Vacon NXS NXP AC Drive
49 fault codes documented
Overcurrent
The frequency converter has detected a current exceeding 4 times the nominal current (4*IH) in the motor cable. This can be caused by a sudden heavy load increase, a short circuit in the motor cables, or an unsuitable motor. Ignoring this can lead to drive shutdown and potential damage to motor or drive components.
Input line supervision
One or more input line phases are missing. This indicates a loss of one or more phases in the incoming AC supply to the frequency converter. Operating with missing phases can lead to motor damage or reduced drive lifespan.
Output phase supervision
The current measurement system has detected that there is no current flowing in one of the motor phases. This typically indicates a broken motor cable, a loose connection, or an open winding in the motor itself. Running a motor with a missing phase can cause severe damage to the motor and the drive output stage.
Brake chopper supervision
This fault indicates an issue with the brake chopper circuit, possibly due to a missing or broken brake resistor, or a failure of the brake chopper component itself. A malfunctioning brake chopper can lead to overvoltage faults during deceleration or prevent effective braking.
Frequency converter under-temperature
The heatsink temperature of the frequency converter has dropped below -10°C. Operating the drive outside its specified temperature range can affect its performance and potentially lead to component stress or failure. This fault indicates an environment that is too cold for the drive.
Frequency converter over-temperature
The heatsink temperature of the frequency converter has exceeded 90°C (or 77°C for FR6 690V drives), indicating overheating. An overtemperature warning is issued at 85°C (or 72°C). Prolonged operation at high temperatures significantly reduces the lifespan of power components and can lead to immediate drive shutdown.
Motor stalled
The motor stall protection has tripped, indicating that the motor has stalled or is operating under conditions that mimic a stall. This can be caused by excessive mechanical load or an issue preventing the motor from rotating freely. Continued operation in a stalled condition can cause motor overheating and winding damage.
Motor over-temperature
The frequency converter's internal motor temperature model has detected that the motor is overheating, usually due to being overloaded. This protection mechanism prevents thermal damage to the motor windings. Ignoring this fault will lead to severe motor degradation and potential failure.
Motor underload
The motor underload protection has tripped, meaning the motor is drawing significantly less current than expected for its commanded speed and assumed load. This could indicate a loss of load, a broken mechanical coupling, or an issue with the process being driven. While not immediately damaging, it suggests an operational issue that needs attention.
Unbalance
This fault occurs in paralleled drive units, indicating an unbalance between the power modules, specifically in current or DC voltage. This suggests uneven load sharing or internal discrepancies between the paralleled drives. Unresolved unbalance can lead to premature failure of individual power modules.
Overvoltage
The DC-link voltage has exceeded its defined limits. This typically occurs due to an excessively short deceleration time, where regenerative energy from the motor causes the DC bus to rise, or high overvoltage spikes in the supply voltage. Persistent overvoltage can damage the frequency converter's internal components.
EEPROM checksum fault
A parameter save fault has occurred, indicating an issue with storing or verifying data in the drive's EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory). This can be caused by faulty operation or a component failure within the control unit. Incorrect parameters can lead to unpredictable drive behavior or failure to operate correctly.
Counter fault
The values displayed on the internal counters are incorrect. This suggests a corruption of data related to internal drive counters, potentially impacting operational logging or maintenance schedules. While often not critical for immediate operation, it indicates an underlying data integrity issue.
Microprocessor watchdog fault
The microprocessor watchdog has tripped, indicating a software or hardware malfunction within the control unit. This can be caused by faulty operation or a component failure, where the microprocessor becomes unresponsive. This is a critical fault that prevents the drive from executing its control logic safely.
Start-up prevented
The start-up of the drive has been prevented. This typically happens if a run request is active (ON) when a new application is loaded to the drive, or if there's another condition preventing a safe start. This safety mechanism prevents unexpected motor operation.
Thermistor fault
The thermistor input on an option board has detected an increase in motor temperature beyond limits, or a fault in the thermistor circuit itself. This protection prevents motor overheating due to excessive load or inadequate cooling. A faulty connection can also trigger this.
