Dixell controllers show alarm codes in place of the temperature. P1, P2 and P3 are probe failures, HA and LA are high and low temperature alarms, dA is the door alarm, EA or EAL an external alarm, and EE a data or memory failure on XLR controllers. A probe alarm clears itself shortly after the probe starts working again, but the cause needs finding first.
Dixell, made in Italy and now part of Copeland, formerly Emerson Climate Technologies, uses similar codes across its range, but the wording and some codes differ between models. The tables below come from Dixell's own installing and operating instructions for the XR-CX family and the XLR130 and XLR170.
At a glance
| Code | What Dixell says it means | What to do first |
|---|---|---|
| P1 | Room (thermostat) probe failure | Call an engineer. The compressor runs on a timed cycle until the probe is fixed |
| P2 | Evaporator probe failure | Call an engineer. Defrost ends on time rather than temperature |
| P3, P4 | Third or auxiliary probe, fourth probe failure | Call an engineer |
| HA, LA | Maximum or minimum temperature alarm | Check the door, the load and the set point, then the temperature trend |
| dA | Door open or door switch alarm | Close the door and check the switch and seal |
| EA, EAL, CA, BAL | External or serious external alarm | Check whatever is wired to the digital input, such as a pressure switch |
| EE | Data or memory failure (XLR) | Press any key to reset. Call an engineer if it returns |
Source: Dixell installing and operating instructions for the XR60CX, XR20CX, XR06CX, XLR130 and XLR170.
How Dixell controllers show alarms
According to Dixell's XLR instructions, "The alarm message is displayed until the alarm condition is recovery. All the alarm messages are showed alternating with the room temperature except for the "P1" which is flashing." The XR-CX controllers also have an alarm LED and a buzzer. Write down the code and when it appeared before pressing anything.
Dixell XR-CX codes: XR60CX, XR20CX and XR06CX
The XR-CX family is fitted to a wide range of commercial fridges, freezers and cold rooms. The table combines the alarm lists in Dixell's XR60CX, XR20CX and XR06CX instructions.
| Code | What Dixell says it means | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| P1 | Room probe failure | The compressor runs according to the Con and COF parameters (Cy and Cn on the XR06CX), on a fixed on and off cycle |
| P2 | Evaporator probe failure (XR60CX and XR06CX) | Defrost end is timed |
| P3 | Third probe failure | Outputs unchanged |
| P4 | Fourth probe failure | Outputs unchanged |
| HA | Maximum temperature alarm | Outputs unchanged. Stops when the temperature returns to normal |
| LA | Minimum temperature alarm | Outputs unchanged. Stops when the temperature returns to normal |
| HA2 | Condenser high temperature | Depends on the Ac2 parameter |
| LA2 | Condenser low temperature | Depends on the bLL parameter |
| dA | Door open | On the XR60CX and XR06CX, the compressor and fans restart |
| EA | External alarm | Output unchanged |
| CA | Serious external alarm (with i1F set to bAL) | All outputs off. Recovers as soon as the digital input is disabled |
| CA | Pressure switch alarm (with i1F set to PAL) | All outputs off. Recovers only by switching the instrument off and on |
These XR-CX messages are not faults: PoF and Pon mean the keyboard is locked or unlocked, noP means no parameter or probe is present, and noA means no alarm has been recorded. On the XR20CX alarm table, P2 is not listed, because that controller uses an off-cycle defrost.
Dixell XLR130 and XLR170 codes
The XLR controllers have their own, longer alarm list in Dixell's XLR130 to XLR170 instructions.
| Code | What Dixell says it means | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| P1 | Thermostat probe failure | Alarm output on. Compressor output according to the COn and COF parameters |
| P2 | Evaporator probe failure | Alarm output on, other outputs unchanged |
| P3 | Auxiliary probe failure | Alarm output on, other outputs unchanged |
| HA | Max. temperature alarm | Alarm output on, other outputs unchanged |
| LA | Min. temperature alarm | Alarm output on, other outputs unchanged |
| EE | Data or memory failure | Alarm output on. Press any key to reset: "rSt" is displayed for about 3 seconds |
| dA | Door switch alarm | Alarm output on, other outputs unchanged |
| EAL | External alarm | Alarm output on, other outputs unchanged |
| BAL | Serious external alarm | Alarm output on, other outputs off |
| PAL | Pressure switch alarm | Alarm output on, other outputs off |
| PAn | "Panic" alarm | Alarm output on, other outputs unchanged |
| rtc | Real time clock alarm (models with a clock) | Alarm output on, other outputs unchanged |
Silencing and clearing alarms
- Probe alarms clear themselves. Dixell's XLR instructions say P1, P2 and P3 "automatically stop 10s after the probe restarts normal operation", and add: "Check connections before replacing the probe."
