Hayward EcoStar Check System: PFC-Hi Error

What PFC-Hi Error Actually Means

PFC stands for Power Factor Correction, which is part of the EcoStar drive's internal power supply circuitry. The "Hi" error triggers when the drive detects that the incoming AC supply has exceeded 280VAC. At that level, the drive shuts itself down to prevent damage to internal components.

This is a protective measurement, not a sign that the pump or drive has failed. The error does not mean the pump is broken. It means the drive saw a voltage transient or sustained high voltage and responded correctly.

The most common cause is a momentary voltage spike from the utility, often associated with power restoration after an outage, a load-switching event on the grid, or a Hayward automation panel that keeps the pump energized 24/7.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

Owner-Level Checks

1. Power-cycle the breaker

• Go to the breaker panel and turn off the breaker supplying the EcoStar.
• Wait at least 2 minutes. This is not optional — the drive needs time to fully discharge its internal capacitors.
• Verify the display goes completely blank before restoring power.
• Turn the breaker back on and observe the display. In most cases the pump will restart normally and the error will be gone.

2. Watch for recurrence

• If the error cleared and does not come back, no further action is needed. Make a note in the equipment log.
• If the error returns within the same day or week, move on to the tech-level steps below.

Tech-Level Checks

3. Measure supply voltage at the mains connector

• Set your multimeter to AC voltage and measure at the EcoStar mains input terminals while the pump is idle (powered but not running).
• Normal range is 200–250VAC. If you are consistently reading above 245VAC, your utility may be running high and occasional spikes above 280VAC are plausible.
• If you see voltage consistently at or above 260VAC, contact the utility or the homeowner's electrician — the problem is upstream of the pump.

4. Check the Diagnostics menu for event history

• Press Menu repeatedly until "Diagnostic Menu — Press > to enter" appears, then press the right arrow.
• Navigate to "Event Log" and press (+) to scroll through the last 20 events.
• The log shows error type and elapsed time since the event. If PFC-Hi appears multiple times, note the intervals — daily recurrence at the same time often points to an automation schedule issue.

5. If the pump is controlled by Hayward automation: fix the wiring

• The EcoStar requires a minimum 1-minute power-down at least once every 24 hours. If the automation panel keeps the pump live 24/7 without cutting AC power, the drive does not get the reset cycle it needs, and voltage build-up in internal components can eventually trigger PFC-Hi.
• The correct solution is to wire the EcoStar's AC mains supply to the load side of the "Filter" relay on the automation panel. This way the automation timer controls when power is actually supplied to the pump, guaranteeing at least one power-down per day.
• Keep all low-voltage RS485 comm wiring intact and connected — do not disrupt comm wiring when making this change.
• Important side effect: when wired this way and the pump powers down, the automation panel will briefly show a "Bridge Comm Error" because it cannot communicate with the pump while it is de-energized. This is expected and harmless. The error will clear automatically when power is restored to the pump. Inform the customer so they are not alarmed.

Why This Error Comes Back On Automation-Controlled Systems

The EcoStar's drive electronics are designed with the assumption that the pump will power down at least once a day. When wired directly to always-on power — even while the automation system is managing speed via RS485 — certain internal capacitors and the PFC circuit can accumulate charge over days of continuous operation. The drive interprets this accumulated condition as a voltage overage and trips PFC-Hi.

Wiring the pump to the load side of the Filter relay solves this by guaranteeing a daily power interruption that resets the drive properly. This is the official Hayward-recommended fix for recurring PFC-Hi errors on automation-integrated installations.

← Back to EcoStar Troubleshooting Guide