Two Wire Overcurrent Message
An overcurrent message occurs when the current drawn by the two-wire exceeds the 1.5 amp threshold set by the BaseStation. An overcurrent can be caused by overloading the circuit, a circuit short, ground fault, or arc fault (Wire jacket is damaged and positive and negative wires are touching).
Important!
To save time and frustration, always rule out the controller first.
Testing the Controller
1. Start by disconnecting power from the controller.
2. While powered down, disconnect the two-wire going to the field. If it is a conventional system in conjunction with two-wire, disconnect the common wire from its terminal on the terminal board.
3. With the two-wire (and common wire if applicable) disconnected, power up the controller.
4. Verify there is voltage on the two-wire terminals. Approximately 34VAC.
Legacy 3200 Only: If there is no voltage measured on the two-wire terminals, check if the two-wire status is OFF. If OFF, navigate to Advanced via the dial, then to the two-wire settings menu. Two-wire always on should be set to YES.
5. Go to Self Test and select check two-wire addresses, test all two-wire devices or test single two-wire device. This will force the over-current message if the condition persists.
- If the controller shows no over-current or high current errors, the problem is on the two-wire.
- If the controller shows any over-current or high current, the problem is in the controller.
- After confirming if a controller hardware issue is present, or you suspect a controller hardware issue is present, consider contacting Hydropoint Support. Hydropoint Support can be reached at support@baselinesystems.com, support@hydropoint.com or 866-294-5847.
Conventional with Two-wire combo systems
When using the following methods, connect the conventional common wire by itself to see if that triggers the over-current message. If it does, we know the issue in in the common wire somewhere. At that point, they would use ohms readings on a multimeter to find the issue location in that wire path.
Troubleshooting Without a Milliamp Clamp Meter
Tools Required
#2 Phillips head screwdriver
Note: If the overcurrent remains connected to the controller terminals, over time it can potentially damage components in the controller.
1. Start by isolating the over current to a single two-wire path, if multiple exist at the controller.
2. After isolating the over current to a two-wire path, begin halving that two-wire path and connecting the half to the controller..
2. Check the controller for an over current message. (split half method: ruling out half of the wire path at a time.)
- In the below example, if the over current message goes away after half of the wire is disconnected, we know the problem is in the disconnected half of the two-wire.
3. Reconnect the other half of the two-wire path, then find the midpoint of the section that contains the problem and disconnect it.
4. Check the controller for the over-current message again.
5. Continue this process until you find the trouble device or wire section.
Troubleshooting With a Milliamp Clamp Meter
Tools Required
Approved mA clamp meter
#2 Phillips head screwdriver
AC solenoid
1. Start by isolating the over current to a single two-wire path, if multiple exist at the controller.
2. After isolating the over current to a two-wire path, wire an AC solenoid between the red wire and the red terminal at the controller.
(Shown below with an unnecessary splice between red terminal and solenoid. Just connect one solenoid wire to the red terminal on board.)
3. Disconnect any loops in the two-wire path, if there are any.
4. Set the clamp meter to measure AC Amps.
5. Clamp around the RED wire.
- Record the mA measurement, this is the value we're looking for .
6. Follow the mA measurement from the controller outwards, taking readings in every valve box, or use the same binary search methodology outlined above to test for your recorded mA value. If the mA value can be measured with the clamp meter at your mid point, continue to another mid point between you and the end of the wire path. If the mA value you have been following has significantly approached zero, continue to another mid point between you and the controller.
7. Clamp every red wire at every wire connection you visit until you reach a two-wire device that measures a large majority of the mA measurement you took at the controller. If mA measurement taken at the controller can be seen in one valve box but all measurements at the next value box have significantly approached zero, the issue is the wire path between the two valve boxes.
- Following the mA value will lead you to:
- A faulty device
- A broken wire
- A compromised connection (Either in a valve box or buried)
If you check all of the preceding steps and fail to resolve the issue, consider contacting Hydropoint Support. Hydropoint Support can be reached at support@baselinesystems.com, support@hydropoint.com or 866-294-5847.