Heat pumps · Error codes · Thermia
el-heater-errorThermia · Atec
el-heater-error on a Thermia Atec: The electrical heater overheating protection has deployed
Short answer
On a Thermia heat pump, el-heater-error means: The electrical heater overheating protection has deployed. The heat pump keeps running with some functions stopped. An engineer is needed to fix the cause.
Reviewed 23 September 2026 · 1 source
What it means
The manual says: The electrical heater overheating protection has deployed.
Part involved: immersion heater overheat protection.
Likely causes:
- Overheat protection tripped; phase drop (no 230 V between L2 and N unless MAX STEP=P); faulty overheat protection; flow sensor fault; no/insufficient circulation. (causes from the equivalent Danfoss DHP-AQ service instructions VMGFJ202).
Is it safe?
| Does the heat pump stop? | Partly |
|---|---|
| Severity | Fault — needs a manual reset once the cause is fixed |
| Engineer needed? | Yes |
The heat pump keeps running with some functions stopped.
Manual reset: Set operating mode OFF then back to the desired mode.
What you can check
- Note the exact alarm text. Check the heating-system pressure gauge is in the range given in the user guide (Thermia/Danfoss: 1-1.5 bar when cold) - do not top up yourself unless you have been shown how; check radiator/underfloor valves and room thermostats are open. Acknowledge once (operating mode OFF then back); if it remains, contact a service technician (user manual 086L0130 p.25).
What the engineer will check
- Reset overheat protection; check cables; measure 230 V across protector; check flow sensor; check pump, valves, strainer, air.
Who to ask for: heat pump engineer.
Certification: Qualified electrician / heat pump engineer (electrical fault-finding).
What you might notice
Sources
- Service Instructions Atec (VIIFM102) - silo.tips copy ↗ · VIIFM102 · page p.10 · Reviewed 23 September 2026
A code explains what the controller detected, not a confirmed root cause.
Reviewed: 23 September 2026