In the world of industrial automation, inverter is a good partner, work day and night, is the absolute hardworking bee. But don't look at them usually so hard-working, a little inattention will appear a variety of "small emotions", so you are in a mess.
Today, we will talk about these common inverter "temper tantrums", whether it is ABB, or Siemens and other big brands, or domestic brands, common failures they have, to deal with the same method. Ready to take notes, record these "vitamins" it, the next is full of dry goods.
1.Overcurrent Fault
Do you hear the machine click and then the word "OC" flashes on the display? That's the overcurrent fault greeting you. Overcurrent faults are usually triggered when the motor or load momentarily exceeds the rated current of the inverter.
Solution:
Check the motor and load: look for short circuits or mechanical jams.
Adjusting the acceleration/deceleration time: Appropriately extending the acceleration/deceleration time can effectively alleviate overcurrent problems.
Test the inverter parameters: Make sure the parameter settings match the motor.
2.Overvoltage Fault
The inverter shouts "OV", then be careful, you may have encountered an overvoltage fault. It usually occurs when the power supply voltage fluctuates greatly, or when the load inertia is large, resulting in the DC bus voltage of the inverter exceeding the set value.
Solution:
Check the supply voltage: Make sure that the supply voltage is stable and does not fluctuate too high or too low.
Adding a braking unit or braking resistor: Especially with high inertia loads, adding a brake can effectively reduce voltage peaks.
Adjusting the deceleration time: Slows down the deceleration time to prevent the voltage from spiking momentarily.
3.Undervoltage Fault
Undervoltage faults, also known as "UV", are usually caused by too low a supply voltage or transient fluctuations in the power grid. This type of fault tends to leave the inverter in an unstable state, especially during peak loads.
Solution: Stabilise the supply voltage: check the quality of the power supply and use a voltage regulator if necessary.
Detecting the power grid: Ensuring that there are no frequent voltage fluctuations in the power grid.
Adjust the parameters appropriately: increase the threshold of undervoltage protection to avoid false alarms.
4.Overtemperature Fault
Inverters, like people, have a temperature limit. When you see "OH" or "OT", it means that your inverter may be "fever". Over-temperature faults are usually caused by insufficient cooling system or high ambient temperature.
Solution:
Check the cooling system: make sure the cooling fan is working properly and is not clogged.
Clear the vents around the inverter: keep it well ventilated to avoid heat build-up.
Lower the ambient temperature: If the ambient temperature is too high, consider adding air conditioners or fans to cool it down.
5.Ground Fault
Ground faults can cause serious safety hazards. When the inverter displays "GF", it means that a current has passed through the earth wire where it should not. You need to stop the unit immediately and have it checked.
Solution:
CHECK WIRING: Ensure that all earth wires and cables are properly connected and undamaged.
Test insulation: Use an insulation tester to test the insulation resistance of the motor and cables to ensure there is no leakage.
Check load equipment: Make sure there are no ground faults or short circuits in the load equipment.
6.Communication Fault
A communication fault occurs when the inverter loses contact with the control system, displaying "CE" or "SC". This type of fault can cause the equipment to fail to operate normally or respond to control commands.
Solution:
Check the communication cable: Make sure the communication cable is firmly connected and not damaged.
Reboot the device: sometimes a simple reboot will solve the problem.
Detecting communication protocol: Confirm that the communication protocol between the inverter and the control system is the same.
7.External Fault
"EF" or "EFX" usually indicate an external fault, which means that there is a problem with a device or sensor external to the inverter. They also stop the inverter from running until the fault is cleared.
Solution:
Check external devices: Make sure that all external devices and sensors are working properly and that there are no false signals.
Test the wiring: Make sure all connections are not loose or damaged.
View system logs: Use system logs to find out exactly what triggered the external failure.
Although the frequency converter is a tough industrial partner, but there will inevitably be "sick" time. Understanding and mastering these common failures and their solutions will not only allow you to cope with failures when they occur, but also effectively reduce downtime and improve production efficiency. We hope that this article will become your "emergency manual", and come in handy at critical moments.