Rivacold HP Error Code
High discharge-pressure alarm — the controller stops the unit; manual or semi-automatic reset
Source: Carel/commercial/0300099EN.pdf
What does Rivacold HP mean?
On the Carel controllers fitted to Rivacold plug-in units, HP is the high discharge pressure alarm: when discharge pressure exceeds the configured threshold (HPt), the controller immediately stops the unit and shows HP on the display. Reset is selectable between manual and semi-automatic — semi-automatic clears once the discharge pressure falls back below HPt minus the differential (HPU), but once the maximum number of automatic resets (HPo) is exceeded in the evaluation period, the alarm requires a manual reset.
Symptoms
- Display shows HP and the unit is stopped
- Gauges confirm discharge pressure at or above the trip threshold before shutdown
- Repeated trips end in a latched alarm that no longer auto-clears (manual reset required)
- Condenser noticeably hot, fouled, or its fan not running
Common causes
- Dirty or blocked condenser coil, or obstructed condenser airflow
- Condenser fan failure or wrong rotation
- Ambient too high or hot-air recirculation around the condensing section
- Refrigerant overcharge or non-condensables in the system
- High-pressure threshold/switch set too low for the application
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Diagnostic steps
Confirm the trip is real
Fit gauges and read the actual discharge pressure before resetting. A genuine over-pressure needs a cause found — do not keep resetting a unit that trips again.
Check the condenser first
Clean a fouled coil, confirm the condenser fan runs and turns the right way, and clear anything blocking airflow or recirculating hot air back into the unit.
Check ambient and installation
Verify the unit's location is within its rated ambient and has the clearances the installation manual calls for — a boxed-in condensing section will trip HP on hot days.
Reset per the controller's reset mode
If reset is semi-automatic it clears when pressure falls below the threshold minus the differential; once the maximum number of automatic resets is used up, the alarm must be reset manually.
Suspect the refrigerant side last
If the condenser, fan, and ambient all check out, the system may be overcharged or holding non-condensables — that is refrigerant-circuit work.
When to call a professional
Anything past condenser cleaning and airflow checks — verifying charge, recovering refrigerant, purging non-condensables, or replacing a high-pressure switch — is sealed-system work for a certified refrigeration technician. Repeated HP trips with a clean condenser mean stop resetting and get the system diagnosed.
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Other Rivacold Error Codes
High-temperature alarm — cabinet/room temperature above the alarm threshold
Low-temperature alarm — cabinet/room temperature below the alarm threshold
Temperature-probe fault — which probe E1 names depends on the fitted controller (probe 2/defrost on Carel easy; probe 1/S1 on other families)
Temperature-probe fault — which probe E2 names depends on the fitted controller (probe 3/condenser-product on Carel easy; probe 2/S2 on other families)
Low suction/evaporation-pressure alarm — the unit stops when evaporation pressure falls below the threshold
Maximum temperature alarm on Dixell controllers — temperature above the high-alarm threshold (a temperature alarm, not a pressure trip)
Minimum temperature alarm on Dixell controllers — temperature below the low-alarm threshold
High temperature warning on Carel-controlled units — probe reading above the alarm threshold parameter
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