Earth fault
Current measurement indicates that the sum of motor phase currents is not zero, signaling an insulation failure. This is often caused by damaged insulation in the motor cables or within the motor itself. An unresolved earth fault poses a significant safety hazard and can lead to severe equipment damage.
Safe disable
The Safe Disable input on the OPTAF board has opened, indicating that a safety interlock or command has been activated. This crucial safety function prevents the drive from operating until the condition is addressed. Failure to resolve the underlying safety issue could lead to hazardous machinery operation.
IGBT temperature (hardware)
The IGBT Inverter Bridge's hardware overtemperature protection has activated, detecting an excessively high short-term overload current. This indicates that the power semiconductors are experiencing dangerous thermal stress, risking permanent damage or reduced lifespan if the overload persists.
Fan cooling
The frequency converter's cooling fan failed to start when an ON command was issued. This is a critical issue as the fan is essential for dissipating internal heat from power components. Its failure will lead to rapid overheating and potential damage to the drive if operation continues.
CAN bus communication
A message sent over the CAN bus was not acknowledged by another device on the network. This indicates a problem with the CAN bus communication, which could stem from incorrect configuration, wiring issues, or a faulty device on the bus. Loss of communication means the drive cannot be reliably controlled or monitored.
Application problem
A problem has been detected within the custom application software running on the frequency converter. This indicates a logical error, unexpected condition, or bug in the user-developed program. Such issues can lead to unpredictable drive behavior or complete system malfunction.
Control unit mismatch
An incompatibility issue exists where an NXS Control Unit is attempting to control an NXP Power Unit, or vice versa. These specific control and power unit types are not designed to be interchangeable, leading to a functional mismatch that prevents proper drive operation. This fault indicates incorrect hardware assembly.
Device changed (same type)
An option board or control unit has been replaced with another of the exact same type or power rating. While the hardware is compatible, the system registers a component change. A reset is typically required to recognize the new component and ensure existing parameter settings are correctly applied.
Device added (same type)
An option board or an additional drive of the same type has been successfully added to the system. The frequency converter needs to be reset to properly recognize and integrate the new component, allowing it to utilize existing or default board settings. This fault is informational, signaling a configuration update.
Device removed
An option board that was previously part of the system has been detected as removed. The frequency converter registers this hardware change and requires a reset to update its configuration, recognizing that the board is no longer present. This is an informational fault indicating a system hardware modification.
Device unknown
The frequency converter has detected an unknown or incompatible option board or drive, or there's a specific mismatch between power unit types (e.g., Power1 not same type as Power2, indicated by subcode S2). This signifies an incorrect or unrecognized hardware component has been installed. Using incompatible hardware can lead to malfunction or damage.
IGBT temperature
The IGBT Inverter Bridge's overtemperature protection has detected an excessively high short-term overload current, causing the IGBTs to heat up rapidly. This fault indicates severe thermal stress on the power stage, which can lead to component failure and ultimately, drive damage if not addressed promptly.
Brake resistor
Problems have been detected with the brake resistor, which is used to dissipate regenerative energy during deceleration. This could indicate the resistor is faulty, incorrectly sized, or the deceleration time is too short for the current load. A malfunctioning brake resistor can lead to overvoltage faults.
Encoder fault
A problem has been detected in the encoder signals, which are crucial for accurate speed and position feedback. This can be caused by missing or faulty channels (A or B), a reversed encoder, or a missing encoder board. Inaccurate feedback can lead to unstable motor control or drive shutdown.
Charging switch
The charging switch is detected as open when a START command is given to the drive. This indicates either faulty operation of the switch or a component failure within the charging circuit. The drive cannot start safely without the charging circuit functioning correctly, potentially leaving the DC bus uncharged or in an unsafe state.
Keypad communication fault
The communication link between the control keypad (or NCDrive software) and the frequency converter has been broken. This prevents local control and monitoring of the drive. It can be caused by a loose connection or a damaged keypad cable.
