General Assist Technical Reference
VRF Indoor Unit Human Sensor - Auto Off Timer Control Issue
Service Bulletin VRF-0153 - issued 25 December 2017
A software issue was identified in certain VRF indoor units using the optional Human Sensor Kit. The Auto Off timer could continue counting while the indoor unit was stopped, which could cause the unit to switch off approximately one minute after a scheduled or automatic start.
Quick Answer
| Product | Selected VRF indoor units with Human Sensor Kit |
| Issue | Auto Off timer may count while the indoor unit is OFF |
| Typical symptom | Unit starts by Weekly Timer/Schedule and then Auto Off occurs about 1 minute later |
| Countermeasure | Software changed so Auto Off time counts only while the indoor unit is operating, including Thermo OFF |
| Production change | Corrected production from December 2017 |
Problem Description
Under normal operation, the Human Sensor Auto Off timer should count only while the indoor unit is operating.
The affected software could continue counting the Auto Off timer even while the indoor unit was stopped.
Result: If the stored Auto Off time had already expired while the unit was stopped, the indoor unit could automatically switch OFF approximately 1 minute after restarting.
The original bulletin notes that this was identified through internal operation and was not originally reported as a market claim.
When the Issue Can Occur
The problem may occur where both of the following conditions are present:
- The indoor unit is set to start automatically using the Weekly Timer or Schedule function.
- There is no person detected within the Human Sensor detection area.
Example Sequence
| Stage | Condition |
|---|---|
| Friday evening | Unit is switched OFF and the room becomes unoccupied. |
| While unit is OFF | Affected software continues counting the Human Sensor Auto Off timer. |
| Monday scheduled start | Weekly Timer/Schedule starts the indoor unit. |
| Approximately 1 minute later | Auto Off occurs because the absence timer had already counted up while the unit was stopped. |
The bulletin shows the Auto Off timer default as 24 hours, with a manual setting range of 1 to 24 hours.
Countermeasure
The software was changed so that the Human Sensor Auto Off timer counts only while the indoor unit is in operation.
Corrected operation: Auto Off timer counting starts only while the indoor unit is Operation ON. This includes periods when the unit is operating but is in Thermo OFF.
The bulletin states that corrected production began in December 2017.
Human Sensor Detection Range
Cassette
| Ceiling height reference | 3.2 m (10 ft) |
| Detection position | 0.8 m (32 in) from floor surface |
| Approximate detection reach | Up to 8.8 m (28 ft) as illustrated in the bulletin |
Wall Mounted
| Detection distance | Approximately 7 m |
| Vertical detection angle | 90° |
| Horizontal detection angle | 100° total (50° left / 50° right) |
Sensor installation note: Do not place large objects near the Human Sensor and do not position heating equipment outside or adjacent to the intended detection area in a way that can affect sensing.
Affected Models and Serial Number Ranges
Cassette - Europe / Asia / Australia
| Model | Affected Serial Range |
|---|---|
| AUXM018GLAH | ~R000275 |
| AUXM024GLAH | ~R000355 |
| AUXM030GLAH | ~R000197 |
| AUXK018GLAH | ~R000181 |
| AUXK024GLAH | ~R000193 |
| AUXK030GLAH | ~R000210 |
| AUXK034GLAH | ~R000133 |
| AUXK036GLAH | ~R000298 |
| AUXK045GLAH | ~R000247 |
| AUXK054GLAH | ~R000200 |
Cassette - China
| Model | Affected Serial Range |
|---|---|
| AUQM056GLAH | ~R000092 |
| AUQM063GLAH | ~R000083 |
| AUQM071GLAH | ~R000144 |
| AUQM080GLAH | ~R000090 |
| AUQM090GLAH | ~R000117 |
| AUQK100GLAH | ~R000100 |
| AUQK112GLAH | ~R000113 |
| AUQK125GLAH | ~R000150 |
| AUQK140GLAH | ~R000170 |
Middle East cassette: Not applicable according to the bulletin.
Wall Mounted
| Destination | Model | Affected Serial Range |
|---|---|---|
| Europe / Asia / Australia | ASYA030GTAH | ~T000150 |
| Europe / Asia / Australia | ASYA034GTAH | ~T000166 |
| Europe / Asia / Australia / Middle East | ASHA030GTAH | ~T000023 |
| Europe / Asia / Australia / Middle East | ASHA034GTAH | ~T000015 |
Compact Wall Mounted
| Destination | Model | Affected Serial Range |
|---|---|---|
| Europe / Asia / Australia | ASYA012GCAH | ~E000434 |
| Europe / Asia / Australia | ASYA014GCAH | ~E000280 |
| Europe / Asia / Australia | ASYE012GCAH | ~E000041 |
| Europe / Asia / Australia | ASYE014GCAH | ~E000041 |
| Europe / Asia / Australia / Middle East | ASHA012GCAH | ~E000034 |
| Europe / Asia / Australia / Middle East | ASHA014GCAH | ~E000026 |
| Europe / Asia / Australia / Middle East | ASHE012GCAH | ~E000002 |
| Europe / Asia / Australia / Middle East | ASHE014GCAH | ~E000002 |
Service Action if the Problem Occurs
- Replace the affected main PCB with the updated PCB where available.
- If the service replacement PCB is an earlier version, update the software using the PR-5 ROM writer.
- Confirm the main PCB software version after replacement or update.
Software / ROM Writer Files
| Item | File / Setting |
|---|---|
| Main PCB software | E044V05P00L01.hex |
| ROM writer setting file | R5F52108BDFB.ESF |
| Parameter file | R5F52108B_L.PR5 |
How to Identify the Updated PCB
Main PCB software version: A version showing V05 or later identifies a PCB with the countermeasure applied.
Check the Main PCB label for the software version.
Do not confuse labels: The microcomputer label on the communication PCB is not the main PCB software version.
Troubleshooting Summary
| Check | What to Confirm |
|---|---|
| Human Sensor installed? | Confirm the optional Human Sensor Kit is fitted and Auto Off is enabled. |
| Scheduled start? | Check whether the unit starts through Weekly Timer or Schedule. |
| Occupancy | Confirm whether the room was unoccupied during the OFF period. |
| Symptom timing | Does the unit Auto Off approximately 1 minute after scheduled start? |
| Serial range | Compare model and serial number with the affected ranges above. |
| PCB software | Check whether Main PCB software is V05 or later. |
Important: Only units within the bulletin's affected model/serial ranges and using the Human Sensor Auto Off function are relevant to this control issue. Confirm the Main PCB software version before replacing components.