---
title: "Traulsen PFA: the Smart Control recorded a power failure"
description: "What PFA means on Traulsen PFA: the Smart Control recorded a power failures, what to check before booking, and when it is not a failure at all."
url: "https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/traulsen-pfa/"
---

# Traulsen PFA: the Smart Control recorded a power failure

Newer R-Series cabinets use Traulsen's Smart Control.

## What PFA actually means.

Newer R-Series cabinets use Traulsen's Smart Control. Instead of flashing text on the home screen, it keeps alarms in a menu: PFA shows the power failure alarm, and next to it the control stores how long power was off and the cabinet temperature when it came back. The cabinet temperature alarm has its own status, tCA.

Traulsen commercial appliance display · also shown as Al, tCA

What to do when PFA shows on the commercial appliance

### Kind of code Controls and power

The controller itself is reporting trouble, or the supply behind it is: a display with dead segments, a keypad that stopped responding after steam or degreaser got behind it, relays that stick, stored recipes or cycles that vanished overnight, a blown control fuse, or one leg of a three-phase feed missing so half the heat or the pump is gone. A full power cycle at the breaker, done as the manual describes, clears a passing glitch; a code that returns, a scorched smell or any sign of moisture behind the panel means the breaker stays off, and that is a visit.

### Usually leads to Commercial controls and board repair

Controllers, touch panels, relays, contactors and interlocks tested, and replaced only when the evidence says so.

### Shows up as Commercial Appliance Error Code on a Combi, Fryer, Dish Machine or Laundry Display

A commercial appliance error code appears as letters or numbers on a combi, fryer, reach-in controller, dish machine or laundry machine display, or as a flashing light or an alarm tone.

### Make Traulsen

A Traulsen cabinet that starts to drift gets its visit as soon as the food inside has a safe place to go.

### Source Traulsen R-Series uprights owner's manual TR35743 (04-26), 'Models After July 2025' on traulsen.com owner's manuals

Described in Traulsen's R-Series uprights owner's manual TR35743 (04-26) for units built after July 2025 with the Smart Control.

## Before you book, in this order.

Each step comes from Traulsen's own guidance for PFA on its commercial appliances. Follow it to the end: the last card says whether this is a visit.

01

Unlock the keypad, open the alarm menu and read tPd and tCu to see how long power was lost and the warmest temperature reached.

02

Decide on the food using those numbers and your health code, and log them.

03

Clear PFA from the same menu so it reads normal again.

04

If PFA keeps setting with no outage you know of, book a visit.

### Still there?

It usually turns into [commercial controls and board repair](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/services/commercial-controls-and-board-repair/). Book with the code and the model number.

### What not to do

PFA is a record of a power event, not a failure of the control. A cabinet temperature problem shows under tCA instead.

## What you may notice with it.

The commercial appliance problems PFA tends to arrive with. Answer these at the commercial appliance before anyone is booked.

[All problems](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/problems/)

Before you call

### [Commercial Appliance Error Code on a Combi, Fryer, Dish Machine or Laundry Display](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/problems/commercial-error-code/)

[All 8 causes, cheapest first](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/problems/commercial-error-code/)

It also comes with

- [**Reach-In Cooler Not Holding Temperature Through a Shift**](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/problems/reach-in-not-holding-temperature/)

Problem

### Commercial Appliance Error Code on a Combi, Fryer, Dish Machine or Laundry Display

8 causes, cheapest first

Where PFA usually leads

## Commercial controls and board repair.

**Controller, touch panel, probe or sensor, relay, contactor, power supply, door switch or interlock, tested before anything is changed · moderate.**

Book a visit [What the job involves](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/services/commercial-controls-and-board-repair/)

## Traulsen commercial appliances.

A Traulsen cabinet that starts to drift gets its visit as soon as the food inside has a safe place to go.

