288 on a NIBE heat pump: Refrigerant sensor disconnected: Refrigerant sensor BQ10 out of range, lost communication or faulty
Short answer
On a NIBE heat pump, 288 means: Refrigerant sensor disconnected: Refrigerant sensor BQ10 out of range, lost communication or faulty. The manual does not say whether the heat pump stops. An engineer is needed to fix the cause.
Reviewed 23 September 2026 · 1 source
What it means
The manuals for this range word it in different ways:
- Refrigerant sensor disconnected: Refrigerant sensor BQ10 out of range, lost communication or faulty.
- Max flow temperature from heat pump exceeded: Temperature out of heat pump above maximum permitted on supply sensor BT2 or BT63; causes may include incorrectly connected addition, wrongly adjusted flow, undersized heating system, heating curve.
Part involved: refrigerant (leak) sensor BQ10; heating medium flow, charge pump, particle filter.
When it shows: Refrigerant sensor BQ10 out of range, lost communication or faulty Temperature out of heat pump above maximum permitted on supply sensor BT2 or BT63; causes may include incorrectly connected addition, wrongly adjusted flow, undersized heating system, heating curve.
Likely causes:
- S2060: Broken or disconnected cable.
Is it safe?
| Does the heat pump stop? | Not stated |
|---|---|
| Severity | Fault — needs a manual reset once the cause is fixed |
| Engineer needed? | Yes |
The manual does not say whether the heat pump stops.
Resetting itself: no/unknown - not stated.
Manual reset: Reset from the controller alarm menu ('reset alarm' / 'Reset alarm and try again'); alarm recurs if the cause remains.
What you can check
- Read the alarm text and the 'info/action' help on the controller display (VVM/SMO or S-series smartguide). NIBE's manuals let the homeowner select 'reset alarm' ('Reset alarm and try again' on S-series); if the lamp returns to normal the alarm has cleared. If it comes back, do not keep resetting: select 'aid mode' ('Auxiliary operation' on S-series) if offered, so any electric additional heat keeps heat/hot water going, and contact your installer.
- Read the alarm text and the 'info/action' help on the controller display (VVM/SMO or S-series smartguide). NIBE's manuals let the homeowner select 'reset alarm' ('Reset alarm and try again' on S-series); if the lamp returns to normal the alarm has cleared. If it comes back, do not keep resetting: select 'aid mode' ('Auxiliary operation' on S-series) if offered, so any electric additional heat keeps heat/hot water going, and contact your installer. Read the heating system pressure gauge and check that radiator/underfloor thermostats are not all closed; check heating and hot water temperature settings have not been changed.
What the engineer will check
- Check refrigerant sensor BQ10 and its cable; replace sensor at end of life (15 years) per NIBE instructions. Treat as R290 safety function. NIBE lists: Broken or disconnected cable.
- Check heating medium flow (pump speed/settings, particle filter, air in system), heating curve and hot water settings, correct sensor placement and flow/return connections.
Who to ask for: NIBE-trained heat pump engineer competent with R290 (A3) refrigerant systems; NIBE-trained heat pump installer (NIBE PRO / VIP).
Certification: Competence for flammable (A3, R290) refrigerant systems; F-gas certification if the refrigerant circuit is opened; None specific beyond competent heat pump installer; electrical work to BS 7671.
What you might notice
Sources
- Installer manual Air/water heat pump NIBE S2060 UK 1x230V IHB EN 2623-3 (831281) ↗ · IHB EN 2623-3 · page 32 · Reviewed 23 September 2026
A code explains what the controller detected, not a confirmed root cause.
Reviewed: 23 September 2026