Brivis Evaporative Cooler PCB and Add-On Module: Compatibility Guide
Written by Rica Francia Macaspac, HVAC Shop content writer, in consultation with Aussie HVAC tradies and industry experts. Published: June 2026 · Last reviewed: June 2026.
If you are looking at a Brivis evaporative cooler that has stopped responding correctly and you have narrowed the fault down to the PCB or control module, the next question is which specific module your unit uses. The 526 PCB add-on module, the 516 low voltage network module, and the TEK467 electronic control box all look like they could solve the same problem, but they are not interchangeable. Each one suits a specific control architecture, and fitting the wrong one will not resolve the fault. This guide identifies what each module does, which units it suits, and how to confirm the correct one for your specific cooler before ordering. If you already have your BSB part code, use it as your primary reference and match directly against the correct replacement part before ordering.
What the 526 PCB Add-On Module Does
The 526 PCB add-on module is the primary control board for a broad range of Brivis evaporative cooler models. It manages the cooler's core operating functions: fan speed selection across multiple speed settings, pump activation and control for water delivery to the cooling pads, operating mode switching between cool, fan-only, and purge, and communication with the wall controller over the Brivis network bus. When this module fails, the cooler loses the ability to respond correctly to user inputs. The most common symptoms are the unit not responding to the wall controller at all, the fan running on a single speed regardless of the setting selected, or the pump failing to activate when cooling mode is requested.
The module itself is a compact PCB housed in the control enclosure on the cooler unit body. On rooftop-mounted Brivis evaporative coolers, the control enclosure is typically accessible via a panel on the side or top of the unit. On ceiling-mounted units, access is usually through a hinged panel. The 526 module connects to the main wiring harness via a plug connector, which makes physical replacement straightforward once the correct module has been identified and the unit is safely de-energised.
The Brivis 526 PCB add-on module (BSB023072) is the genuine replacement part for units fitted with this control architecture. Before ordering, confirm that your unit uses the 526 module approach rather than the TEK467 control box, which is a different control architecture used on a separate range of Brivis cooler models. The BSB code on the original module is the most reliable confirmation: if it begins with BSB023072 or matches the listing, the 526 module is the correct replacement.
Tradie Pro Tip: Before replacing the 526 module, check all wiring connections at the board. On rooftop units in coastal Queensland and WA, salt air and UV exposure can cause connector oxidation that produces intermittent faults mimicking a failed PCB. A qualified technician can clean the connectors with suitable electrical contact cleaner, reconnect them firmly, and retest before ordering a replacement board.
Brivis 516 Low Voltage Network Module
The 516 low voltage module handles a different function from the 526 PCB module, and this distinction is what makes them non-interchangeable. Where the 526 module manages the cooler's internal operating functions (fan, pump, modes), the 516 module manages network communication: the data bus connection between the evaporative cooler and the rest of the Brivis system, including the wall controller and, on combined systems, the gas ducted heater.
On a Brivis network installation, the wall controller communicates with both the gas heater and the evaporative cooler over a shared low voltage network bus. The 516 module on the cooler side of the system is what receives and processes those network commands. If the 516 module fails, the cooler loses its ability to communicate with the controller and with the heater network, but the cooler's internal functions controlled by the 526 module may continue operating. This is the key diagnostic distinction: if the cooler responds correctly when operated directly at the unit but not from the wall controller, the 516 network module is the more likely fault rather than the 526 PCB module.
The Brivis 516 network module (BSB023178) is the replacement part for network communication faults on Brivis evaporative cooler installations. It is also the component to check when a combined heating and cooling system behaves erratically across both appliances: a faulty 516 module on the cooler can disrupt the network bus shared with the heater, producing symptoms that appear to be a heater or controller fault rather than an evap cooler issue.
| Module | Function | Fault Symptom | BSB Code | Interchangeable With |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 526 PCB Add-On Module | Controls fan speed, pump, and operating modes internally | No response to any input, single speed only, pump not activating | BSB023072 | Not interchangeable with 516 or TEK467 |
| 516 Low Voltage Network Module | Manages network communication to wall controller and heater | Cooler works locally, no response via network or wall controller | BSB023178 | Not interchangeable with 526 or TEK467 |
| TEK467 Electronic Control Box | Self-contained control unit for TEK-series coolers | No response to inputs, failure to start, single mode operation | BSB022970 | Not interchangeable with 526 or 516 |
TEK467 Control Box as an Alternative Architecture
The TEK467 is not a variant of the 526 module. It is a completely different control architecture used on a separate range of Brivis evaporative cooler models, the TEK series. Where the 526 approach uses a modular add-on board integrated into a broader control framework, the TEK467 is a self-contained electronic control box that manages all cooler functions in a single enclosure. On TEK-series units, the TEK467 replaces the need for a separate PCB add-on module entirely.
