Bertazzoni Wine Refrigeration / Wine Cellars E1 Error: Upper zone probe open circuit
What Does E1 Mean? The E1 fault code flashes on the display of Bertazzoni wine columns — specifically the REF24WCBPNV and REF18WCBPRV models in the Professional Series — when the control board detects an open-circuit condition on the upper zone in-cabinet NTC temperature probe. “Open circuit” means the probe circuit has infinite resistance, equivalent to […]
Quick Assessment
Answer to continue safely
Is it safe to keep using?
No. Stop storing wine in the upper zone immediately. Without a functioning temperature probe the control board cannot regulate the upper zone — it will run too cold, too warm, or oscillate unpredictably. The lower zone may be used if its temperature display and operation are normal.
Can I reset the code?
No. A power-cycle will not clear an E1 fault caused by a broken or disconnected probe. The fault clears only after the probe or harness is repaired or replaced by a service technician.
When to stop immediately?
Stop if you notice: Upper zone is clearly over-cooling — frost visible on upper-zone bottles, Any unusual smell or sound from the refrigerant circuit area while the fault is active.
Symptoms You May Notice
Upper zone temperature reading freezes at dashes or a static value while the display alarm light flashes
With the probe circuit open, the control board receives no valid temperature reading for the upper zone. The display may show dashes, a fixed default value, or an obviously implausible reading — none of which reflect the real temperature inside the upper zone.
Upper zone temperature becomes erratic — over-cooled or not cooled at all
Without feedback from the probe, the control board may default to running the upper-zone cooling continuously (driving the zone very cold) or may shut off cooling entirely. Either extreme can damage wine stored in the upper zone.
E1 flashes on the display every 10 seconds with a three-tone buzzer alarm
The control board outputs a distinct three-tone "tic-tic-tic" alarm pattern every 10 seconds alongside the flashing E1 code, distinguishing this from a simple temperature alarm. The pattern continues until the fault is resolved.
Possible Causes
Upper zone NTC thermistor wire broken or connector unplugged
The probe wire may have fractured — often near a connector or where the harness bends around a cabinet edge — or the connector at the control board end has come loose, creating an open circuit that presents as infinite resistance on the control board input.
Requires ProfessionalProbe element physically damaged — cracked housing or corroded terminals
The probe body itself may have cracked due to thermal cycling or physical contact, or the terminals may have corroded sufficiently to break continuity. Either condition creates the infinite-resistance open-circuit reading the board detects as an E1 fault.
Requires ProfessionalSafe Checks You Can Do
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1
Record the E1 fault code and note the upper zone temperature behaviour
Note whether the upper zone is over-cooling (very cold bottles), not cooling at all (warm bottles), or displaying dashes on the panel. This information is useful for the service technician to narrow down whether the fault is a disconnected harness or a failed probe element.
Do not attempt to locate or touch the probe or its wiring inside the cabinet — refrigerant components and electrical conductors are nearby.
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2
Move wine from the upper zone to secondary temperature-stable storage
Because the upper zone may be running uncontrolled (too cold or too warm), move all wine from the upper shelves to a temperature-stable secondary location. Keep wine in the lower zone only if that zone is displaying and maintaining its correct set point.
Wrap bottles in a towel or place them in a cooler to prevent rapid temperature shock during the transfer.
When to Call a Professional
Contact a qualified technician if:
- E1 is a hard electrical fault — probe resistance testing and harness inspection require a Bertazzoni technician with a multimeter and service documentation
- Probe replacement on the REF24WCBPNV and REF18WCBPRV wine columns requires partial interior disassembly
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