Joliet Technologies Blog Over-Voltage: Typical Variable Speed Drive Faults and How to Troubleshoot Them

Today we look at overvoltage faults, as we continue with some of the more common faults experienced by variable speed drives, their causes, and some ways to resolve them. Variable Speed Drives (VSDs, a.k.a. Adjustable Speed Drives (ASDs) or, for AC motor control, Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs)) are equipped with a number of monitoring and control features intended to protect the drive and its connected equipment from damage. Errors, Warnings, and Faults are logged in response to abnormal operating conditions and displayed on the drive’s HMI and/or sent to monitoring software in connected PCs or automation control systems. The drive’s response to the abnormal condition depends on the condition’s severity, and the potential it has to inflict damage. The faults we are discussing typically cause drive shutdown, and require that the fault be corrected and the drive reset or rebooted before it can operate normally.