If Your Sensor Displays a “Short Detected” Error in Iotplus Online

The error Short Detected indicates that the sensor’s hardware has detected a short in the circuitry. This article will advise on possible causes and solutions to this error.

Possible causes

  • Corrupted configurations
  • Physical damage to the sensor
  • Liquid Ingress

If a sensor sees an electrical signal of an unexpected level, the sensor will record an unexpected value and the error “Short Detected” may appear in the software. The most common cause to this is related to physical issues. But resetting the sensor to default settings might help in resolving it. See the steps below for diagnosing and attempting to resolve this issue.

  • Power the sensor off, remove the battery if the sensor is a coincell or standard AA form factor (if Industrial, simply power off with the switch).
  • Examine the sensor for signs of damage.
  • Examine the sensor for signs of liquid ingress or corrosion.
  • If the sensor is an Industrial sensor, examine the enclosure for cracks (even hairline cracks), or signs that might indicate the enclosure/seal was compromised. If the sensor has not already been opened, avoid opening it.
  • In the Iotplus software, reset the sensor to default settings (found under the Sensor Overview > Settings > (gray) Default button.
  • Place the sensor 10-15 feet from the gateway (not closer).
  • If possible, swap batteries with another sensor that is checking in as expected. If there is not another sensor with which to swap batteries, replace with new batteries. (If Industrial sensor, power the sensor on with the switch.)
  • Press and immediately release the Utility/Reset button on the gateway (or wait until the gateway checks in subsequently).
  • Check to see if the sensor persists in reporting the “Short Detected” error.

If the issue persists after following the steps above, there is likely some sort of physical damage. The sensor will likely need to be sent to Iotplus for repair.

If the sensor was exposed to liquid

If you find signs that the sensor was exposed to liquid ingress, it may need to be replaced. It may be possible for the sensor to recover after drying out for some time. It is not uncommon for this to occur if the exposure to liquid was not severe. If you do not see signs of liquid ingress and the steps above do not resolve your issue, the sensor may need to be repaired.
Note: The standard warranty does not cover exposure to liquid ingress or damage. See section 13 of the document at the following link: https://iotplus.com.au/policy/terms/.

Conclusion

If the above steps do not resolve the issue, you may need to contact Iotplus Support to have your sensor repaired.