Malfunctions and error codes of Ferroli boilers: explanation, causes, solutions

Breakdowns happen even with the most expensive and reliable equipment. If there is something wrong with the gas boiler, you need to calmly figure out what exactly happened.

Perhaps this is not a breakdown, but a minor glitch. The Ferroli boiler displays faults using three LEDs.

Let's figure out what these signals mean, what could be the cause of malfunctions of the Ferolli gas boiler, and how the problem is eliminated.

The most common mistakes

A Ferroli gas boiler, depending on the model, can simultaneously produce several errors that are interconnected. In this case, you need to call a specialist and carry out a comprehensive diagnosis. The problem is not always solved by rebooting the equipment; individual parts may need to be replaced.

A01

The problem is related to the inability to ignite.

There are several reasons for this:

• There is no gas supply - the tap valve on the pipe is closed, or there is no gas in the system itself.
• The pipeline is air-filled - this often happens when the heating system is first started.
• Gas valve malfunctions - manufacturing defects or wear of the element, which causes an emergency shutdown of the boiler.
• The ignition power is insufficient - it does not correspond to the indicators set out in the technical specifications.

• Incorrect angle between the electrode and the burner does not allow ignition.
• The electrode is covered with soot and soot - there is no required conductivity.
• The injectors are not positioned correctly.
• Pressure too low (less than 20 mbar) – the ignition process is blocked.
• Problems with the central control board - arise due to power surges in the network.

Error A01

The error manifests itself as the impossibility of full ignition, or the boiler spontaneously goes out after 5-7 seconds. You can only check the presence of gas in the system yourself, or make sure that its supply valve is open. Further actions are performed only by a technician who will inspect the boiler and diagnose possible faults.

The repair will be aimed at:

• Restoring the required pressure in the system, as well as adjusting the nozzles in accordance with the manufacturer’s requirements.
• Replacing the electrode pair or cleaning them from heavy contamination.

• Replacement of the gas valve, since in most cases it cannot be repaired.
• Setting the correct angle between the electrode and the torch.

If the problem is with the board, it will be replaced with a new one. After the repair is completed, the boiler is restarted and the result is evaluated.

A02

A false signal is generated, which indicates the presence of a flame when the burner is turned off. The boiler operation is blocked and re-ignition is impossible. A common cause is a faulty central control board. Indirect reasons are a broken contact in the wire that connects the board and the electrode, as well as an incorrectly set angle between the burner and the electrode.

It is impossible to eliminate the error yourself, since there is a need to open the gas equipment and inspect all elements of the combustion chamber. The payment is checked first. If there is even the slightest suspicion of a malfunction, install a new one.

A03

The error occurs when the boiler overheats when the water in the circuit exceeds 90℃. For the Ferroli Domiproject C24 model, the temperature sensor is triggered at temperatures above 105℃.

This occurs in the following cases:

• Malfunction of the temperature control sensor itself - broken contacts, short circuit, oxidation at the connection point.
• Voltage instability in the electrical network - it is lower or higher than normal, and there is no stabilizer.
• Pump malfunction - the coolant stops circulating, which leads to overheating of the boiler, while the batteries are cold.

• Airiness of the system - the air warms up faster than the water.
• Low pressure in the heating system - there are leaks or the make-up valve is not closed.
• Problems with the expansion tank, including airiness.

You can do only 3 things yourself: check that the pump is working properly, bleed the air from the batteries and record the voltage in the network.

Further work is carried out by the master:

1. Removing and checking the serviceability of the temperature sensor.
2. Monitoring the operation of the pump, replacing it if there is a malfunction.
3. Assessing the operation of the expansion tank, purging it and pumping it out using a pump.
4. Finding leaks and other causes of very low pressure in the heating system.

First of all, the boiler is allowed to cool, after which the inspection begins.

Expert opinion

Grebnev Vadim Savelievich

Heating system installer

If you are going to bleed air from the radiators, then you need to wait until the water in the system cools down. Otherwise, there is a risk of getting burned during the procedure.

A06

The code appears when the flame goes out some time after ignition.

The reasons may be:

• Insufficient pressure in the gas supply system - the gas may be cut off.
• The injectors are not adjusted, the gas pressure in them is insufficient.
• Soot and deposits on the electrode, its burnout.

• Creating reverse draft in the room, or the fan spontaneously extinguishes the flame.
• Malfunction of the central control board.

Diagnostics are carried out by a master who first of all evaluates the performance of the nozzle and electrode, and also adjusts the distance, if necessary. Next, the smoke exhaust system is audited, after which the operation of the central board is assessed.

