An overcurrent message means that your Hydrawise enabled controller has detected high current in the wiring to a zone valve and has automatically turned the zone off. This issue is usually due to a WIRING SHORT or BAD SOLENOID. Overcurrent can also cause other problems in the system, such as the controller rebooting due to the wiring issue (i.e., there is not enough power for the controller).
Most Hydrawise controllers have a built-in milliamp sensor that detects current (controller model HC-600i does not have the current-sensing option). A typical solenoid uses 200 to 400 mA. If you have a master valve, this value can change to 300 to 500 mA. The OVERCURRENT message will display in the events log or via an alert if the sensor detects a high current overload, which results from a level above 900 mA (for HCC controllers, the alert occurs for levels above 1,200 mA).
If this happens, the controller will experience the following:
- The controller will shut down (power off). Wait one to two minutes and restart the controller.
- The shutdown occurs to protect the controller. All stations will stop, and the controller will reset after about two minutes.
- The controller will reconnect to the internet and restart any zones that were scheduled to start after the reboot.
- It will not restart the faulty zone that caused the overcurrent alert unless the zone has another start time or if Cycle & Soak was enabled.
- It will send an in-app alert, if one is set up, to your phone.
- It will also record a reset warning in the contractor events log.
- Basic Troubleshooting
- Viewing the Diagnostics Report
- Viewing the Overcurrent Message on the Events Screen
- Creating the Alert
- Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the wire from the zone terminal that is receiving the message.
- If a pump or master valve is wired, remove the wire from the P/MV terminal. This will also isolate if it is causing the overcurrent alert.
- If you receive an OVERCURRENT on ALL ZONES, the issues could be with the pump connections, master valve wire or solenoid, or the common wire to all the zones.
- Turn on the zone manually from the controller or from the app.
- If the zone appears to run normally from the controller (no water), inspect the field wiring and solenoid.
- Field wiring: Verify that there is no corrosion in the wire splice at the valve and that the solenoid connection is good.
- Solenoid: You can easily test the solenoid by wiring straight to the controller and turning the zone on manually (e.g., com terminal and Zone 1).
IMPORTANT: If the message continues to appear after the wiring and solenoid were thoroughly inspected, the controller may be receiving electrical noise from an external power source (e.g., a circuit breaker).
- Select the REPORTS
icon on the lower, right-hand side of the app.
- Scroll through the REPORTS using the tabs at the top.
- Select DIAGNOSTICS.
- Hover over the zone with the OVERCURRENT issue. The mA current will be displayed.
- Select the MENU
icon on the upper, left-hand side of the app.
- Scroll through to ACCOUNT.
- Select EVENTS. Your overcurrent events will be displayed in red.
- Select the MENU
- Scroll through to ACCOUNT.
- Select ALERTS.
- Add ALERT NAME and TYPE - HIGH CURRENT - WIRING SHORT TO SOLENOID.
- Select NEXT.
- Apply the controller for this ALERT.
- Check the APP NOTIFICATION and TEXT NOTIFICATION, if applicable.
- The app notification will send an in-app alert.
- The text notification will send you a direct text message.