Danfoss ERC 21X User guide

User manual | ERC 21X temperature controllers series

ERC 21X, smart multipurpose
refrigeration controller

4

push buttons, a
big display and
an intuitive menu
structure ensure
superior ease of use.

www.danfoss.com/erc

Table of contents

1| Introduction 4

1.1| Application 4

1.2| General Description 4

1.3| ERC 21X Series 5

1.3.1| ERC 211 5

1.3.2| ERC 213 5

1.3.3| ERC 214 5

2| Key features 6

2.1| Voltage protection 6

2.2| Compressor protection 6

2.3| Compressor protection against high condensing temperature 6

2.4| Pre-defined applications 7

2.5| Fan pulsating during compressor OFF cycle 9

2.6| Defrost on Demand 10

3| Technical Specification 11

4| Installations 12

4.1| Dimensions (mm) 12

4.2| Mounting 12

4.3| Installation steps 12

4.4| Electrical connection diagram 13

4.4.1| ERC 211 - connection diagram 13

4.4.2| ERC 213 - connection diagram 13

4.4.3| ERC 214 - connection diagram 13

4.5| Power supply 14

4.6| Sensors 14

4.7| Electric noise 14

5| Menu Navigation and overview 14

5.1| Key functions and display Icons 14

5.2| Quick Configuration at power up 14

5.3| Menu Structure 15

5.4| Quick Configuration via “cFg” menu 16

5.5| Adjust set point temperature 16

5.6| Initiate a manual defrost 16

5.7| Initiate a pull down 16

5.8| View active alarm 16

5.9| Unlock keyboard 16

6| Menu functions 17

7| Parameter table 23

7.1| Parameter table - ERC 211 23

7.2| Parameter table - ERC 213 26

7.3| Parameter table - ERC 214 30

7.4| Alarm Code 34

7.5| Troubleshooting 34

8| Ordering 34

8.1| Sensors 35

2 FR · ERC 21X user manual · DKRCC.ES.RL0.H8.02 · ©Danfoss

3FR · ERC 21X user manual · DKRCC.ES.RL0.H8.02 · ©Danfoss

1| Introduction

1.1| Application

ERC 21X is a smart multipurpose refrigeration controller
designed to fulfill today’s requirement of commercial
refrigeration applications. This controller is suitable for high,
medium and low temperature applications with natural,
electrical and hot gas defrost compatibilities.
Typical applications include Glass door merchandisers,
commercial fridges and freezers, cold rooms and various
other commercial refrigeration applications.

1.2| General Description

ERC21X controller comes with four push buttons, a big
display, easy and intuitive menu structure and pre-defined
applications ensure ease of use. Controller is loaded
with energy efficiency features like smart evaporator fan
management, day/night mode and defrosts on demand
features.
High Effect 16 A relay enable direct connection of heavy
loads without use of intermediate relay: up to 2 hp
compressors depending on its power factor and motor
efficiency (greater than 0.65 for 230 V and greater than

0.85 for 115 V).
Safe operation of the unit is ensured through voltage
protection and high condensation temperature protection
features.

4 FR · ERC 21X user manual · DKRCC.ES.RL0.H8.02 · ©Danfoss

1.3| ERC 21X Series

Three version of ERC 21X is available in both 230 V / 50/60 Hz and 115 V / 60 Hz.

– ERC 211: single relay output for refrigeration and heating applications.
– ERC 213: three relays outputs for ventilated refrigeration applications.
– ERC 214: four relays outputs for ventilated refrigeration applications.

1.3.1| ERC 211

ERC 211 has one relay output and two inputs
(1 analogue, 1 analogue/digital).
This controller can be used for either cooling or heating
applications.
Outputs:

– Relay 1: compressor/solenoid valve control or simple

heater in case of heating application Inputs.

Inputs:

– Input1: cabinet/control sensor (Sair).
– Input 2: condenser sensor or digital inputs which can

be configured for various functions as mentioned under
menu code o02.

Sair

DO1

Sc

1.3.2| ERC 213

ERC 213 has three relays outputs and four inputs
(2 analogues, 1 analogue/digital, 1 digital) for cooling
applications.
Outputs:

– Relay 1: compressor/solenoid valve control.
– Relay 2: can be configured either defrost or external alarm.
– Relay 3: fan control.

