User: MN-Guy, Location: Minnesota
Asked on: Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at 2:32 pm EDT
Answered on: Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at 2:33 pm EDT
Question: In my facility we are running a couple AB 2098-DSD-HV220 and 2098-DSD-HV030 (discontinued) servo drives on some of our equipment. There are 2 pieces of equipment that communicate with each other through DB9 cables back to the TRIO controller (then back to the HMI), I'll call them equip EQ A and EQ B. EQ A enclosure contains a 2098-DSD-HV220 (call it D1), 2098-DSD-HV030 (call it D2) and a TRIO controller, EQ B contains a 2098-DSD-HV030 (call is D3).Approximately 2.5 (2-21) weeks ago we had a failure at about 5 months after I installed a replacement D1. This drive has had numerous failures in the past before I was employed here, I believe due to very poor cooling in a very packed enclosure. When this drive failed 2.5 weeks ago it took the TRIO controller with it (or vice versa). Since then here is the sequence of events:2-25 - EQ A- New Drive (D1) and controller installed and programmed. Drive failure within 2-3 hours of initial powerup. Loud POP, cleared fuses.2-27 - EQ A- New Drive (D1) installed and programmed, new large servo motor installed - Drive failure within 15 minutes with only line side connected. Loud POP, cleared fuses(both these drives were purchased from Radwell, I suspect they were surplus drives sitting on a shelf without the capacitors being maintained)3-3 - OEM of EQ A and B onsite - New (D1) installed in EQ A. This drive was ordered from a local AB rep that assured us the drive has been remanufactured to near new and capacitors maintained. OEM rep. goes through all wiring (which I had already done including pinning out all connectors) and finds nothing suspect. Drive has been powered on and off numerous times at this point. Mid-afternoon, equipment seems to be working so we power on EQB to test functionality. 2098-DSD-HV030 is stuck on "8" on the readout. I replace the small servo motor in EQ B, power on equipment and D1 fails again with a loud POP, fuses cleared. No replacement onsite.3-6 - Local AB supply reps/engineers on site to reform capacitors and help with new drive. Install new D1 in EQ A and D3 in EQ B after capacitor reforming and install power fluke power monitoring. All leads and comm cables from D1 and D2 disconnected. D3 in EQ B will not home itself. I suspect programming issue.3-8 - OEM believes 44 pin connector is suspect, overnighting new cable.3-9 - Cable installed, no change. I spliced in alternate conductor on pin for input 2, drive recognizes the input, will not spin motor.3-10 - Install new D3 and programmed. OEM remotes into equipment controller and finds programming issue. Reconnect all leads and can get the motors in EQ A and EQ B to run off of HMI and through laptop but EQ B will not home correctly after moving off home position without a power cycle. Suspect programming error again.3-11 - Working through HMI and PBs, move EQ B to home then move it off of home position, now it will not home. Power cycle, and it homes itself correctly through PB, move it off of home position to test again. Use the PB to home EQ B, hear faint pop and D1 has failed again without clearing fuses.This is where I'm at and have no idea which way to go. If anyone has any advice or has run into something similar let me know.
Okay, this is a complex situation with multiple potential causes. The repetitive failures of D1, especially, point to a serious underlying issue. Here's a structured approach to troubleshooting, combining common causes and diagnostic steps, keeping in mind the specific details you've provided
I. Immediate Priorities (Safety First!):
Lockout/Tagout
Before doing anything, ensure proper LOTO procedures are in place. This equipment is clearly dangerous due to repetitive failures.
Document Everything
Keep a meticulous log of every step you take, every component replaced, every reading, and any observations. This is crucial for analysis.
Voltage
Make sure the voltage being supplied to the servo amps is within spec. If your incoming power is too high or too low it can potentially cause damage.
II. Root Cause Analysis (Focus on D1, but consider systemic issues)
The repeated failures of D1, even with a new motor, make the following the prime suspects:1.
Wiring/Grounding Faults
This is the most likely culprit, especially considering the catastrophic failures (loud pops, fuses blowing/not blowing).
Grounding
Absolutely critical. Verify proper grounding of everything: Drive chassis (to a known good ground point - not just the nearest bolt). Use a multimeter in continuity mode to verify continuity to the main electrical panel ground. Motor frames (to drive chassis ground). Control cabinet (to drive chassis ground). Power supply grounding. Look for ground loops (multiple ground paths causing circulating currents). These can be difficult to find. Disconnect grounds one at a time (carefully!) to see if the situation improves.
Wiring Insulation
Thoroughly inspect all wiring connected to D1 and its associated components. Look for: Pinched wires. Chafed insulation. Wires contacting sharp edges or the cabinet. Damaged insulation inside conduit or cable trays. Check the insulation resistance of the motor windings to ground using a megohmmeter (megger). A low resistance indicates insulation breakdown.
