Air Conditioning Error Codes. (Fault Codes)
Introduction
When error codes or flashing lights appear on your Air Conditioners’ indoor unit, on the remote controller or a wall mounted controller, this tells the user there’s a problem with either the inside unit or the outside unit. Some indoor units have a flashing display which equates an error code, just in a different format. Obviously something has gone wrong and the system has stopped functioning to prevent any further damage from occurring. The error code, or flashing display, that is shown is a guide for you or your air conditioning technician, a diagnostic starting point so to speak, but more than likely will not inform you as to why it is happening. When you know the error code meaning and its definition, this will help you to partly understand the code, what it means and what action needs to be taken.
There are many hundreds of error codes that are used within the air conditioning industry, and they are mostly different across different manufacturers and across their different models, and so it would be a herculean task to formulate a list of them here. Below is a short list of common error codes from a couple of major air conditioner manufacturers.
How to reset an error code.
CAUTION
The following is intended for persons comfortable with electrical equipment around the home.
We are NOT resetting circuit breakers that have tripped.
If moulded case circuit breakers or earth leakage circuit breakers have tripped, do not reset the breaker immediately without first checking, or have your technician check for any problems with insulation of equipment. Resetting breakers without a check of insulation may cause damage to equipment.
Firstly you must realise that by ‘resetting’ we mean deleting the air conditioners on board memory so as to try a fresh restart. This is not always successful but it is the first step in trying to save you a few dollars with a service call. Some faults are caused by lightning strikes, blackouts and brownouts or various power fluctuations caused by any number of things and just may be the cause of your air conditioner shutting down for safety reasons. The first thing to do is isolate the system from its power supply for 15 – 30 minutes – this means unplugging it from a power point, turning off the isolator mounted adjacent to the outdoor unit or shutting down the power from your home electrical board. The memory will be deleted. It is then a case of crossing your fingers, turning the power back on and restarting the air conditioner. Prepare for disappointment. If the fault is such that it requires expert attention, then the error code will simply reappear.