Inputs:

– Input 1: cabinet/control sensor (Sair).
– Input 2: defrost sensor (S5).
– Input 3 : condenser sensor (Sc) or digital input which can

be configured to various functions as mentioned under
menu code “o02”.

– Input 4: digital input which can be configured to various

functions as mentioned under menu code “o37”

1.3.3| ERC 214

ERC 214 has four relays outputs and four inputs (2 analogue,
1 analogue/digital, 1 digital) for cooling applications.
Outputs:

– Relay 1: compressor/solenoid valve control.
– Relay 2: defrost control.
– Relay 3: fan control.
– Relay 4 : this can be configured for either light or external

alarm.

Inputs:

– Input 1: cabinet/control sensor (Sair).
– Input 2: defrost sensor (S5).
– Input 3 : condenser sensor (Sc) or digital input which can

be configured to various functions as metioned under
menu code “o02”.

– Input4: digital input which can be configured for various

functions as mentioned under menu code “o37”.

S5

S5

Sair

Sair

DO2

DO3

DO2

DO3

DI1

DI2

DO1

Sc

DI1

DI2

DO4

DO1

Sc

5FR · ERC 21X user manual · DKRCC.ES.RL0.H8.02 · ©Danfoss

2| Key features

emperatur

2.1| Voltage protection

Protection against high and low voltage by limiting the
compressor operation within specified voltage limits.
Whenever the supply voltage goes beyond the defined
voltage protection limits controller will shut the compressor
OFF and flashes alarm on the display.
It will restore the operation when the voltage falls under the
operating range respecting minimum stop time.

2.2| Compressor protection

High voltage limit

Low voltage cut-in
limit (compressor start)

Low voltage cut-out
limit (alarm and
compressor stop)

Parameters for Minimum ON and OFF time, protect the
compressor by short cycling/sudden switching ON and OFF
by defining minimum ON and OFF time.

2.3| Compressor protection against
high condensing temperature

If the condenser is blocking up with dirt and thereby reaches
a too high condensing temperature, controller will give
the user early warning through condenser alarm and if
temperature rises further it will switch the compressor OFF.
If the temperature measured by the condenser sensor (Sc)
is reaching the set ”pre alarm limit” a alarm is raised, but no
further action is taken.
This is used to indicate to the user that something is wrong
with the condenser. Often the reason is that that the air flow
to the condenser is restricted (dirt) or because the condenser
fan is broken.
The alarm will reset if the condenser temperature drops back
by 5 °C. If the measured condenser temperature continues
to increase and reaches the set “Block limit” the compressor is
stopped and it is restricted from starting again until the alarm
is reset manually.

min run time

ON

OFF

Power to compressor

e

CUT-IN

CUT-OFF

T

Sc temperature °C

Block limit

Pre alarm limit

Pre alarm OK

Compressor

Pre alarm

Block alarm

min stop time

time

time

Manual reset

Sc temperature °C

T1 T2 T3 T4

6 FR · ERC 21X user manual · DKRCC.ES.RL0.H8.02 · ©Danfoss

2.4| Pre-defined applications

The purpose of the Predefined applications is to give the user an easy and fast way to configure the controller to a specific
application based on storage temperature (LT, MT, HT), defrost type (none, natural, electrical) and
defrost method (terminated on time or temperature).
When user select specific application based on their requirements, the controller will load a specific set of parameter values
and will hide parameters that are not relevant for the selected application.
Adjustment of the set of parameters value will be still possible at any time.
In addition to pre-defined applications, all controller versions have two standard applications, one with full list of parameters
and another with simplified list of parameters, that allows the user to make their own customized parameter settings
(AP0 and AP5 in case of ERC211 and AP0 and AP6 in case of ERC213 / ERC214).