- Muting. On the XLR, pressing any key silences the buzzer. Whether the alarm relay is silenced too depends on the tbA parameter.
- EE on the XLR. Press any key to reset it and restart normal operation.
- Pressure switch alarm on the XR-CX. CA with i1F set to PAL recovers only by switching the instrument off and on.
- Max and min records. Holding SET for more than 3 seconds while the maximum or minimum temperature is displayed resets the record.
Safety
Dixell's instructions make three points worth repeating. The controller "cannot be used as a safety device". Disconnect all electrical connections before any kind of maintenance. And loads connected to the normally closed contacts of the relays "are always supplied and under voltage, even if the instrument is in stand by mode". A controller in stand-by is not an isolated controller.
When to call an engineer
- Any probe failure (P1 to P4), especially P1, because the cabinet is no longer controlling to temperature.
- HA or LA that returns with the door shut and the cabinet not overloaded.
- A pressure switch alarm (PAL, or CA with i1F set to PAL), which points to a refrigeration fault.
- HA2 for condenser high temperature that persists after the condenser has been cleaned.
- EE on an XLR that comes back after a reset.
Our commercial refrigeration repair team works on cabinets and cold rooms with Dixell controllers, and our guide to why a commercial fridge stops cooling covers the faults that sit behind HA alarms.
Questions people ask about Dixell controller codes
What does P1 mean on a Dixell controller?
P1 is a probe failure: the room probe on XR-CX controllers, or the thermostat probe on the XLR. The compressor then runs on a fixed on and off cycle set by parameters, so the cabinet keeps some cooling. Dixell advises checking the connections before replacing the probe.
What does HA mean on a Dixell controller?
HA is the maximum temperature alarm. The outputs are unchanged and the alarm stops when the temperature returns to normal. Check the door is closing, the cabinet is not overloaded and the condenser is clean, then call an engineer if it persists.
What does dA mean on a Dixell controller?
dA is the door alarm: door open on the XR-CX controllers and door switch alarm on the XLR. Close the door and check the seal and the door switch. On the XR06CX, dA is also the name of a parameter, so do not confuse the message with the setting.
What does P3 mean on an Emerson or Dixell controller?
P3 is the third or auxiliary probe failure. On XR-CX controllers the outputs are unchanged, and on the XLR the alarm output switches on. It needs an engineer to check the probe and its wiring.
What does EE mean on a Dixell controller?
On XLR130 and XLR170 controllers, EE is a data or memory failure. Pressing any key resets it, with "rSt" shown for about 3 seconds. If it comes back, the controller needs checking. EE does not appear in the XR-CX alarm tables.
How do I reset a Dixell alarm?
Most alarms clear themselves when the cause goes away, and probe alarms stop 10 seconds after the probe works again. Pressing any key silences the buzzer. A pressure switch alarm on XR-CX controllers needs the instrument switching off and on.
Keeping the cabinet on temperature
A Dixell code is the controller telling you exactly where to look. Note the code, check the door and the load, and call an engineer for probe, pressure or repeated temperature alarms. Planned refrigeration maintenance catches most of them before they reach the display.
Last updated: 4 November 2026
Written by
Ali Elm
Ali is the Head of Operations at Be Cool Refrigeration with over a decade of hands-on experience in HVAC and commercial refrigeration. He oversees every installation, repair, and maintenance project, making sure the work meets the highest standards. Ali holds full F-Gas certification and has worked across residential, commercial, and industrial refrigeration systems throughout London and the South East. When he is not on site, he writes these guides to help business owners and homeowners understand their cooling systems better.