Test wiring while it is under motion. If there is a break in the insulation, that insulation can make contact with the chassis and cause a short during the motion. Connector Issues
Corrosion, loose pins, damaged connectors, or incorrect wiring. The OEM suspecting the 44-pin connector is valid. Even with a new cable, carefully inspect the connector itself. Is it fully seated? Are the pins making good contact?
Wiring Order
Double check that the wiring from the drives to the motors are wired in the right order. If U, V, and W are in the wrong order, the drive could be damaged.2.
Power Supply Issues
Even with power monitoring in place, transient voltage spikes or surges can still damage drives.
Power Quality
While you have the power monitoring, analyze the data thoroughly. Look for: Voltage sags/swells. Harmonic distortion. Transient voltage spikes (even short-duration). Neutral-to-ground voltage. High neutral-to-ground voltage can indicate a problem in the grounding system.
Surge Suppression
Ensure adequate surge suppression is in place at the incoming power to the control cabinet and on the DC bus (if applicable).
Isolation Transformer
Consider installing an isolation transformer for the equipment to isolate it from the main power system. This can help eliminate ground loops and filter out noise.3.
Motor Issues (Even if you replaced it)
Motor Compatibility
Verify that the replacement motor is exactly the correct specification for the drive. Voltage, current, encoder type/resolution, etc.
Motor Cable
Is the motor cable shielded and properly grounded at both ends? Motor cable issues can cause common mode noise and damage drives.
Encoder Feedback
The encoder feedback is critical. If the encoder signal is noisy or intermittent, the drive will not be able to control the motor properly. Check the encoder wiring and connections.
Brake
If the motor has a brake, verify that the brake is functioning correctly and that the brake wiring is correct.4.
Environmental Issues (Cooling)
Airflow
You mentioned poor cooling. Ensure adequate airflow through the enclosure. Verify fans are working properly. Consider adding additional fans or a cooling unit.
Temperature
Monitor the temperature inside the enclosure. Excessive heat will shorten the life of the components.
Cleanliness
Keep the enclosure clean and free of dust and debris. Dust can act as an insulator and reduce cooling efficiency.5.
Programming Issues (Less Likely to Cause Catastrophic Failure, but Possible)
Incorrect Parameters
Review all drive parameters. Ensure they are set correctly for the motor and the application. Incorrect current limits, voltage settings, or feedback parameters can damage the drive.
Regenerative Energy
If the motor is frequently decelerating, excessive regenerative energy can damage the drive if not properly managed. Ensure the regenerative resistor is correctly sized and functioning.
III. Diagnostic Steps (Methodical Approach)
Power-Up Sequence
Disconnect the motor from D1. Power up D1 with only line power connected. Monitor the voltage and current. Does it still fail catastrophically? If so, the problem is likely in the power supply or input circuitry of the drive.2.
DC Bus Voltage
If the drive powers up without the motor connected, measure the DC bus voltage. Is it within the specified range? Is it stable?3.
Motor Disconnect and Check
Disconnect the motor entirely from D1 (power and feedback). Power on D1. Check for any error codes or abnormal behavior. If it runs fine, the problem is likely with the motor, motor wiring, or feedback.
4.
Isolate Components
Systematically disconnect components to isolate the fault. Disconnect the communications cables between the drives and the TRIO controller. Does the problem persist? Disconnect the cables between the TRIO controller and the HMI. Does the problem persist?5.
Oscilloscope Analysis
Use an oscilloscope to analyze the voltage and current waveforms on the motor leads, the DC bus, and the incoming power. Look for noise, spikes, or other anomalies.6.
Resistance Measurements
Use a multimeter to measure the resistance between all pins of the motor connector and the drive connector. Look for shorts or open circuits.
IV. Addressing EQ B Issues (D3)
Home Sensor Verification
Is the home sensor (if used) functioning correctly? Test its operation independently with a multimeter.
Wiring
Just like with D1, meticulously inspect all wiring for D3.
Encoder Feedback
The encoder feedback is critical for homing. Verify the encoder signal is clean and stable.
Programming
Double-check the homing routine in the TRIO controller. Ensure the correct parameters are set and that the routine is executing as expected.
V. Communication Cables Verify that all communication cables are shielded and that the shield is grounded at both ends. Try replacing the cables with new, known-good cables. Use an oscilloscope to check for noise on the communication lines.
VI. Actions to Take Check the brake resistance with a multimeter to make sure it is in the correct range. Check all fuses to make sure they are the correct type and rating. Use an oscilloscope to check the motor leads. This can help you identify problems such as noise or voltage spikes.
Important Considerations
Used/Surplus Drives
You've already learned the lesson about used/surplus drives. These drives are old and likely have weak or failing capacitors.
Professional Help: This is a complex problem. If you're not comfortable with the troubleshooting steps outlined above, consider hiring a qualified electrical engineer or a servo drive specialist.By systematically working through these steps, you should be able to identify the root cause of the repeated drive failures and implement a solution. Good luck! Flag for review