A21

The error is associated with a malfunction of the combustion control system, in which the boiler lights up and goes out a large number of times in a limited period of time.

The reasons are:

1. There is no draft in the chimney - the chimney may be clogged or there is icing.
2. Malfunction of the sensor itself - oxidation and wire breakage, short circuit.
3. Failure to set the gas valve correctly - this is done with special equipment.

Only a technician who has permission to carry out repair work on gas equipment will help solve the problem.

F05

After starting the boiler, the fan does not turn on automatically, which may occur for the following reasons:

1. Fan failure - broken or oxidized wires, short circuit.
2. The chimney is clogged - the exhaust gas does not come out.

To fix the problem, remove the fan and check its operation.

F20

The problem occurs when there are various malfunctions of the central board, which can be caused by both voltage surges in the network and burnout of individual contacts. In most cases, the problem can be solved solely by replacing this part with a new one.

Warranty repair

While the warranty period has not yet expired, the owner has the right to receive free repairs and maintenance. Repair may be refused if the following rules and conditions have been violated:

• ventilation was not organized;
• grounding is not done;
• factory seals are broken;
• there is damage on the case, such as dents and scratches;
• high indoor humidity;
• the boiler room is very dusty;
• power surges in the network;
• main gas is of low quality or with pressure drops;
• the oven was overheating.

In all other cases, you can contact the service department responsible for Ferroli boilers in your city:

1. Moscow – “Thermo-Prestige”.
2. St. Petersburg - "Energo Garant".
3. Yekaterinburg (and 80 km around) – “Hat House”.
4. Novosibirsk - "GUDT TeploVodoMontazh".

Errors marked "D"

Technically, these codes are not a significant error that negatively affects the performance of the boiler.

They point out the following:

• D1 – delay before the next boiler switching on. The code often occurs when the hardware is forced to reboot.
• D2 – waiting time for the next water heating cycle.

• D3 – waiting time before the next ignition, when there is a need to re-ignite the boiler if it did not work the first time.
• D4 – forced pause between starts (about 5 minutes).

Expert opinion

Grebnev Vadim Savelievich

Heating system installer

Codes appear and disappear on their own. The boiler can continue to operate when these values ​​are not shown on the display.

Description Ferroli FORTUNA F 24

Ferroli FORTUNAF 24 is an efficient and easy-to-install gas boiler, which is distinguished by the presence of frost protection and an electronic control system. Such a device is placed on the wall and equipped with an atmospheric burner. This model has a reliable pressure gauge and is distinguished by the presence of a liquid crystal display.

Features and Benefits:

• Atmospheric burner
• Volatile
• Circulation pump
• Expansion tank
• Wall installation
• Self-diagnosis
• Frost protection
• Overheat protection thermostat
• Electronic control system
• Pressure gauge
• Anti-blocking pump
• Intuitive controls
• Functional LCD display
• Ionization flame control
• F – closed combustion chamber, C – open
• Heating of the secondary heat exchanger
• Laconic design

The range of high-performance and technological gas boilers FORTUNA from the famous company Ferroli is used for heating water, as well as for heating premises. The presented series depends on electricity, but is economical in operation. There are two types of combustion chambers - open (C models) and closed (F models).

Design features of a double-circuit boiler with two heat exchangers

• high efficiency, compact size and light weight;
• copper primary compact heat exchanger coated with an anti-corrosion heat-resistant composition based on aluminum, which significantly increases service life;
• secondary heat exchanger made of stainless steel, providing high speed heating of hot water supply;
• the combustion chamber is made of steel with anti-corrosion aluminum coating and insulated inside with environmentally friendly material;
• low noise injection burner made of AISI 304 stainless steel;
• electric ignition without igniter, safety system based on ionization electrode;
• three-speed circulation pump;
• anti-blocking system for the heating circuit pump, every 24 hours of inactivity of the boiler turns on the pump for a few seconds;
• bypass circuit in the heating circuit, protecting both the boiler and the system from water hammer;
• an anti-freeze system that will prevent the water in the heating system from freezing, even if the boiler is turned off;
• possibility of connecting remote control;
• Possibility of connecting an outside temperature sensor.

Relatively rare error codes

If gas equipment is worn out or its service life is more than 10 years, then the following atypical error codes may be displayed on the display:

• 
  F39

  – malfunctions in the thermistor, which can be eliminated by replacing the wiring or cleaning oxidized contacts.
• F40 – high pressure in the system. Problems with the expansion tank or a clog in the quick release valve.
• F43 – activation of the heat exchanger safety system, which may indicate airiness in the system, or a pump malfunction.
• F50 – malfunction of the gas fittings, which may cause the board and valve to break. For diagnostics, a forced reboot of the boiler is used.