Pre-defined application table of ERC 211 controller

App Mode Description Temperature Defrost type Defrost end
App 0 Cooling/

Heating

App 1 Cooling Medium temperature without defrost (4 – 20 °C) None None
App 2 Cooling Medium temperature with timed natural defrost (2 – 6 °C) Natural Time
App 3 Cooling Medium temperature with natural defrost stop on

App 4 Heating Heating Thermostat (20 – 60 °C) None None
App 5 Cooling/

Heating

No predefined application

air temperature

No predefined application with simplified list of
parameter

(2 – 6 °C) Natural Air

temperature

Selection 1 covers applications where a standard cooling thermostat is needed and no defrosts are performed.
Selection 2 covers normal temperature applications with natural defrost with stop on time.
Selection 3 covers normal temperature applications with natural defrost with stop on air temperature.
Selection 4 covers applications where a simple heating thermostat is needed (no defrost).
Selection 5 covers applications where a reduced parameter list is recommended.

ERC 211 - APP 4

DO1

230 V AC

ERC 211 - APP 1/2/3

SairDI1

230 V AC

DO1

SairDI1

7FR · ERC 21X user manual · DKRCC.ES.RL0.H8.02 · ©Danfoss

Pre-defined application table of ERC 213 controller

App Mode Description Temperature Defrost type Defrost end
App 0 Cooling No predefined application

App 1 Cooling

App 2 Cooling

App 3 Cooling

App 4 Cooling

App 5 Cooling

App 6 Cooling

Medium temperature ventilated refrigeration units
with timed natural defrost

Medium temperature ventilated refrigeration units
with timed electrical defrost

Low temperature ventilated refrigeration units with
timed electrical defrost

Medium temperature ventilated refrigeration units
with electrical defrost (by temperature)

Low temperature ventilated refrigeration units with
electrical defrost (by temperature)

No predefined application with simplified list of
parameters

(2 – 6 °C) Natural Time

(0 – 4 °C) Electrical Time

(-26 – -20 °C) Electrical Time

(0 – 4 °C) Electrical Temperature

(-26 – -20 °C) Electrical Temperature

Selection 1 covers normal temperature applications with natural defrost with stop on time.
Selection 2 and 3 covers respectively medium and low temperature applications with electrical defrost with stop on time.
Selection 4 and 5 covers respectively medium and low temperature applications with electrical defrost with stop on

defrost sensor “S5”.
Selection 6 covers applications where a reduced parameter list is recommended.

230 V AC

ERC 213 - APP 1

DI2

DO1

DO2 DO3

ERC 213 - APP 2-3

SairDI1

230 V AC

DO1

DI2

DO3DO2

SairDI1

230 V AC

ERC 213 - APP 4-5

DI2 S5

DO1

DO3DO2

SairDI1

8 FR · ERC 21X user manual · DKRCC.ES.RL0.H8.02 · ©Danfoss

Predefined application table for ERC 214

App Mode Description Temperature Defrost type Defrost end
App 0 Cooling No predefined application

App 1 Cooling

App 2 Cooling

App 3 Cooling

App 4 Cooling

App 5 Cooling

App 6 Cooling

Medium temperature ventilated refrigeration units
with timed natural defrost

Medium temperature ventilated refrigeration units
with timed electrical defrost

Low temperature ventilated refrigeration units with
timed electrical defrost

Medium temperature ventilated refrigeration units
with electrical defrost (by temperature)

Low temperature ventilated refrigeration units with
electrical defrost (by temperature)

No predefined application with simplified list of
parameters

(2 – 6 °C) Natural Time

(0 – 4 °C) Electrical Time

(-26 – -20 °C) Electrical Time

(0 – 4 °C) Electrical Temperature

(-26 – -20 °C) Electrical Temperature

Selection 1 covers normal temperature applications with natural defrost with stop on time.
Selection 2 and 3 covers respectively medium and low temperature applications with electrical defrost with stop on time.
Selection 4 and 5 covers respectively medium and low temperature applications with electrical defrost with stop on

defrost sensor “S5”.
Selection 6 covers applications where a reduced parameter list is recommended.

