Stratos-HSSD troubleshooter


Select the type of fault.


Select the symptom.

Detector fault


Ensure that the ribbon cable that connects the detector head assembly to the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) is undamaged. Check that the connectors at either end of the ribbon cable are undamaged and correctly located within the relevant socket. The detector PCB is located directly behind the chamber cover plate, which is retained by a single screw to the right hand side.

Inspect the cable from connector CN4 on the detector PCB to the green connector mounted on the detector compartment wall and ensure that it is connected and undamaged.

Inspect the cable from connector CN5 on the terminal board and ensure that is connected and undamaged.

Check that the detector has a relay card installed for each detector on the system and that it is working correctly. This may be verified by running detector diagnostics. If the detector is a slave then check all slave cabling and ensure that the cable is a screened type of a suitable size and that the screen is connected as per the Installers Handbook.

If the event log shows an RTC fail the control board mounted on the inside of the door may have to be replaced.

Check the detector output using the detector continuos read function on a PC running the remote software. The detector output should be approximately 5% in clean air. If the head output has dropped to a very low level the detector head will need to be replaced (part number 30081).

If the detector fault is generated by a process error (this will be shown in the event log) then the code displayed following the process error message in the event log specifies the type of fault as shown below.
  1. Cannot set suitable alarm factor for FastLearn
  2. Histogram sum too high
  3. Bad alarm level
  4. Histogram sum too low
  5. Bad sensitivity
Process error 0 is caused by very high levels of background smoke during a FastLearn. This may be caused by an attempt to smoke test the detector whist still in FastLearn mode. See detector insensitive to smoke for further information.

Process errors 1, 2, 3 and 4 are generated by internal checks on the data structures used by ClassiFire. These structures are critical to the correct operation of the unit. If one of these process errors occurs (as may happen with high levels of EMC or watchdog resets) then performing a FastLearn will reinitialize these data structures and resume correct operation.

If the fault reoccurs the following installation checks should be carried out.
  1. Ensure that the cable is of the correct type and that it is correctly terminated.
  2. If the detector is located near any high level RF source or high voltage cabling then it may need to be moved.

Flow fault


Does the occurrence of a flow fault coincide with the operation of any other equipment such as automatic doors, air handling or any equipment which may result in an air pressure change?.

Flow low


Check that the aspirator fan is running. Ensure that the sampling pipe(s) are not blocked. If the unit is sampling from an area of different air pressure ensure that a return pipe is used for the exhaust air.

Flow high


Check that the sampling pipe is not broken. If the unit is sampling from an area of different air pressure ensure that a return pipe is used for the exhaust air.

Mains or battery fault


A flashing power fault light indicates a mains fault and a flashing power fault light indicates a battery fault.

If a battery fault is indicated then check that a the batteries are giving 12 Volts (the Stratos-HSSD uses a 12 Volt standby) and that it is connected correctly and of suitable capacity. Battery capacities are listed in the Installers Handbook. Ensure that the battery charger output is approximately 13.6 Volts at room temperature with no batteries attached. If the batteries are recharging the fault light can only be reset when the batteries attain a predetermined level of charge.

Press Reset to clear the power fault once the fault has been corrected.

Dust separator fault


If the detector is displaying 'Separator renew' then the dust separator cartridge is contaminated and needs to be renewed (part number 30072). It is not possible to clean a contaminated dust separator.

If the detector is displaying 'Separator change' then the dust separator cartridge has been removed or the separator monitor cable has been disconnected from CN2 on the detector board PCB.

If the dust separator is replaced with the power up then the unit will recognise this and put an event into the event log.

Unable to change function settings


To comply with fire regulations the alteration of function settings is protected by access code. The four digit code of '0102' is split into two parts on the programmer display and should be entered using the following procedure.

  1. Press the upper 'Function' button once. The display will show '01' '00'.
  2. Press the upper 'Entry' button once. The display will show '01' '01'.
  3. Press the upper 'Store' button. The display will show '88' '88' briefly.
  4. Press the upper 'Function' button once. The display will show '02' '00'.
  5. Press the upper 'Entry' button twice. The display will show '02' '02'.
  6. Press the upper 'Store' button. The display will show '88' '88' briefly.
The access code has now been entered. The function values may now be changed.

Unit runs slowly


Check that the detector addresses are set correctly (see the Installers Handbook page 24). Ensure that one relay card is installed per detector head. A relay card is supplied with each Stratos-HSSD Slave detector and should be installed in the next available slot as indicated on page 8 of the Installers Handbook. All power should be removed when adding or removing relay cards.

This is can also be caused by errors on the Slave loop causing time-outs in the transmissions between Master and Slave detectors. This can be verified by using the remote software to inspect the Slave loop error rate which is normally zero. Other symptoms may include intermittent detector faults.

Check that the Voltage drop between Master and Slave is less than 1 Volt and check that the cable type and screening follows the guidelines in the Installers Handbook.

On a Master/Slave system break the system down; first run the Master on its own then add one Slave at a time until the fault reappears. Remember to add or remove Slaves with the power off and alter the address settings as necessary.

Reset button not working


The Reset button is disabled by default. Enter the access code using the programmer located on the back of the door and set Function 37 'Reset enable' to 'Y'. Press 'Store' to save the setting.

Isolate button not working


The Isolate button is disabled by default. Enter the access code using the programmer located on the back of the door and set Function 35 'Isolate enable' to 'Y'. Press 'Store' to save the setting.

The detector is insensitive to smoke


Although the Stratos-HSSD is one of the most sensitive aspirating smoke detectors on the market today the detector will only detect smoke that reaches its sampling points. If the sampling points are badly positioned then performance may be seriously impaired. To check that the detector picks up smoke generate some smoke so that it goes directly into the sampling hole.

When the detector is powered up or when a function is changed that affects the detectors sensitivity it will perform a FastLearn. This takes 15 minutes and is indicated by a single scrolling segment of the bargraph display. During this time no alarms can be generated.

After a FastLearn is performed it usually takes 24 hours for the detector to reach full sensitivity. If smoke tests need to be carried out immediately after the FastLearn then the detector may be placed in 'Demo mode' as instructed on page 36 of the Installers Handbook. Once the smoke tests have been carried out the detector should perform another FastLearn.


©AirSense Technology Ltd 2008