IBC Technologies · Error codes
IBC SL G3 “Ignition trials exceeded” alert
Error – Ignition trials exceeded
IBC's installation and operating manual lists this alert when the boiler fails to light on three successive ignition attempts. The control then enters a one-hour lockout, after which it repeats the three-try sequence. The manual advises consulting a service technician if the condition recurs, and lists possible causes including no spark (ignition lead or probe gap), a gas line that has not been purged or a closed manual shut-off, and poor grounding or a faulty ignition lead or spark module.
If you smell gas
- Stop what you are doing. Do not use phones, switches, matches or anything that can spark inside.
- Go outside and leave the door open behind you.
- Call the FortisBC 24-hour emergency line at 1-800-663-9911 or dial 911.
Only after that, call ROMA about the boiler. Official guidance: FortisBC gas leaks and odour.
Applies to
This alert text is shown by the V-10 touchscreen controller on SL Series G3 residential boilers (SL 10-85 G3, SL 14-115 G3, SL 20-160 G3 and SL 30-199 G3) as documented in manual 120-276E13. Earlier SL boilers with different controllers, and other IBC series, may display different wording or numeric codes for a similar condition.
Controller: V-10 touchscreen controller. Source manual: 120-276E13 (2026-08-11).
Why a code is not a diagnosis
An ignition alert tells you the burner did not light; it does not tell you why. The same message can result from a gas supply interruption, a closed valve, a fouled or mis-gapped ignition probe, a wiring or grounding fault, a control fault, or combustion-air and venting problems. Only inspection and testing on site can distinguish these.
Safe things to observe
- Note the exact alert text and whether the boiler has retried and locked out more than once.
- Check whether other gas appliances in the home are working, which can indicate a supply issue.
- Confirm the boiler's electrical supply is on (a tripped breaker can look like a control fault).
- Look, without touching anything, for water on the floor, visible corrosion or a blocked outdoor vent terminal.
Do not
- Do not repeatedly reset the boiler to force ignition attempts.
- Do not open the gas valve, adjust gas pressure, touch the ignition components or bypass any safety device.
- Do not attempt to purge a gas line yourself.
How professional service helps
- A licensed gas technician tests gas supply pressure and confirms the shut-off and purge state.
- The ignition electrode gap, lead and grounding are inspected and corrected to IBC's specification.
- The spark module, gas valve operation and control history are checked before the boiler is returned to service.
- Combustion is verified with an analyser after any repair, and venting and condensate are checked at the same visit.
Where ROMA provides on-site service
On-site service is currently offered in Greater Vancouver, BC, including Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, Coquitlam, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, New Westminster, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Delta, Langley, Maple Ridge, Abbotsford, Chilliwack, White Rock, Pitt Meadows, Tsawwassen, Anmore, Lions Bay, Belcarra, Bowen Island, Mission. Everything else on this site is reference information you can use anywhere in Canada.
Parts and service
Parts commonly involved
These parts appear in the documented text for this alert. A code reports a condition, not a failed part — a technician confirms the cause by testing before anything is replaced.
Ignition cable
The ignition cable carries the high-voltage spark from the boiler's ignition module or transformer to the electrode at the burner.
What a technician checks →Ignition electrode
The ignition electrode creates the spark that lights the burner in a gas boiler, and on many models it also senses the flame once it is burning.
What a technician checks →
Service for this alert
- Gas Boiler Repair
Licensed gas technicians from ROMA Heating & Cooling diagnose and repair residential and light-commercial gas boilers across…
- Emergency Boiler Repair
Priority gas boiler repair for homes and buildings in Greater Vancouver with no heat, no hot water, a locked-out boiler or a leak.
Every boiler part explained — what it does, how it fails and what a technician checks.
Documented for IBC Technologies SL Series G3.
Frequently asked questions
Can I just reset the boiler?
IBC's control retries three times and then locks out for an hour before trying again. If the alert returns after a lockout cycle, the manual advises calling a service technician rather than resetting repeatedly.
Does this alert mean I have a gas leak?
Not by itself. If you smell gas, stop, go outside and call the FortisBC emergency line at 1-800-663-9911 or 911 before anything else. Otherwise the alert most often points to ignition, supply or wiring causes that a technician confirms on site.
Is this the same as a numeric error code?
The SL G3's V-10 controller shows text alerts rather than numbers. If your IBC boiler shows a numeric code, it is a different controller, and the meaning must be checked against that unit's manual.
Boiler locked out? Call with the alert text ready.
The brand, model and this alert are passed along when you request service online, so the technician arrives prepared.
On-site service in Greater Vancouver, BC. ROMA lists “Open 7 days” on its site; call to confirm same-day availability.
Sources and verification
- IBC SL G3 Installation & Operating Manual, section 9.2.1 · 120-276E13 · accessed September 7, 2026
Facts checked September 7, 2026. Last updated September 7, 2026. Technical reviewer: not yet assigned.