Internal fault

What does ALARM 38 mean?

An unspecified internal fault has occurred within the frequency converter. This indicates a potential hardware or firmware issue requiring specialized attention, and continued operation may cause further damage.

• Transient voltage spike or electromagnetic interference (EMI) disrupting internal drive logic.
• Corruption of firmware or internal configuration settings.
• Hardware failure on the control card or power card (e.g., processor, memory).
• Internal communication bus error between drive modules (e.g., control card to power card).
• Overheating of internal components not detected by specific thermal sensors.

Click steps to track your progress.

1. 1

   Perform a full power cycle of the drive (disconnect input power for at least 60 seconds) to reset all internal electronics.

2. 2

   Record the exact fault code and any associated diagnostic or sub-code information displayed on the LCP (e.g., from P15-02 Fault Log).

3. 3

   Check the drive's environment for excessive heat, dust, or potential sources of strong electromagnetic interference (e.g., arc welders).

4. 4

   Perform a factory reset of drive parameters (e.g., P14-22 or P14-23) and carefully re-enter essential motor and application parameters.

5. 5

   If the fault persists, replacement of the control card or the entire drive unit may be necessary after consulting the manufacturer's diagnostic guides.