Drive under temperature fault
Vacon · NXP AFE-II Drive
What does F13 mean?
The heatsink temperature of the drive has fallen below an acceptable operating limit, specifically under –10°C. Operating at excessively low temperatures can affect the performance and lifespan of electronic components.
Common Causes
- Ambient temperature in the control cabinet or room falling below the drive's specified minimum operating temperature (e.g., -10°C).
- Faulty temperature sensor on the drive heatsink, providing an incorrect low-temperature reading.
- Failure of cabinet heating elements or thermostat in cold environments.
- Drive being powered on after an extended period in a very cold environment without preheating.
- Airflow directed into the cabinet at a significantly lower temperature than ambient.
Repair Steps & Checklist
Click steps to track your progress.
- 1
Measure the ambient temperature immediately surrounding the drive using a calibrated thermometer. Verify it is within the drive's specified operating range (e.g., 0°C to 50°C).
- 2
Inspect the control cabinet for proper sealing against cold drafts and ensure any installed heating elements are functional (e.g., verify thermostat set point and element resistance).
- 3
Allow the drive to warm up naturally to ambient conditions, or apply supplementary heating to the control cabinet to raise the internal temperature above –10°C.
- 4
Check drive diagnostics for the heatsink temperature reading (e.g., Menu 1-30 'Heatsink temperature') and compare it to the measured ambient temperature.
- 5
If the ambient temperature is well above the low limit and the fault persists, it may indicate a faulty internal temperature sensor requiring drive service.