Greetings, In our facility, we have multiple Yaskawa GA800 drives installed and connected via Ethernet, all of which are functioning properly. However, we are encountering an intermittent bUS Option Communication Error. Despite programming the drives to only trigger an alarm instead of faulting out, we are concerned about losing protection against a genuine communication issue. Yaskawa attributes this error to our use of unshielded Cat 5e cables, but we maintain a clean installation environment, and our numerous Allen Bradley VFDs have no issues with communication. The Ethernet cables link a Controllogix PLC Ethernet module to an N-Tron switch and then distribute to multiple VFDs. We suspect there may be timing discrepancies within the N-Tron switches causing this issue. Have you encountered a similar problem and found a resolution? It seems unusual for Yaskawa drives to be sensitive to noise from unshielded Cat5e cables, considering their widespread use in industrial settings.
Have you identified the root cause of the random bus error occurring in your system? We are experiencing the same issue where everything seems to be working fine, but periodically encounters a bus error. Despite our efforts, pinpointing the source of the problem has proven difficult.
When it comes to unshielded fieldbus cables, all bets are off - especially with Ethernet connections. I encountered a similar issue recently when the machine builder disregarded the cabling specifications. As a result, the CIP Safety signals were disrupted, causing the entire cell to trigger an emergency stop due to communication errors. This emphasizes the critical importance of adhering to proper cabling standards to prevent costly downtime and safety compromises.
Is the screen cable connected to both the VFD chassis and Ethernet switch chassis?
A commonly chosen option for properly shielding Ethernet cables is the STP type, which features metal ends.
I can definitely relate to your situation! We’ve had our share of communication issues with various VFDs and found that sometimes the environment plays a big role, even if it looks clean on the surface. It’s interesting that Yaskawa points to the unshielded Cat 5e cables, as I’ve seen other brands handle those just fine. Have you tried testing your network with different cables, or maybe isolating the VFDs in question to see if the problems persist? Also, if you suspect the N-Tron switches, it could be worthwhile to check their firmware or even consider a short-term swap with a different model to compare performance. Sometimes it's a combination of factors that leads to these glitches!
✅ Work Order Management
✅ Asset Tracking
✅ Preventive Maintenance
✅ Inspection Report
We have received your information. We will share Schedule Demo details on your Mail Id.
Answer: 1. Why am I experiencing bUS Option Communication Errors with my Yaskawa GA800 drives? - The bUS Option Communication Error may be attributed to the use of unshielded Cat 5e cables, which Yaskawa suggests can cause communication issues.
Answer: - Yes, switching to shielded Cat 5e cables may help mitigate the communication errors, as unshielded cables can introduce noise that affects communication reliability.
Answer: - Timing discrepancies within N-Tron switches can potentially cause communication issues, leading to bUS Option Communication Errors with Yaskawa GA800 drives.
Join hundreds of satisfied customers who have transformed their maintenance processes.
Sign up today and start optimizing your workflow.