Finding out the reason for activated ERROR LED

Finding out the reason for activated ERROR LED

Error LED is used for indicating an abnormal status of the relay. This document explains how to find out what the error message is, what are the error messages and what they mean and also how to possibly fix them.

Finding out the error message

If you are able to get a connection to relay via AQtivate setting tool and load the aqs-configuration file it is possible to see the IRF (Internal Relay Fault) message in Monitoring à Device Diagnostics à Internal relay fault status.


If the parameter Internal Relay Fault status displays a number above zero click on the number box and a window showing the activated errors appears.


How to clear the relay fault status

Once relay fault status has been activated the IRF message will persist until it is cleared. Using either AQtivate setting tool or the relays HMI write Clear to the parameter Clear Fault status. Please note that you must write it to relay either by having Live Edit mode on or by clicking Commands > Write changed.


If after trying to clear the fault the error is still present the relay fault still exists. If the fault doesn’t exist anymore the Internal Relay Fault status will return to zero and Error LED will turn off.

Meanings of the relay fault statuses

Relay hardware setup error

The most common error is the relay hardware setup error. AQ-200 series IEDs are always assigned with specific hardware setup. This is displayed in General menu with parameter.

If in this example case the “BBA” indicates that in addition to the default CPU, VT and CT card there should be also two digital input cards (BBA) and the last free slot should be empty (BBA). But if we look at the example figure captured from Monitoring à Device Diagnostics we can see that there is actually an output relay added to the last free slot (Slot F).


Since the relay is not expecting there to be output card in the last slot (hardware configuration in AQ-F215-PH-BBA) this will result as Relay hardware setup error. If an additional optional card has been added to relay Arcteq Relays can assist you to correct the relay hardware setup. Arcteq Support will assist you.

Safe settings mode activated

Activating safe settings mode will activate the Error LED to indicate that the relay is in abnormal state (relay outputs will not be controlled despite them being programmed to do so). Once the safe settings mode has been toggled off (Commands à Toggle safe settings mode) the relay HMI will not display a skull symbol anymore and the IRF message can be cleared.

Slot supervision error

There are several possible reasons for slot supervision to occur. Some of the reasons (but not limited to) can be:

1. Current or voltage measurement cards self-supervision voltage is out of the specified range

2. CPU-cards internal temperature measurement is outside the specified range

3. CPU-cards internal +24V voltage measurement is outside the specified range

4. The output relays tripping coils self-supervision has detected a fault

Some of the slot supervision errors are due to temporary causes like the internal voltage changing due to temporary interference in the voltage supplied for the relay. Some slot supervision errors are more permanent.

To determine what the cause for slot supervision error could be it is advised to contact us via helpdesk with a ticket and with an aqs-configuration file loaded from the relay after the IRF has been activated. The log files in the aqs file can be then examined by Arcteq Relays to possibly determine the cause for slot supervision error.

Other IRF messages

Relay Fault messages not mentioned in this document are used by the developers or the manufacturers of AQ-200 series and are not a concern of the customer. 


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