Description
When you have an original Carrier control board fail, the ICM281 gives you a simple, affordable way to bring the furnace back online without redesigning the wiring or trying to find discontinued OEM parts. It’s built as a “form, fit, and function” replacement for the CES0110057-xx series (plus earlier CES0110020 and CES0110048 boards), so in most jobs you move the harnesses over, mount the new board, and restore heat with a clean swap.
Key Features & Benefits
Runs The Whole Furnace
Controls the gas valve, ignitor, blower motor, inducer, humidifier, and electronic air cleaner, so one control handles the full heat cycle instead of multiple add-on modules.
Microprocessor-Based Precision
Uses a microprocessor for accurate timing and safety checks, helping the furnace start, run, and shut down more consistently than older mechanical-style controls.
LED Fault Codes
On-board diagnostic LEDs flash fault codes, so you can quickly zero in on ignition, flame-sensing, or safety switch problems instead of changing parts blindly.
Shutoff Safety and More
Provides 100% gas shutoff if ignition fails and includes reverse polarity and brownout protection to help prevent unsafe operation when wiring or line voltage isn’t perfect.
Works With Standard Thermostats and Twin Setups
Compatible with any standard 24 VAC thermostat, and can be twinned with another ICM281 so two matched furnaces can operate together when the system design requires it.
Frequently Asked Questions
| Is this board safe to use across Carrier/Bryant/Payne models, or are there exceptions? | It’s intended for Carrier-family furnaces (Carrier/Bryant/Payne) that shipped with the part numbers below. Always confirm by model/serial and the furnace parts list. If your OEM board number isn’t on the ICM281 cross-ref, don’t assume compatibility. |
| Carrier-only replacement, or OK for other brands with the same OEM number? | Treat it as a Carrier-family replacement. If another brand truly used one of the listed Carrier/BDP part numbers, it may be compatible, but ICM specifies this board for the Carrier CES01100xx/HH84AA016 series. Verify against the equipment’s parts list before installing. |
| Thermostat compatibility (including Wi-Fi)? | Works with standard 24 VAC thermostats, including modern single-stage Wi-Fi stats that use R/C/W/Y/G. Communicating / EIA-485 proprietary thermostats are not supported. |
