
15
Controls
D. CONTROLS
The Fastrax®FEB electric blower control panel located inside the
unit incorporates modern technology including a smart relay to
ensure efficient and economical operation and is designed for
ease of operation and servicing. Each control panel is NEMA 4
rated for protection against moisture.
The controls have been preconfigured for optimal snow melting
operation with minimum user input. If desired, advanced
diagnostics, troubleshooting and timing/mode adjustment features
are readily available.
D.1 Control Panel Features
Control System Features
• Automatic snow clearing operation driven by ground and
aerial snow sensors
• Local manual start/stop
• Remote start/stop
• User adjustable preset run time (1 minute to 100 hours)
• Counts and displays total number of operating hours in
service
• Selectable modes
• Hot/cold air and Remote timeout on/off
User Friendly Interface Features
• User friendly door mounted operators and LED indicators
• Local run status and fault indication
• Remote run and fault indication
• Advanced diagnostics and troubleshooting displays
including fault history
Equipment Protection Features
• Overheat protection system including:
• Automatic fan shutdown delay
• High temperature limiting devices including
separate primary automatically reset
and backup manually reset bimetal disc
thermostats
• Motor protection including class 10 overload relay
• Coordinated overcurrent protection of all electrical components
by resettable circuit breakers and motor controllers
• User adjustable remote start delay prevents simultaneous
inrush of multiple units
• Staggered starting of motor and elements to minimize
peak current draw
• Self monitoring and automatic adjustment to minimize risk
of damage while maintaining a reduced but effective level
of snow clearing and sensing operation in the event of
some installation issues or equipment failures
D.2 Control System Operating Modes
1. Timed Local Run Mode: The Fastrax®FEB enters this mode
if the “MANUAL START” button is pushed for 3 seconds
or one of the snow sensors detects snow. The Fastrax®FEB
will run in this mode until the red “MANUAL START” button
is released and the snow sensors no longer detect snow, at
which point it will begin a timed run where it will continue to
run in this mode until the preset run time (2 hours by default)
has elapsed. The run timer will be reset if the “MANUAL
START” button is pushed or one of the snow sensors
detects snow again.
2. Timed Remote Run Mode: The Fastrax®FEB enters this mode
after the remote start/stop contacts are held closed while
“REMOTE TIMEOUT MODE” is on (default). The Fastrax®
FEB will begin a timed run and will continue to run until the
preset run time has elapsed or the remote start/stop contacts
are opened.
NOTE: Opening of the remote start/stop contacts will cancel
the timed run if the snow sensors are not currently
detecting snow.
3. Continuous Remote Run Mode: The Fastrax®FEB is in this
mode while the remote start/stop contacts are closed and
“REMOTE TIMEOUT MODE” is off. The Fastrax®FEB will
run in “CONTINUOUS REMOTE RUN MODE” until the
remote start/stop contacts are opened.
4. Cooldown Mode: If “COLD AIR MODE” is off, the Fastrax®
FEB enters “COOLDOWN MODE” after exiting the run
modes. The Fastrax®FEB will run in “COOLDOWN MODE”
where the duct heater is off and the blower continues to run
until the preset cooldown time (3 minutes) has elapsed or
the Fastrax®FEB is forced to re-enter a run mode.
5. Cold Air Mode: This mode increases energy efficiency
in exchange for reduced snow clearing capability. While
“COLD AIR MODE” is inactive (default), the Fastrax®FEB
discharges heated air while it is running. While “COLD AIR
MODE” is active, the Fastrax®FEB discharges cold air while
it is running.
The Fastrax®FEB may be forced to enter this mode
regardless of the setting of the “COLD AIR MODE” selector
switch if the primary high temperature limit trips repetitively
due to a serious issue with equipment or installation. In this
case, the Fastrax®FEB will remain in cold air mode until the
issue has been resolved and the unit has been manually
reset by pressing the “MANUAL START” button.
6. Remote Timeout Mode: This mode prevents the possibility
of the Fastrax®FEB running permanently if the remote start/
stop contacts are inadvertently left closed. While “REMOTE
TIMEOUT MODE” mode is active (default), closure of the
remote start/stop contacts will activate timed remote run
mode. While “REMOTE TIMEOUT MODE” is inactive,
closure of the remote start/stop contacts will activate
“CONTINUOUS REMOTE RUN MODE”.