Fieldbus fault
The data connection between the fieldbus Master device and the fieldbus option board in the frequency converter is broken. This means the drive cannot send or receive commands and status information over the network. It can be caused by incorrect installation or a communication issue on the bus.
Slot fault
A defective option board or slot has been detected. This indicates a hardware failure within the drive's expansion slots or a faulty option board itself. A slot fault can prevent functionality associated with the board or cause instability in the drive.
PT100 board temp. fault
The temperature limit values set for the PT100 board parameters have been exceeded, indicating an overtemperature condition detected by a PT100 sensor. This typically relates to external equipment being monitored for temperature. Ignoring this can lead to damage of the monitored component.
Identification
The motor identification run has failed. This can happen if the run command was removed before the identification process completed, if the motor is not properly connected to the frequency converter, or if there is a load on the motor shaft during the identification process. A successful identification run is crucial for optimal motor control.
Brake
The actual status of the mechanical brake is different from its control signal, indicating a discrepancy between commanded and actual brake state. This could be due to a faulty brake, wiring issues, or incorrect feedback. An uncontrolled brake can lead to safety hazards or improper machine operation.
Follower communication
The SystemBus communication link between the Master and Follower drives in a multi-drive system is broken. This typically occurs in synchronized applications where communication is critical for coordinated operation. Loss of this link can lead to desynchronization and operational halts.
Emergency stop
A stop signal has been received from an option board, indicating an emergency stop condition. This is usually triggered by an external safety circuit for immediate shutdown. The drive will not operate until the emergency stop condition is cleared, ensuring personnel and equipment safety.
Cooling
The coolant circulation in a liquid-cooled drive has failed. This is a critical fault as proper liquid cooling is essential for dissipating heat from the drive's power components. Without adequate cooling, the drive will quickly overheat, leading to shutdown and potential damage.
Speed error
The actual motor speed is significantly different from the reference speed, indicating a control deviation. This can be caused by encoder connection issues or, in the case of a PMS motor, by exceeding its pull-out torque. An uncorrected speed error can lead to process instability or drive protection trips.
Run disable
The run enable signal is low, preventing the drive from starting or continuing operation. This is a safety interlock that prevents unintended motor startup. The drive will not run until the run enable signal is asserted high.
Emergency stop
An emergency stop command has been received from a digital input or via the fieldbus. This triggers an immediate drive stop for safety reasons. The drive will not accept a new run command until the fault is reset and the emergency stop condition is cleared.
Input switch open
The drive's input switch (main power switch) is detected as open. This means the main power supply to the frequency converter has been disconnected or is not properly closed. The drive cannot operate without its main power supply.
PT100 board 2 temp fault
Temperature limit values set for a second PT100 board (or set of inputs) have been exceeded. This can also occur if more PT100 inputs are selected in parameters than are physically connected, or if a PT100 cable is broken. This fault indicates an overtemperature condition or an issue with the sensor wiring.
Saturation trip
This fault can be caused by various factors, including a defective internal component or a short-circuited/overloaded brake resistor. This is a critical fault that cannot be reset from the keypad, indicating a severe internal issue. Attempting to reconnect power without resolution risks further, irreversible damage to the drive.
Follower fault
In a Master-Follower configuration, this fault code is given if one or more of the follower drives trip to a fault state. This indicates an issue within one of the follower drives that has caused it to stop, breaking the synchronized operation. The Master reports this to alert to a system-wide problem originating from a follower.
System fault
This indicates an internal system malfunction, potentially due to a component failure or faulty operation. It includes issues like charging switch problems, no power to the driver card, or power unit communication errors. This fault points to a critical internal drive issue that prevents normal operation and requires expert intervention.
Undervoltage
The DC-link voltage has fallen below its defined limits. This is most commonly caused by a low supply voltage, a temporary supply voltage break, a defect in an input fuse, or an external charge switch not being closed. Persistent undervoltage can cause erratic drive behavior or prevent it from starting.