The symptoms of a failed TEK467 are similar to a failed 526 module: the cooler does not respond to inputs, runs in a limited single-mode operation, or fails to start. The distinction is in the control architecture. If your unit is a TEK-series model, the 526 module is not the correct replacement and will not fit the control configuration. The Brivis TEK467 control box (BSB022970) is the correct replacement for TEK-series units.
Identifying whether your unit uses the 526 module approach or the TEK467 control box approach is straightforward in most cases. The data plate on the unit will indicate the model series. TEK-series models are identified by the TEK prefix in the model name. If you open the control enclosure and find a self-contained metal or plastic box with the TEK467 label rather than a PCB board with a module connector, you have a TEK467 unit. If you find a PCB board with a plug-in module connection, you have a 526 module unit.
Did You Know? The TEK467 control box on older Brivis evaporative coolers is sometimes confused with a fuse box or junction box by homeowners who have not seen one before. If a homeowner describes "a metal box with wires going into it" in the control area of the cooler, this may be the TEK467 rather than a wiring junction. Confirm by checking the label on the box before ordering any replacement parts.
How to Verify Compatibility Before Ordering
Evaporative cooler modules are electrical components. Replacement may involve 240V wiring, low-voltage controls, rooftop access, and system commissioning. Homeowners can identify the model number, photograph the data plate, and source the correct part, but a licensed electrician or qualified HVAC technician should handle replacement where wiring, rooftop access, or commissioning is involved.
The compatibility verification process for Brivis evaporative cooler modules follows the same logic as for gas heater components: match by BSB part code first, confirm unit model and series second, and contact the supplier before ordering if anything is unclear.
The BSB code is printed on a label on the original component. If the label is readable, this is your primary reference. Read the BSB code from the original module or control box, locate the replacement part with the matching BSB code, and that is the correct replacement. If the original label is missing or damaged, work from the model number on the data plate. Cross-reference the model number with the known component fitment for that model series: TEK-series models use the TEK467, other models use the 526 module or 516 network module depending on the function at fault.
Network integration type is the additional variable to confirm before ordering either the 526 or 516 module. If the cooler is part of a combined heating and cooling network with a Brivis gas heater and a shared wall controller, both the 526 and 516 modules may be relevant depending on whether the fault is in the cooler's internal functions or its network communication. If the cooler is standalone with no gas heater network, the 516 network module may not be applicable and the 526 PCB module is the primary component to investigate.
If you have worked through the data plate, BSB codes, and fault symptoms and are still unsure which module suits your unit, contact us with the model number and a description of the fault behaviour before ordering. Getting the right part the first time is significantly faster than ordering, receiving, and returning the wrong one. All parts are stocked in Australia and dispatched Australia-wide, so once you have the correct part confirmed the turnaround is quick. For electrical safety and licensing requirements, check the regulator in your state or territory before carrying out any work involving wiring, mains power, or rooftop equipment.
Tradie Pro Tip: When diagnosing module faults on a combined Brivis system, a qualified technician can test each component in isolation where possible before ordering. They may isolate the 516 network module and test the cooler in local mode. If local function is correct but network communication is absent, the 516 module is the likely fault. If the cooler fails in local mode as well, the 526 PCB module may be the likely fault. This two-step isolation test avoids ordering both modules when only one has failed.
Back to the Complete Evap Cooler Parts Guide
This guide focuses specifically on PCB module and control box compatibility for Brivis evaporative coolers. For a broader overview of all evaporative cooler replacement parts including wall controllers, pump components, and the NC-6 network integration controller, the Brivis evaporative cooler parts guide covers every major component category with fault symptoms and replacement guidance.
If you have confirmed the correct module for your unit and are ready to order, all genuine Brivis evaporative cooler parts including the 526 PCB module, 516 network module, TEK467 control box, and NC-6 controller are available through our Brivis evaporative cooler parts collection. Parts are held in Australian stock and dispatched Australia-wide. If you need confirmation on compatibility before ordering, contact our team with your model number and BSB code and we will confirm the correct part before you commit to an order.