool Catalogue 2026

Before ordering: confirm this part is correct for your equipment. Use the catalogue above, seek professional assistance, or contact us with photos of your existing part, model details, serial numbers and any labels. As with all products, this must be diagnosed and fitted by a qualified and experienced person.

Common search terms: Zodiac W196574, LM3-20 cell, Clearwater LM3 20 electrode, LM3 20 salt cell, Zodiac Clearwater cell, genuine LM3 electrode, WWDG SpaPro.