[Traulsen commercial appliance repair](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/brands/traulsen/)

More Traulsen codes

[ELE LOS](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/traulsen-ele-los/) [DOR OPN](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/traulsen-dor-opn/) [CHI](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/traulsen-chi/) [CLO](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/traulsen-clo/) [CLN FIL](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/traulsen-cln-fil/) [SN1](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/traulsen-sn1/) [SN2](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/traulsen-sn2/) [SN3](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/traulsen-sn3/) [DEF ERR](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/traulsen-def-err/) [RUN ERR](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/traulsen-run-err/)

Controls and power on other makes

[Alto-Shaam E02](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/alto-shaam-e02/) [Beverage-Air uLi](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/beverage-air-uli/) [Blodgett Com Error](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/blodgett-com-error/) [Delfield uLi](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/delfield-uli/) [Dexter F1](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/dexter-f1/) [Frymaster E19](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/frymaster-e19/) [Garland E01](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/garland-e01/) [Hatco Communication Error](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/hatco-communication-error/)

[All 64 codes of this kind](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/#family-board)

Traulsen builds this

### Commercial cold storage

Reach-in and pass-through cabinets, walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers, prep and sandwich tables, undercounter units and blast chillers that hold a kitchen's food at safe temperatures.

Traulsen builds this

### Commercial cooking equipment

Fryers, griddles, charbroilers, restaurant ranges, convection and combi ovens, steamers, kettles, holding cabinets and toasters, on gas or electric, that make up the hot side of a kitchen line.