Sometimes the display shows several codes at once, which indicates a serious breakdown in one segment, or in nearby and interdependent ones. It is not recommended to constantly reboot, as this will not solve the problem, but will only delay it for a while.

Fault indications on different models

Ferroli boilers are equipped with a self-diagnosis system and, if an emergency occurs, they give the user an error code. Knowing the type of malfunction, you can quickly find the cause of its occurrence. Many breakdowns do not require special knowledge to fix.

The manufacturer divided all the problems that arise during the operation of Ferroli boilers into 2 categories:

• Critical errors causing complete blocking. Indicated by the letter “A” before the code. If such a malfunction occurs, it is necessary to fix the problem and restart the boiler by pressing the “reset” or “reset” key.
• Problems causing temporary shutdown of the boiler or one of its components. Indicated by the letter “F” before the code. The automation waits for the situation to normalize, after which it will restart the boiler itself.

Error code information can be displayed on the LCD or remote control. For older models, you can find out the type of failure by looking at the indicators.

If the boiler does not have an LCD display, the type of error can be recognized by the flashing lights. For each problem, the user manual describes a unique combination of indicator behavior

Also, sometimes a code starting with the letter “D” appears on the screen. This is technical information warning the user that the boiler is changing from one mode to another.

General tips and recommendations for the proper operation of Ferroli boilers

To reduce the risk of breakdowns, it is enough to follow simple but effective tips:

• Do not use a faulty boiler if the codes appear on the display constantly. You need to call a specialist.
• Be sure to connect the boiler to electricity through a stabilizer. This brand is vulnerable to fluctuations, which affects the board.

• Go through preventive diagnostics every year, and don’t forget to descale the heat exchanger.
• Monitor the pressure in the system and do not forget to close the feed tap.
• Do not use the boiler at full power. If it is not enough to fully heat large areas, you need to choose a more powerful model.

Never use faulty gas equipment, as this is life-threatening. If breakdowns occur, you cannot open the boiler yourself, much less repair individual parts. Only a licensed specialist is authorized to perform this type of work.

How to setup

The basic settings of the Ferroli boiler are carried out at the manufacturer . At the first start, additional adjustments are made to the parameters of all communications to ensure full compliance with the operating modes of the system and the supply of resources - gas, water, voltage.

The upper and lower limits of temperature and pressure of liquids, gas, and other important parameters are also determined.

Most actions are performed from the external control panel; the casing has to be opened only when carrying out complex repair work or to connect a room thermostat.

NOTE!

The setup must be carried out by a technician from the service center, otherwise the warranty agreement will become invalid or important components of the unit will fail due to improper operation.

Questions and answers

I often hear an unpleasant smell of exhaust gas. This was not the case in another boiler that was installed earlier. What to do?

Check if the hood is clogged, especially if the problem occurs in winter. Ice can cause a blockage that prevents the complete removal of exhaust gas. In any case, it is better to call a technician and check the ventilation duct.

When I don’t use the boiler for a long time, and then turn it on, I see the fh code on the display. I read in the technical specifications that this is a forced extraction of air from the system. Why does this code appear quite often and does this procedure need to be done monthly?

This process is not an error. You can also skip by clicking on the combination of corresponding buttons. Do not unplug the boiler from the outlet unless necessary, then all settings will be saved and the boiler will start up faster.

I don’t understand why, but ignition does not happen immediately, but about 5-7 seconds after startup. Accordingly, a characteristic bang occurs, the force of which significantly vibrates the wall of the boiler. I understand that this is not normal, the instructions indicate that the voltage may be reduced. What to do?

Try connecting the boiler through a voltage stabilizer. The problem is especially common among residents of apartment buildings. If it doesn’t help, then you need to call a specialist. Ignition should not cause a strong bang.

In conclusion, it is worth noting that Ferroli gas boilers also encounter breakdowns and malfunctions, which are recorded in the form of code values. If they appear, you need to call a specialist to diagnose and fix the problems. Otherwise, the boiler will be faulty and its use will be life-threatening.

Peculiarities

The Ferroli Fortuna F24 model has the following overall dimensions - 440x742x235 mm (WxHxD), and weight is 35 kg. Installation is carried out on the wall, it is convenient and saves space in the room.

Basic parameters and operating principle. The convection type of device involves the generation of heat by combustion of gas fuel, while the boiler operates on natural gas (methane, consumption 2.27 cubic meters per hour) and liquefied gas (propane-butane mixture, consumption 2.05 kg/hour).

