Can the Pentair PASRW130S-U-T3-60 (55kW) be programmed using the PC4001?

PHNIX PC4001 is a main controller / control board designed for equipment including air-to-water heat pumps

Conclusion: Yes, but there are two approaches — directly replace the original control board, or use the PC4001 (PLC) to fully rewrite the control program.

The Pentair PASRW130S-U-T3-60 is a 55kW swimming pool / industrial heat pump / water chiller unit (with heat recovery, T3 operating condition, 60Hz model). It comes factory-fitted with a dedicated PC4001 heat pump controller (not the Phoenix Contact RFC 4001 PLC). Your question is: Can the Phoenix Contact RFC 4001 (PLC) be programmed to control this 55kW unit?

1. First, distinguish between the two “PC4001” units (critical)

Original PC4001 (dedicated heat pump board)

The factory-installed controller for your unit: dedicated temperature control board for swimming pools and heat pumps

Built-in functions: cooling / heating / defrosting / 4-way valve / fan / water pump / protection logic

Interfaces: temperature probes (NTC/PT1000), high/low pressure switches, water flow switch, compressor, fan, 4-way valve, water pump, alarm output

Cannot be programmed with PLC software; parameters can only be set via the control panel or RS485 communication

Phoenix Contact RFC 4001 (PLC)

General-purpose PLC, requires matching I/O modules

Can fully replace the original PC4001 and control this 55kW unit with custom programming

2. Key control requirements for the Pentair PASRW130S-U-T3-60 (55kW)

Compressor: 55kW, 380V/60Hz, star-delta starting (KM1/KM2/KM3)

Operating modes: cooling / heating / automatic / defrosting

Controlled devices:

Compressor (star-delta)

Condenser fans (1–2 units)

Evaporator / water pump

4-way valve (cooling/heating switching)

Water flow switch, high/low pressure protection, oil pressure differential, discharge temperature, anti-freeze protection

Sensors:

Inlet water temperature, outlet water temperature, ambient temperature, discharge temperature, coil temperature (NTC/PT1000)

High pressure switch, low pressure switch (normally closed), water flow switch

3. Hardware configuration for Phoenix Contact RFC 4001 (ready for direct use)

Controller: RFC 4001 (PC4001)

Digital Inputs (DI, 10 points): IB IL 24 DI 16

High pressure switch, low pressure switch, oil pressure differential, water flow, phase sequence, emergency stop, local/remote switch, start command, stop command, defrost request

Analog Inputs (AI, 5–6 points): IB IL AI 4/I + IB IL PT4

Inlet water temperature, outlet water temperature, ambient temperature, discharge temperature, evaporation/condensation temperature, high pressure sensor (optional)

Relay Digital Outputs (DO, 8–10 points): IB IL 24 DO 16-R

Compressor KM1, KM2 (star), KM3 (delta), condenser fan 1, condenser fan 2, water pump, 4-way valve, alarm output, defrost valve (optional)

4. Control logic (directly programmable in PLC)
5. Start conditions

No alarms for high pressure / low pressure / oil pressure differential / water flow / phase sequence / emergency stop

Valid start command received

2. Mode control

Cooling: 4-way valve de-energized

Heating: 4-way valve energized

Automatic: auto-switching based on water temperature

3. Sequence (standard heat pump)

Start → run water pump / fans first → time delay → star-delta start of compressor

Stop → stop compressor first → time delay to close valves / stop fans / stop water pump

4. Protection (immediate shutdown)

High pressure, low pressure, oil pressure differential, loss of water flow, phase sequence error, high discharge temperature, anti-freeze protection, sensor fault

5. Defrost logic (heating mode)

Enter defrost based on timer + coil temperature conditions

Reverse 4-way valve, run compressor, stop fans, open defrost valve

Exit defrost when temperature setpoint or timer is reached

5. Feasibility and risks

✅ Fully feasible

The RFC 4001 can implement all functions: 55kW star-delta control, I/O quantity, protection logic, mode switching

Ladder Diagram (LD) / Function Block Diagram (FBD) programming in PC Worx, consistent with standard water chiller/heat pump program structure

⚠️ Important notes

60Hz: Adjust program time delays and protection parameters for 60Hz operating conditions

T3 condition: Adapt high pressure protection setpoints and fan control logic for high-temperature environments

Original protocol: Cannot directly read data from the original PC4001; full disconnection and re-wiring of I/O is required

Certifications: CE/UL certifications for the unit will need re-evaluation after replacement (generally acceptable for industrial in-house use)

6. Recommended solutions
7. Keep the original PC4001

Stable, no programming required, adjustable parameters via control panel

Disadvantage: no customizable logic, only monitoring via RS485

2. Rewrite control with Phoenix Contact RFC 4001 (your intended solution)

Advantages: fully customizable logic, integration with upper computers / IoT, multi-unit linkage, advanced protection

Implementation: program according to the above I/O list, wiring and logic; fully capable of controlling this 55kW PASRW130S

7. Short answer

Yes.

The Phoenix Contact RFC 4001 (PLC) can be fully programmed to control the Pentair PASRW130S-U-T3-60 (55kW) by programming the unit’s I/O points, star-delta sequence, operating modes and protection logic.

1. Core conclusion (clear and definitive)
2. The PC4001 installed on your unit

is a Pentair dedicated heat pump controller,

→ cannot be programmed with PLC software; only parameter adjustment via panel and RS485 communication is available.

2. If your question is: Can the Phoenix Contact RFC 4001 (PLC) control this 55kW unit?

→ Absolutely yes, with full functionality.

You may remove the original control board and use the Phoenix Contact PC4001 PLC with custom programming to control this Pentair 55kW water chiller / heat pump unit.

Why is it possible? (Key matching points)

The Phoenix Contact RFC 4001 fully meets the control requirements of this PASRW130S 55kW unit:

Controls 55kW compressor star-delta starting ✅

Controls condenser fans, water pump, 4-way valve ✅

Reads high/low pressure switches, water flow, phase sequence, emergency stop ✅

Reads NTC/PT1000 temperature probes (inlet/outlet/discharge/ambient) ✅

Implements cooling/heating/automatic/defrost logic ✅

Implements complete protection logic (high pressure, low pressure, oil pressure differential, anti-freeze, overload) ✅

Supports Modbus remote monitoring ✅

In short:

Sufficient hardware, sufficient I/O, programmable logic, compatible power rating.

Can the original PC4001 be programmed directly?

No.

The original PC4001 is a dedicated fixed-program controller, not a programmable PLC.

It cannot be programmed with software such as PC Worx or Codesys.

One-sentence summary

To use the Phoenix Contact RFC 4001 PLC with custom programming to control this Pentair 55kW unit:

Yes, fully feasible — a common retrofit solution in engineering.

To program the on-board PC4001 panel directly:

No, it is not a programmable logic controller.