## In Traulsen's own words

> Power Failure Alarm Status

[Traulsen R-Series uprights owner's manual TR35743 (04-26), 'Models After July 2025' on traulsen.com owner's manuals](https://cdn1-originals.webdamdb.com/12872_91710453?cache=1777436594&response-content-disposition=inline;filename=R-Series%2520Uprights%2520OM%2520TR35743%2520%252804-26%2529.pdf&response-content-type=application/pdf&Policy=eyJTdGF0ZW1lbnQiOlt7IlJlc291cmNlIjoiaHR0cCo6Ly9jZG4xLW9yaWdpbmFscy53ZWJkYW1kYi5jb20vMTI4NzJfOTE3MTA0NTM~Y2FjaGU9MTc3NzQzNjU5NCZyZXNwb25zZS1jb250ZW50LWRpc3Bvc2l0aW9uPWlubGluZTtmaWxlbmFtZT1SLVNlcmllcyUyNTIwVXByaWdodHMlMjUyME9NJTI1MjBUUjM1NzQzJTI1MjAlMjUyODA0LTI2JTI1MjkucGRmJnJlc3BvbnNlLWNvbnRlbnQtdHlwZT1hcHBsaWNhdGlvbi9wZGYiLCJDb25kaXRpb24iOnsiRGF0ZUxlc3NUaGFuIjp7IkFXUzpFcG9jaFRpbWUiOjIxNDc0MTQ0MDB9fX1dfQ__&Signature=J~hU7uumkhy5hBsIu-4dxyzNw0xDcmt7Dt98gNKlnq64-ORUtqQlEwU-MCNiEsl56ROP1b~lGOpndcxIOoZpocHbB-d~JHND0saQOrSLUXDqMjTQfdewz54gJoGw5OLzUW9nXd8PJWkLDuxhjI3M4QRUen1UR3VVOecTiZ0xlsIwz~2G4JnRkM8-3gZv0XVMi3qhvyc-Dij5ijy-B3g6BfAzS5Fzeo83iWQTdzLhqjP-W6c2qIFrAGgEKC9PWU6q0K0jJdg0dke~iqJCFiMW3vZmTAmk~BAzuM9NEwkJ6IbEel5i9ZTL~fJrsS3J8YX1NdoSVIfYTAt2gcLblL4rNg__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAI2ASI2IOLRFF2RHA) [Traulsen R-Series uprights owner's manual TR35743 (04-26), 'Models After July 2025' on traulsen.com owner's manuals](https://cdn1-originals.webdamdb.com/12872_91710453?cache=1777436594&response-content-disposition=inline;filename=R-Series%2520Uprights%2520OM%2520TR35743%2520%252804-26%2529.pdf&response-content-type=application/pdf&Policy=eyJTdGF0ZW1lbnQiOlt7IlJlc291cmNlIjoiaHR0cCo6Ly9jZG4xLW9yaWdpbmFscy53ZWJkYW1kYi5jb20vMTI4NzJfOTE3MTA0NTM~Y2FjaGU9MTc3NzQzNjU5NCZyZXNwb25zZS1jb250ZW50LWRpc3Bvc2l0aW9uPWlubGluZTtmaWxlbmFtZT1SLVNlcmllcyUyNTIwVXByaWdodHMlMjUyME9NJTI1MjBUUjM1NzQzJTI1MjAlMjUyODA0LTI2JTI1MjkucGRmJnJlc3BvbnNlLWNvbnRlbnQtdHlwZT1hcHBsaWNhdGlvbi9wZGYiLCJDb25kaXRpb24iOnsiRGF0ZUxlc3NUaGFuIjp7IkFXUzpFcG9jaFRpbWUiOjIxNDc0MTQ0MDB9fX1dfQ__&Signature=J~hU7uumkhy5hBsIu-4dxyzNw0xDcmt7Dt98gNKlnq64-ORUtqQlEwU-MCNiEsl56ROP1b~lGOpndcxIOoZpocHbB-d~JHND0saQOrSLUXDqMjTQfdewz54gJoGw5OLzUW9nXd8PJWkLDuxhjI3M4QRUen1UR3VVOecTiZ0xlsIwz~2G4JnRkM8-3gZv0XVMi3qhvyc-Dij5ijy-B3g6BfAzS5Fzeo83iWQTdzLhqjP-W6c2qIFrAGgEKC9PWU6q0K0jJdg0dke~iqJCFiMW3vZmTAmk~BAzuM9NEwkJ6IbEel5i9ZTL~fJrsS3J8YX1NdoSVIfYTAt2gcLblL4rNg__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAI2ASI2IOLRFF2RHA) [Traulsen R-Series uprights owner's manual TR35743 (04-26), 'Models After July 2025' on traulsen.com owner's manuals](https://cdn1-originals.webdamdb.com/12872_91710453?cache=1777436594&response-content-disposition=inline;filename=R-Series%2520Uprights%2520OM%2520TR35743%2520%252804-26%2529.pdf&response-content-type=application/pdf&Policy=eyJTdGF0ZW1lbnQiOlt7IlJlc291cmNlIjoiaHR0cCo6Ly9jZG4xLW9yaWdpbmFscy53ZWJkYW1kYi5jb20vMTI4NzJfOTE3MTA0NTM~Y2FjaGU9MTc3NzQzNjU5NCZyZXNwb25zZS1jb250ZW50LWRpc3Bvc2l0aW9uPWlubGluZTtmaWxlbmFtZT1SLVNlcmllcyUyNTIwVXByaWdodHMlMjUyME9NJTI1MjBUUjM1NzQzJTI1MjAlMjUyODA0LTI2JTI1MjkucGRmJnJlc3BvbnNlLWNvbnRlbnQtdHlwZT1hcHBsaWNhdGlvbi9wZGYiLCJDb25kaXRpb24iOnsiRGF0ZUxlc3NUaGFuIjp7IkFXUzpFcG9jaFRpbWUiOjIxNDc0MTQ0MDB9fX1dfQ__&Signature=J~hU7uumkhy5hBsIu-4dxyzNw0xDcmt7Dt98gNKlnq64-ORUtqQlEwU-MCNiEsl56ROP1b~lGOpndcxIOoZpocHbB-d~JHND0saQOrSLUXDqMjTQfdewz54gJoGw5OLzUW9nXd8PJWkLDuxhjI3M4QRUen1UR3VVOecTiZ0xlsIwz~2G4JnRkM8-3gZv0XVMi3qhvyc-Dij5ijy-B3g6BfAzS5Fzeo83iWQTdzLhqjP-W6c2qIFrAGgEKC9PWU6q0K0jJdg0dke~iqJCFiMW3vZmTAmk~BAzuM9NEwkJ6IbEel5i9ZTL~fJrsS3J8YX1NdoSVIfYTAt2gcLblL4rNg__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAI2ASI2IOLRFF2RHA)

Every code on this site is taken from the manufacturer's documentation, never from a forum or a parts listing. Described in Traulsen's R-Series uprights owner's manual TR35743 (04-26) for units built after July 2025 with the Smart Control.

