Orbit Central Vacuum Systems 1.877.593.2532
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Troubleshooting

Please read the instructions below carefully step by step to troubleshoot. Please read and adhere to all safety instruction provide in the User’s Manual section. If you have any safety concerns do not hesitate to contact the factory for clarification. Make sure that all safety precautions and building codes are strictly adhered to.

During first Installation

1) The Power Unit will not turn ON Make sure that the green LED light is ON
If the green LED is OFF check the following:

  1. Make sure that the Power Unit is plugged into a ~120 v / 15 amp circuit.
  2. Depress the circuit breaker rest button.
  3. Make sure that the circuit-breaker on the electrical panel is ON position – You may wish to test the electrical outlet to ensure that there is electrical power.
  4. If the electric outlet has power, the Power Unit is plugged in, and the circuit breaker is depressed and the green LED is OFF then call the factory for further help.   Please note that all Power Units are fully tested before packaging on Power Unit malfunction is highly unlikely.
If the green LED is Turned ON:
  1. Use the manual switch to Turn ON/Off the Power Unit.
  2. Make sure that the low-voltage wires are connected the Power Unit through two silver quick connects supplied with the Power Unit.
  3. Short the two quick connects with a metallic object such as screwdriver or a coin. If the Power Unit Turns ON with the manual switch and the manual shorting then it is established that the Power Unit is fully functional and the problem is within the low-voltage wiring.
  4. Short the two quick connects with a metallic object such as screwdriver or a coin. If the Power Unit Turns ON with the manual switch and the manual shorting then it is established that the Power Unit is fully functional and the problem is within the low-voltage wiring.
Low-Voltage wiring:
  1. Use your hose to test each Wall Inlet Valve – preferably starting with the one closest to the power Unit. If the Power Unit does not Turn On when the hose is plugged in or switched ON (in the case of the hose with remote turn on/off switch) remove the Wall Inlet Valve and short the two low-voltage wires).
  2. If the Power Unit Turns ON with shorting the low-voltage wires, but would not Turn ON when the hose is plugged in then the integrity of Wall Inlet Valve is in question.
  3. It is not recommended to remove the screws for low-voltage wiring at the back of the Wall Inlet Valve. The screws hold a spring and the brass connector in place.
  4. Depress each brass connectors inside the Wall Inlet Valve to make sure that they are spring loaded otherwise there will not be a proper electrical (low-voltage) contact.
If the green LED is Turned ON:
  1. Use the manual switch to Turn ON/Off the Power Unit
  2. Short the two quick connects with a metallic object such as screwdriver or a coin. If the Power Unit Turns ON with the manual switch and the manual shorting then it is established that the Power Unit is fully functional and the problem is within the low-voltage wiring.
2) The Power Unit will not turn OFFMake sure that all hoses are removed from the Wall Inlet ValvesRemove at least one of the low-voltage quick connect form the Power Unit. If the machine stops you most likely have a short in the low-voltage wiring system.
  1. Remove each wall inlet to identify if the short is at the Wall Inlet Valve
  2. If the short is not visible at the back of the Inlet Valve then the chances are that there is a short within the low-voltage wiring.
  3. You would need to trace the entire wiring to identify the location of the short.
If the Power Unit does not stop after you remove one of the low-voltage quick connects then that would suggest that you might have a faulty Control Panel with the Power Unit.3) The Unit is Turned ON, but there is little suction power
  1. The first thing is to identify that the installation is complete and all Valve Valves are installed properly.
  2. Confirm that the dirt pail is properly in place.
  3. Power Unit models SU400, SU500. SU600, AU400, AU500 and AU600 have dual intake features. If you have one of these models make sure that the additional intake is properly capped off.
  4. While the Power Unit is running you would need to trace the entire system by listening to any air-leak sound
  5. If the Power Unit is being installed with existing rough-in systems you will be able to check the integrity of your existing rough-in systems by opening the utility valve on the Power Unit and verify the suction power as the Power Unit is operating.
  6. If you have purchased / own one of ~230 v models make sure that the Unit is not connected to ~110 v power source.
If you have had your Orbit Central Vacuum System for several months or years.1) The Power Unit will not turn ON
  • Make sure that the green LED light is ON
  • If the green LED is OFF check the following
  • Make sure that the Power Unit is plugged into a ~120 / 15 amp circuit.
  • Depress the circuit breaker rest button
  • Make sure that the circuit-breaker on the electrical panel is ON position – You may wish to test the electrical outlet to ensure that there is electrical power.
  • If the electric outlet has power, the Power Unit is plugged in, and the circuit breaker is depressed and the green LED is OFF then call the factory for further help.