230 V AC

ERC 214 - APP 1

DI2

DO1

DO3 DO4

SairDI1

230 V AC

ERC 214 - APP 2-3

DI2

DO1

DO3DO2 DO4

ERC 214 - APP 4-5

SairDI1

230 V AC

DO1

DI2 S5

DO3DO2 DO4

SairDI1

2.5| Fan pulsating during compressor OFF cycle

This is an energy saving feature. During compressor OFF cycle controller will run the fan with defined duty cycle to maintain
uniform temperature and delay the need of compressor switching ON

9FR · ERC 21X user manual · DKRCC.ES.RL0.H8.02 · ©Danfoss

2.6| Defrost on Demand

This feature records and averages the evaporator temperature recorded during the first three cut out of compressor
immediately after defrost. The controller will constantly follow the evaporator temperature and compare with the above
recorded average temperature. In between two defrosts, If the evaporator temperature goes below the previously recorded
average temperature by “defrost on demand” value “d30”, defrost will be triggered.

– This function can only be used in 1:1 systems.
– This function is disabled when the parameter “defrost on demand” is set to 20.
– Defrost on demand is triggered only if the time since the last defrost session has ended is greater than ¼ of the defrost

interval or 2 hours whichever is lesser.

– Defrost doesn’t start by this method during the following scenarios.

– Pull down mode.
– Night mode.
– Main switch in DI or main switch in Menu is in OFF position.
– Manual control mode.
– Evaporator sensor senses a temperature which is greater than 0 °C.

10 FR · ERC 21X user manual · DKRCC.ES.RL0.H8.02 · ©Danfoss

3| Technical Specification

FEATURES DESCRIPTION

Purpose of control

Construction of control Incorporated control

Power supply 115 V AC / 230 V AC 50/60 Hz, galvanic isolated low voltage regulated power supply
Rated power Less than 0.7 W

Inputs

Allowed sensor types

Sensors included in Kit Solution NTC 10000 Ohm at 25 °C, cable length: 1.5 m

Accuracy

Type of action 1B (relay)

Output

Display LED display, 3 digits, decimal point and multi-function icons, °C + °F scale
Operating conditions -10 – 55 °C (14 – 131 °F), 90% Rh
Storage conditions -40 – 70 °C (-40 – 158 °F), 90% Rh

Protection

Environmental Pollution degree II, non-condensing

Overvoltage category

Resistance to heat and fire

EMC category Category I

Approvals

Operating temperature sensing control suitable for incorporation into commercial air-conditioning
and refrigeration applications

Sensor inputs, Digital inputs, Programming key
Connected to SELV limited energy <15 W

NTC 5000 Ohm at 25 °C, (Beta value=3980 at 25/100 °C - e.g. EKS 211)
NTC 10000 Ohm at 25 °C, (Beta value=3435 at 25/85 °C - e.g. EKS 221)
PTC 990 Ohm at 25 °C, (e.g. EKS 111)
Pt1000, (e.g. AKS 11, AKS 12, AKS 21)

Measuring range:

-40 – 105 °C (-40 – 221 °F)
Controller accuracy:
±1 K below -35 °C, ±0.5 K between -35 – 25 °C,
±1 K above 25 °C

DO1 Compressor relay:
16 A, 16 (16) A, EN 60730-1
10 FLA / 60 LRA at 230 V, UL60730-1
16 FLA / 72 LRA at 115 V, UL60730-1
DO2 Defrost relay:
8 A, 2 FLA / 12 LRA, UL60730-1
8 A, 2 (2 A), EN60730-1
DO3 Fan relay:
3 A, 2 FLA / 12 LRA, UL60730-1
3 A, 2 (2 A), EN60730-1
DO4 Alarm/Light relay:
2 A

Front : IP65 (Gasket integrated)
Rear: IP00

II - 230 V supply version - (ENEC, UL recognized)
III - 115 V supply version - (UL recognized)
Category D (UL94-V0)
Temperature for ball pressure test statement “According to Annex G”
(EN 60730-1)

UL recognition (US & Canada) (UL 60730-1)
ENEC (EN 60730-1)
CQC
CE (LVD & EMC Directive)
EAC (GHOST)
NSF
ROHS2.0
HACCP temperature monitoring in compliance with EN134785 Class I,
when used with AKS 12 sensor

11FR · ERC 21X user manual · DKRCC.ES.RL0.H8.02 · ©Danfoss