Zodiac Ei 18 Compact Genuine Chlorinator Electrode - W197611

Zodiac Ei 18 Compact Genuine Chlorinator Cell / Electrode

This is the genuine Zodiac replacement electrode for the Ei 18 Compact salt chlorinator. Supplied as the electrode only — the clear housing, locking collar and clamp are separate parts. 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 Ei 18 (Compact)
• Zodiac Ei Series Compact

It Does Not Suit These — Order These Instead

• Ei 25 — uses W197621 (buy here)
• Ei Xpert / TRi / eXO iQ / EL — use the W1974xx electrode range (buy here)
• Clearwater LM3 — uses the W1965xx electrode range (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: W197611
• Output: 18 g/hr
• Plates: 11 solid plates
• Type: Reverse-polarity, self-cleaning
• Supplied as: Electrode only — housing not included
• Brand: Zodiac, 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)
• R0768200 — Zodiac Ei cell locking collar / locking ring (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

Does this come with the housing?
No. This part is the electrode only. The Ei housing, locking collar, clamp and seal gasket are separate parts.

How many plates does the Ei cell have?
Eleven solid plates, rated at 18 grams per hour.

Will the Ei 25 electrode fit my Ei 18?
No. The Ei 18 and Ei 25 use different electrodes. Match on the size printed on the cell label, not on the chlorinator name alone.

Is the Ei electrode the same as the TRi or eXO cell?
No. The Ei Series uses its own electrode. The Ei Xpert, TRi, TRi-XO, eXO iQ and EL share a different range (W1974xx). Check the part number on your existing cell before ordering.

Should I replace the locking collar or o-ring at the same time?
Not always, but inspect them. A perished seal is the usual cause of a leak after a cell change and both are inexpensive.

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 W197611, Ei 18 cell, Ei compact electrode, Zodiac Ei series cell, Ei 18 salt cell, genuine Zodiac electrode, 18 gram cell, WWDG SpaPro.