Sub-Zero BW-30/UW-24 Wine Code EC-11: upper zone too cold

What EC-11 means

EC-11 (EC 11 on the display) is the upper cabinet cold temperature alarm on the Classic BW-30 and the UW-24 undercounter. It means the upper wine zone has dropped below its expected range. That is just as important as a warm alarm, because overly cold wine can push corks or, in extreme cases, freeze. Owners may see condensation on bottles after opening, a frosty upper zone, or a display reading below the set point.

Common causes of EC-11

A set point changed to a lower value
An upper zone damper or airflow problem that lets too much cold in
An upper cabinet sensor reading higher than the real temperature
A control output that keeps cooling on

✓ One safe check you can try

1. Check the upper zone set point. 2. Put a thermometer in the upper zone to confirm the real temperature. 3. Make sure nothing blocks air openings. 4. Reset at the breaker once. 5. If EC 11 repeats, move valuable bottles and call us.

! Why to stop there

Dampers and sensors sit behind interior panels
Overcooling can come from several parts that must be tested in turn
Bottles near freezing can push corks out

Opening a panel yourself does not automatically cancel a manufacturer warranty, but it can cause accidental damage, and some manufacturers set their own service conditions. Check your warranty terms, or ask us, before deciding.

→Same appliance

Other Wine Storage codes

90-H-84Sub-Zero Designer Wine (IW) Code 90-H-84: high voltage micro failed to initialize 95-1-00Sub-Zero Designer Wine (IW) Code 95-1-00: zone 1 door open too long EC 11Sub-Zero 400 Series Wine Code EC 11: upper cabinet too cold EC 13Sub-Zero 400 Series Wine Code EC 13: lower cabinet cold alarm EC 15Sub-Zero 400 Series Wine Code EC 15: unit not cooling Service flashingSub-Zero 400 Series Wine "Service" Flashing: compressor ran too long 45-2-00Sub-Zero Designer Wine (IW) Code 45-2-00: zone 2 lights not drawing power 45-2-01Sub-Zero Designer Wine (IW) Code 45-2-01: zone 2 light short circuit

EC-11EC-11 questions

Could EC 11 be shown as a warm alarm?

On the BW-30 and on 400 Series units, EC 11 is the upper cabinet cold alarm. If your unit is cold and shows EC 11, the cold alarm is the right reading.

Can cold damage my wine?

Brief cold is usually fine, but near-freezing temperatures can push corks and affect taste. Move your best bottles until we fix it. A thermometer tells you how cold it really is.

What does it cost?

We test first and give a written price before any work. On a UW-24 the damper and the upper cabinet sensor are checked first, because together they explain most overcooling in the upper zone.