VFD Fault Codes Explained
VFD Fault Codes Explained: Overcurrent, Overvoltage, Undervoltage, and Overload Trips (Causes and Fixes) Variable frequency drives protect both the motor and the equipment they run. When a drive detects a condition outside safe limits, it stops the process and displays a fault code. For plant engineers and maintenance teams, the priority is to find the cause quickly and correct it before production is affected. A trip does not always mean the drive is faulty. Many events that appear to be drive failures begin elsewhere, in the wiring, the mechanical load, or the incoming supply. Accurate diagnosis depends on reviewing the whole system, not only the drive. This guide explains four common trips: overcurrent, overvoltage, undervoltage, and overload. For each one, it outlines the typical causes and the recommended corrective actions. Quick Comparison of the Four Trips Trip Typical Trigger First fix to try Overcurrent Loose connections, damaged wires, mechanical friction, fast acceleration, heavy starting load Check wiring, run autotuning, lengthen acceleration time. Overvoltage Quick deceleration, overhauling loads, supply voltage spikes Lengthen deceleration time, stabilize the supply, add braking resistors or a regenerative supply Undervoltage Supply voltage too low, grid fluctuations Measure input voltage and DC bus, confirm the supply matches the drive rating Overload Undersized drive, starting torque or surge loads, heat Recheck sizing with margin, clean and cool the drive, consider derating What Is a VFD Fault Code? A VFD fault code is the drive’s way of naming the problem it detected before it stopped. Frequency converters help keep production stable through fault diagnosis. They point to process problems, and sometimes the drive itself needs repair or replacement. First Steps Before You Reset Anything A few quick checks save a lot of guessing: Overcurrent Trips Overcurrent means the drive saw more current than it should. It is one of the most common trips, and the cause is often simple. Common causes How to fix it Overvoltage Trips Overvoltage shows up most often when a motor slows down fast. During quick deceleration, the motor acts like a generator and sends energy back into the drive. Voltage spikes on the supply side can cause the same trip. Overhauling loads, where machine inertia keeps pushing the motor, do it too. How to fix it Veikong Electric lists a braking chopper, an aluminum resistor, and a ripple resistor, each with its own datasheet. Check the datasheet for ratings, and confirm the match with the technical team before ordering. Undervoltage Trips Undervoltage refers to a supply that is too low. A low supply can also make a drive stop for reasons that look unclear at first. What to check If the drive stops for no clear reason Use this short routine: Overload Trips Overload happens when the drive is asked for more than it can deliver. The most common reason is sizing. A drive that is too small trips out under load. Common causes How to fix it How to Prevent Repeat Trips Is Every Trip a Drive Failure? No, many trips come from loose wiring, a stuck load, supply problems, or heat. Check the system before replacing the drive. How Veikong Backs Its Drives Shenzhen VEIKONG Electric Co., Ltd researches, manufactures, and trades high-, medium-, and low-voltage frequency inverters, and has been doing so since 2004. Its products follow ISO9001 quality management and meet ISO, CE, and IEC standards. Before delivery, each product passes a 12-hour power-on aging test in a high-temperature chamber, then a final full-load test. Support includes: Overcurrent often points to wiring, friction, or fast acceleration. Overvoltage usually comes from quick stops, so slow the deceleration or add braking. Undervoltage means checking the supply and the signals. Overload is mostly about sizing, starting torque, and heat. Read the code, check live values, and ask what changed on the machine. Need help with a drive that keeps tripping, or choosing the right size? Email infoveikong-electric.com, call +86-0755-89587650, or message on WhatsApp at +86 15989436541. For technical support, write to Service@veikong-electric.com.