Schneider Electric Altivar 71 Fault Codes

During the operation of Schneider Electric industrial electronics, for example, in ventilation systems, heating systems, or automated production equipment, malfunctions often occur, which can be recognized by reading error codes and decoding these codes according to the instructions for a specific model of electronic equipment. Timely interpretation of errors can significantly speed up the diagnosis and repair of frequency converters. Below we look at the Schneider Electric Altivar 71 Fault Codes.

Altivar 71 Fault Codes Overwiew

Let's find out what Altivar 71 manual fault codes are displayed on the display when certain errors occur in the operation of the drive:

• AI2F – no signal at analog input AI2;
• AnF - the speed measured by the encoder does not match the set one;
• bOF – braking resistor overload;
• brF – braking feedback error;
• bUF - a short circuit of the braking circuit;
• CrF1 - malfunction of the charge circuit and inrush current limitation;
• CrF2 - malfunction of the charge circuit and inrush current limitation;
• ECF - encoder malfunction;
• EEF1 - malfunction of the EEPROM memory chip of the control circuit;
• EEF2 - malfunction of the EEPROM memory chip of the power circuit;
• EnF – encoder communication error;
• FCF1 - malfunction of the switching circuit of the output circuit;
• HdF - short circuit or earth fault at the output of the frequency converter;
• ILF - communication error between the expansion board and the control board;
• lnF1 - the power board does not correspond to this model of the frequency converter;
• OCF - converter overload;
• PrF – power removal function execution error;
• SCF1 - short circuit or earth fault of the connected motor;
• SCF2 - short circuit or earth fault of the connected motor;
• SCF3 - the ground fault of the connected motor;
• SOF - too high speed, unstable load;
• SPF - open encoder circuit;
• APF - malfunction of the built-in controller;
• CnF - communication error;
• EPF1 - external fault, signal transmitted by "dry contact";
• EPF2 - external fault, the signal was transmitted over the communication network;
• LCF - malfunction of the input power circuits of the converter;
• LFF2 - no 4-20 mA signal at AI2 input;
• LFF3 - no 4-20 mA signal at AI3 input;
• LFF4 - no 4-20 mA signal at AI4 input;
• ObF - too fast braking;
• OHF - frequency converter overheating;
• OLF - motor overload;
• OPF1 - breakage of the input power circuit;
• OPF2 - breakage of the output power circuit;
• OSF - overvoltage;
• OtF1 - overheating by PTC1 sensor;
• OtF2 - overheating by PTC2 sensor;
• OtFL - overheating by PTC sensor at LI6 input;
• PtF1 - an open or short circuit of the PTC1 sensor circuit;
• PtF2 - an open or short circuit of the PTC2 sensor circuit;
• PtFL - an open or short circuit of the PTC sensor circuit at the input LI6;
• SCF4 - a short circuit of the output IGBT module;
• SCF5 - a short circuit of the electric motor;
• tJF - output IGBT module overheating;
• USF - low voltage.

Troubleshooting and Resolving Altivar 71 Fault Codes

If your drive has malfunctioned and you see one of the fault codes, you must fix them. Below we will look at quick methods for eliminating Schneider Altivar 71 fault codes.

Reset frequency error
Disconnect the drive from the mains in case of a fatal problem. Wait for the display to go blank. Find the cause of the malfunction and eliminate it.

Unlocking the frequency converter after the cause of the fault has disappeared is carried out in the following ways:

• by turning off the drive until the screen goes blank and then turning on the power again;
• automatically in the cases described in the [Automatic Restart] (Atr-) function;
• via a digital input or a control bit assigned to the [Fault Reset] (rSt-) function;
• by pressing the STOP/RESET key on the graphic display terminal.

Fault reset via digital input or button
Faults are reset when the assigned digital input or bit goes to state 1 if the cause of the fault has disappeared. The STOP/RESET key on the graphic terminal performs the same function.

Reset via parameter
[Device Reset] (rP) is available only when [Access Level] = [Expert] is set. This parameter allows you to reset all faults without turning off the inverter.

Auto reset and [Auto Restart] function
The function allows you to automatically restart when the fault disappears if other operating conditions allow this. The restart is carried out automatically by a successive series of attempts.

Preventive Maintenance and Error Prevention

Next, we will look at tips on how to make preventive maintenance and use the Altivar 71 correctly.

• Perform routine inspections of the drive and its surroundings for any signs of physical damage, loose connections, or abnormal operating conditions. Look for signs of overheating, dust buildup, or moisture intrusion.
• Make sure the area around the drive is clean and free of dust, dirt, and debris. Excessive dust buildup can cause overheating and shorten the life of electronic components.
• Check if the cooling fans are working and not blocked. Proper ventilation is critical to drive thermal management.
• Periodically inspect control wiring for signs of wear, loose connections, or damaged cables. Faulty wiring can lead to unpredictable behavior and errors.
• Stay up to date with the latest firmware releases from Schneider Electric. Periodically check for updates and, if necessary, update your drive's firmware to take advantage of bug fixes and performance improvements.
• Check load conditions regularly. Abnormal load conditions such as frequent high torque demands or excessive motor currents can cause premature drive wear.
• The Altivar 71 drive maintains fault and error records in its internal memory. Review these logs periodically to identify recurring issues or anomalies.
• Take steps to reduce electrical noise in the installation. Noise can cause erratic behavior and false alarms.
• Back up drive parameters and settings regularly. A backup can speed up the recovery process in unexpected errors or failures.
• Ensure that the personnel responsible for the operation and maintenance of the drive are appropriately trained. Familiarize them with product documentation and troubleshooting procedures.
• In mission-critical applications, consider implementing redundancy by installing redundant drives or a redundant management system to ensure business continuity in the event of a drive failure.
• Install surge protectors to protect the drive from power surges and transients.
• Establish a regular maintenance schedule depending on the operating conditions and drive use. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for maintenance intervals.

Diagnostic Tips for Altivar 71 Drives

For now, we would like to give you some tips on how to diagnose Altivar 71 fault codes.

• Check display.
• Review the error logs.
• Check the power supply.
• Inspect wiring and connections.
• Analysis of engine parameters.
• Study the behavior of the engine.
• Check thermal conditions.
• Study the environmental conditions.
• Review the parameter settings.
• Check current and voltage.
• Use diagnostic software.
• Check the connection status.
• Check the firmware version of the drive.
• Perform test runs.
• Please refer to the User's Guide.