## Traulsen PFA commercial appliance repair, where we come out.

The same visit in every metro below: the code, the model number, and a diagnosis before any part is ordered.

[All service areas](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/locations/)

[Tampa Bay](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/) FL · 31 areas

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- [Winter Park](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/locations/orlando/winter-park/)
- [Windermere](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/locations/orlando/windermere/)
- [Dr. Phillips](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/locations/orlando/dr-phillips/)
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- [Lake Nona](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/locations/orlando/lake-nona/)
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- [Brickell](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/locations/south-florida/brickell/)
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[Chicago](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/locations/chicagoland/) IL · 50 areas

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- [Lake Forest](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/locations/chicagoland/lake-forest/)
- [Highland Park](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/locations/chicagoland/highland-park/)
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- [Lakeview](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/locations/chicagoland/lakeview/)

[Los Angeles](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/locations/los-angeles/) CA · 95 areas

- [Beverly Hills](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/locations/los-angeles/beverly-hills/)
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- [Pasadena](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/locations/los-angeles/pasadena/)
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[San Diego](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/locations/san-diego/) CA · 31 areas

- [La Jolla](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/locations/san-diego/la-jolla/)
- [Carmel Valley](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/locations/san-diego/carmel-valley/)
- [Point Loma](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/locations/san-diego/point-loma/)
- [Del Mar](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/locations/san-diego/del-mar/)
- [Rancho Santa Fe](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/locations/san-diego/rancho-santa-fe/)
- [Coronado](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/locations/san-diego/coronado/)
- [Encinitas](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/locations/san-diego/encinitas/)
- [Solana Beach](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/locations/san-diego/solana-beach/)

[San Francisco Bay Area](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/locations/bay-area/) CA · 74 areas

- [Pacific Heights](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/locations/bay-area/pacific-heights/)
- [Presidio Heights](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/locations/bay-area/presidio-heights/)
- [Russian Hill](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/locations/bay-area/russian-hill/)
- [Noe Valley](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/locations/bay-area/noe-valley/)
- [Sea Cliff](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/locations/bay-area/sea-cliff/)
- [Hillsborough](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/locations/bay-area/hillsborough/)
- [Atherton](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/locations/bay-area/atherton/)
- [Woodside](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/locations/bay-area/woodside/)
- [Palo Alto](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/locations/bay-area/palo-alto/)
- [Los Altos Hills](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/locations/bay-area/los-altos-hills/)
- [Tiburon](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/locations/bay-area/tiburon/)
- [Piedmont](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/locations/bay-area/piedmont/)
- [Marina](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/locations/bay-area/marina/)

For the heart of your home.

## Questions about PFA.

### Can I clear PFA myself?

Unlock the keypad, open the alarm menu and read tPd and tCu to see how long power was lost and the warmest temperature reached. If it comes back, it needs a visit.

### How do I see how long my Traulsen lost power?

In the Smart Control alarm menu, tPd shows the duration and tCu the cabinet temperature when power returned. Those two numbers are what a health inspector will ask about.

### How do I clear PFA on a newer Traulsen?

The owner's manual has you go to PFA in the alarm menu and confirm twice so it reads nor. The steps start by pressing the unlock key twice.

### Why does my new Traulsen have no ELE LOS message?

Units with the Smart Control keep power events in the PFA alarm menu instead of flashing text on the home screen.

---

**[Read on the site: Traulsen PFA: the Smart Control recorded a power failure](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/error-codes/traulsen-pfa/)**

**[Book a visit with CommercialApplianceRepair.center](https://commercialappliancerepair.center/schedule/)**
