Pentair IntelliTouch Sensor Errors
Pentair IntelliTouch systems rely on up to three temperature sensors to manage freeze protection, heater control, and solar priority. When a sensor fails or its wiring breaks, IntelliTouch cannot read the affected temperature and the associated feature stops working. This guide covers how to identify sensor problems, test sensors with a multimeter, and replace a failed sensor.
What Each Sensor Does
Air Temperature Sensor
The air sensor monitors ambient temperature and triggers freeze protection when the reading falls below 36°F. If this sensor fails, IntelliTouch has no way to evaluate outdoor temperature and freeze protection will not activate — leaving plumbing unprotected during cold weather. The air sensor should be located near or under the Load Center or Power Center enclosure, not inside it, for accurate outdoor readings.
Water Temperature Sensor
The water sensor is installed in the plumbing, typically in a sensor well fitting. It provides the pool (and spa, for i10+3D) water temperature reading shown on the IntelliTouch display and is used by the heater control logic. The i10+3D dual-equipment system uses two separate water sensors — one for the spa and one for the pool. A failed water sensor can cause the heater to refuse to turn on.
Solar Temperature Sensor
The solar sensor mounts on the solar collector panel, typically at the highest point. IntelliTouch uses this reading to determine whether the collectors are hot enough to provide useful heat to the pool. A failed solar sensor disables solar heating automation; the solar valve circuit will not activate automatically.
Sensor Connections on the Personality Board
All temperature sensors connect to the labeled WATER, SOLAR, and AIR screw terminals on the IntelliTouch Personality board inside the Load Center or Power Center. Each sensor is a 10 kΩ thermistor — polarity does not matter (the two sensor wires are interchangeable).
Verify that all sensor plugs are seated correctly on the Personality board as part of any troubleshooting activity. A sensor connector that is partially unseated will produce the same symptom as a failed sensor.
Testing Sensors with a Multimeter
All Pentair IntelliTouch temperature sensors are 10 kΩ NTC thermistors. You can test any sensor with a standard multimeter set to resistance (Ω) mode.
Procedure
- Turn off the load center main breaker.
- Disconnect the sensor wiring from the WATER, SOLAR, or AIR terminals on the Personality board.
- Place the multimeter probes on the two sensor wires at the disconnected end. Polarity does not matter.
- Read the resistance value. At room temperature (approximately 77°F / 25°C), a good 10 kΩ sensor should read approximately 10 kΩ. Resistance increases as temperature decreases, and decreases as temperature increases.
- Compare your reading to the sensor's expected resistance at the actual temperature. Use a handheld thermometer placed next to the sensor for reference.
An open circuit reading (OL or infinite resistance) indicates the sensor element or its leads have broken. A reading near 0 Ω indicates the sensor element is shorted. Both conditions are a definitive sensor failure. A reading significantly different from the expected 10 kΩ at 77°F (25°C) at moderate temperatures indicates the sensor is out of specification.
Locating the Sensors
- Air sensor: Located near or under the Load Center or Power Center enclosure, not inside it. The sensor is placed in the shade for accurate freeze protection readings. Follow the 2-conductor cable from the AIR terminal on the Personality board to find it. Keep sensor cables at least 6 inches away from fluorescent lighting fixtures to prevent signal interference.
- Water sensor: Installed in a sensor well fitting in the plumbing. Look for a small cylinder with a 2-conductor cable leading back to the load center.
- Solar sensor: Mounted on the solar collector array on the roof. The cable runs from the roof down to the load center and connects to the SOLAR screw terminals on the Personality board per the system wiring diagram.
Sensor Replacement Steps
- Turn off the load center main breaker.
- For the water sensor: close the system isolation valves and depressurize the plumbing before removing the sensor from the sensor well fitting to avoid a water leak.
- Disconnect the sensor cable from the WATER, SOLAR, or AIR terminal on the Personality board.
- Remove the failed sensor from its mounting point.
- Route the new sensor cable through the same conduit or path as the original.
- Mount the new sensor in the same location as the original.
- Connect the new sensor cable to the correct terminal on the Personality board (WATER, SOLAR, or AIR as labeled). Polarity does not matter.
- Restore power. The IntelliTouch system can be calibrated via Menu > Setup > Advanced > Calibrate after sensor replacement.
- Confirm the displayed temperature is reasonable compared to ambient or water temperature.
Calibrating Sensors After Replacement
After replacing a sensor, verify accuracy by comparing the displayed reading to a calibrated thermometer. If adjustment is needed:
- For water sensor: switch on the filter pump, place an accurate thermometer in the spa or pool water, and navigate to Menu > Setup > Advanced > Calibrate. Press the buttons next to Water Temp to adjust up or down.
- For air sensor: place the thermometer next to the air sensor in the shade. Use the Air Temp calibration in the same screen.
- For solar sensor: ensure the sensor is in direct sunlight before calibrating.
- Press Exit when finished.