  • If the green LED is Turned ON
    1. Use the manual switch to Turn ON/Off the Power Unit
    2. Make sure that the low-voltage wires are not disconnected from Power Unit
    3. Short the two quick connects with a metallic object such as screwdriver or a coin. If the Power Unit Turns ON with the manual switch and the manual shorting then it is established that the Power Unit is fully functional and the problem is within the low-voltage wiring.
  • Low-Voltage wiring
    1. Use your hose to test each Wall Inlet Valve – preferably starting with the one closest to the power Unit. If the Power Unit does not Turn On when the hose is plugged in or switched ON (in the case of the hose with remote turn on/off switch) remove the Wall Inlet Valve and short the two low-voltage wires).
    2. If the Power Unit Turns ON with shorting the low-voltage wires, but would not Turn ON when the hose is plugged in then the integrity of Wall Inlet Valve is in question.
    3. It is recommended NOT to remove the screws for low-voltage wiring at the back of the Wall Inlet Valve. The screws hold a spring and the brass connector in place. The springs and the brass connectors are easy to loose when removed.
    4. Depress each brass connectors inside the Wall Inlet Valve to make sure that they are spring loaded otherwise there will not be a proper electrical (low-voltage) contact.
  • If the green LED is Turned ON
    1. Use the manual switch to Turn ON/Off the Power Unit
    2. Short the two quick connects with a metallic object such as screwdriver or a coin. If the Power Unit Turns ON with the manual switch and the manual shorting then it is established that the Power Unit is fully functional and the problem is within the low-voltage wiring.
2) The Power Unit will not turn OFF
  • Make sure that all hoses are removed from the Wall Inlet Valves
  • Remove at least one of the low-voltage quick connect form the Power Unit. If the machine stops you most likely have a short in the low-voltage wiring system.
    1. Remove each wall inlet to identify if the short is at the Wall Inlet Valve
    2. If the short is not visible at the back of the Inlet Valve then the chances are that there is a short within the low-voltage wiring.
    3. You would need to trace the entire wiring to identify the location of the short.
  • If the Power Unit does not stop after you remove one of the low-voltage quick connects then that would suggest that you might have a faulty Control Panel with the Power Unit.
3) The Unit is turnes ON, but there is little suction powerThere are only a few reasons for decreased or poor suction:1)                 The system is clogged which can be either at the hose or the piping system2)                 There is an “open” or a leak in the system3)                 The vacuum unit or the motor is clogged
  • The first confirm if the poor suction is at the Power Unit or at the end of the hose.
  • Confirm that the dirt pail is not full.
  • Perform filter maintenance as described in “Operating and Maintenance Instructions” in the manual.
  • If you have good suction at the Power Unit utility valve but not at the end of the hose this suggests that your Power Unit is functioning properly and you might have a partial blockage either inside the hose or one of the Wall Inlet Valves.
    1. Confirm if the blockage is inside the hose or in the system. Take the hose to the Power Unit where you know that there is good suction power and test the hose.
    2. If you have more than one hose you will be able to determine if all have the same suction or one is substantially less.  It is unlikely that all hoses would be clogged at the same time.
    3. If your hose is fine then test each wall inlet valve to identify the location(s) of blockage.
    4. If there is partial blockage within the hose close the air-flow completely by placing you hand over the hose end opening. Hold for about 30 seconds and suddenly remove your hand allowing the inrush of air through the hose. Repeat this process a few times to dislodge the objects from inside the hose. You can also try the alternate technique by placing into the utility valve through the opposite end of the hose. Make sure that the utility valve is sealed by your hand to allow maximum air-flow through the hose handle.
  • This section deals with possible “Open” or leaky installation. 
    1. While the Power Unit is running you would need to trace the entire system by listening to any air-leak sound to identify if there is an opening in the system.  This test is performed with all the valves closed and the Power Unit is turned on from the switch on the unit.  Do not use a hose.
    2. If the Power Unit is being installed with existing rough-in systems you will be able to check the integrity of your existing rough-in systems by opening the utility valve on the Power Unit and verify the suction power as the Power Unit is operating.
    3. To identify positively if the lack of suction is due to the installation systems / hose or the Power Unit is to remove the Power Unit off the wall and test it as a stand alone unit.  Naturally, if there is good suction power at the unit then the problem exists with your installation system or a clog.
  • If it is determined that the poor suction is at the Power Unit.  You might have a poor suction at the power unit if the filter was removed and not replaced properly and as a result dirt and dust have traveled beyond the filter location.