Troubleshooting F73 Fault on PowerFlex 525 Drives: How to Handle Short-Term Communication Losses?

Question:

Good morning! I recently completed a project involving multiple PowerFlex 525 drives. Lately, I have been encountering a recurring issue with a F 73 Fault (EN Net Loss). Despite using shielded Ethernet cables and running them outside of the panel wireway to avoid interference from the 480 vac, all 16 frequency drives are faulting out with F73, except for one. I am curious as to why this particular drive seems unaffected. In addition to understanding the cause of this issue, I am also seeking information on whether there is a parameter that can be adjusted to overlook temporary communication losses. Could anyone provide insight on a parameter that can help navigate through short-term communication disruptions? Your advice on this matter would be highly appreciated.

Top Replies

After conducting some research in the manual, I have identified Parameter C 143 (EN Flt Actn) as potentially crucial for maintaining communication stability. By selecting the option to "Hold Last" instead of "Fault," it appears that this could be the only adjustment needed. Can this setting be modified on the go, during operation? Is it typical to experience brief disruptions in Ethernet communication within manufacturing environments? What is the standard practice for configuring C143? Thank you for your ongoing support and guidance.

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I consistently program C143 and C144 to "1" and rarely encounter the F073 fault, typically occurring when the controller switches out of run mode or undergoes a power cycle.

If I set the values of Rupej to 1, will they stop running? I actually want them to continue running. Is there a way I can monitor them using a timer? Within my Controller Tags (specifically in Drive Inputs), I noticed the presence of Comm Freq Cnt and Comm Logic Cnt. Can these be utilized for communication monitoring?

Good morning! It sounds like you've done a thorough job with the wiring and shielding, so it’s odd that only one drive is unaffected by the F73 fault. Sometimes, the physical placement of the drives can make a difference, like if that one has better grounding or is simply in a quieter electromagnetic zone. As for the parameter adjustments, you might want to look into the “Connection Timeout” settings in the control parameters, which can help with short-term communication disruptions. Adjusting these parameters may allow your drives to handle brief disconnects without faulting out. Good luck, and I hope one of those adjustments helps stabilize the system!

Good morning! It sounds like you've done a thorough job with the installation and are really digging into the nuances of the PowerFlex drives. The F73 Fault can be tricky, especially when most of the drives are experiencing it while one remains unaffected. It's possible that the unaffected drive has a better grounding or is in a location with less electrical noise. Regarding communication disruptions, you might want to check the "Comms Timeout" setting—this parameter can often be adjusted to allow for brief communication losses without triggering a fault. Also, double-check your network topology; sometimes, specific configurations can lead to inconsistencies like this. I hope that helps!

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

FAQ: 1. What does the F73 Fault (EN Net Loss) on PowerFlex 525 drives indicate?

Answer: Answer: The F73 Fault (EN Net Loss) indicates a communication loss with the Ethernet network.

FAQ: 2. How can I prevent F73 Faults on PowerFlex 525 drives?

Answer: Answer: To prevent F73 Faults, ensure you are using shielded Ethernet cables and routing them away from sources of interference, such as 480 vac.

FAQ: 3. Why might only one out of multiple PowerFlex 525 drives remain unaffected by the F73 Fault?

Answer: Answer: The drive that remains unaffected may have better communication stability due to factors like cable routing, shielding, or network configuration.

FAQ: 4. Is there a parameter that can be adjusted to handle short-term communication losses on PowerFlex 525 drives?

Answer: Answer: It is recommended to check the drive's parameters for settings related to communication loss handling or fault tolerance to manage temporary disruptions effectively.

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