To obtain the declared power of 24 kW, the natural gas pressure must be at the level of 10-25 mbar, and the permissible liquefied pressure must be 37 mbar; reducing these parameters will result in a decrease in thermal power. ExpertKotel.ru reminds that most often in domestic networks the pressure is 12-20 mbar. The efficiency of the installation, with such values, is declared to be at a very good level and amounts to 93.1%.

Heating of water and coolant in pipes. This boiler is capable of producing 13.7 l/min of hot water (t=30°C). The coolant temperature is 30-85°C, and in the hot water supply circuit - 35-55°C.

Heating of water and coolant in pipes. This boiler is capable of producing 11.3 l/min of hot water (t=35°C). The coolant temperature is 30-85°C, and in the hot water supply circuit - 35-55°C.

Primary heat exchanger. In the case of Ferroli Fortuna F24, copper is used, its advantages are good heat dissipation, compactness, low weight, and most importantly, corrosion resistance.

The expansion tank is designed to compensate for the expansion of the coolant in the pipes during heating and releases it back into the system when cooling. This maintains constant pressure in the circuit.

The circulation pump is designed to circulate coolant (water, antifreeze) through the heating circuit; it is a mandatory component of a closed-type heating system; in our case, the pump is included.

Fuel economy

Modulation of the burner flame smoothly changes the intensity of the fuel supply and, if necessary, reduces or increases the flame, which reduces gas consumption.

Automatic ignition (Electric ignition) allows Ferroli Fortuna F24 to start and extinguish the burner according to an algorithm when necessary, which saves fuel.

• Gas consumption
• Meaning
• Natural
• Liquefied

Management and control

The Ferroli Fortuna F24 gas boiler is electronically controlled, equipped with a display and has a port for connecting additional devices (usually thermostats, programmers, room remote controls, etc.). The advantage of the electronic system is that it does not require the constant presence of a person and allows significant fuel savings (as described above), the disadvantage is that it is more complex than a mechanical one and depends on voltage surges (it can fail during surges).

Thermometer and pressure gauge. A thermometer is necessary to control the temperature of the coolant in the boiler, and a pressure gauge shows the pressure of the coolant; this is an important parameter, because exceeding it can lead to breakdown of individual parts or the system as a whole.

Protection systems

Gas control - a useful and necessary function of the burner automatically stops the gas supply if the flame goes out for any reason.

Air vent. An important element of the safety group, when the pressure in the heating system increases, the air vent automatically removes excess air from it, usually working together with a safety valve.

The Ferroli Fortuna F24 safety valve stabilizes the water pressure in the circuit when an unsafe limit is reached.

Protection against pump blocking is activated when the boiler installation is idle for a long time; in this case, the pump turns on for a while and turns itself off. The function is useful in summer when the heating circuit is not activated.

Protection against freezing of the coolant automatically turns on the burner for a short time when the water temperature drops to a critical level and there is a risk of heating defrosting. ExpertKotel.ru reminds that for this there must be gas and electricity.

Protection against overheating of the coolant turns off the burner if an abnormal water temperature value is detected.

Connection

• The size for connecting the gas pipe is 1/2″.
• It is possible to connect a separate chimney - 80x80 mm.
• Hot water supply - 1/2″.
• To connect the heating circuit - 3/4″.
• The diameter of the coaxial chimney is 60/100 mm.

For power supply, a single-phase network (220 volts) with a pure sine wave and grounding is required.

Analysis of some design solutions

Since the market for household gas boilers is quite densely populated, there is always the opportunity to compare the main operational parameters of competing boilers.
In units from the Ferroli brand, the injection burner heads are made of AISI 304 stainless steel (for comparison, German-made boilers use AISI 310S steel). Significant disadvantages of AISI 304 steel are its inability to withstand elevated temperatures for a long time, as well as insufficient mechanical strength. Let us present for comparison the chemical compositions of both steel grades listed above, precisely from the point of view of the required durability:

A comparison of the chemical composition clearly shows: although formally both steels belong to the low-carbon class, the strength of AISI 310S steel is 40% higher than that of AISI 304 steel. The data on heat resistance becomes even more expressive: if AISI 310S can withstand temperatures up to 1000 ° C for a long time, then AISI 304 short-term – up to 900°C, and long-term – up to 600°C.
There are similar questions regarding the selected heat exchanger material: Ferroli boilers use aluminum alloy, while similar products from Vissmann use cast iron. Although this circumstance slightly increases the mass of the boiler, the durability of cast iron heat exchangers is almost 1.5 times greater than the durability of aluminum ones. Some models use heat exchangers made of copper, but their strength is inferior to cast iron. This solution may cause malfunctions of Ferroli gas boilers.