Applicable Systems
AC500
AC590
ACS580
ACS880
Symptoms
The drive trips. The display shows F0013 indicating an earth (ground) fault. The drive has detected leakage current from an output phase to ground, indicating an insulation failure.
Possible Causes
- Motor cable insulation failure causing a phase-to-ground short
- Motor winding insulation failure to ground
- Water or moisture in the motor or junction box
- Degraded cable insulation due to heat or age
Troubleshooting Steps
- Step 1: Disconnect the motor cable from the drive and megger the cable
Cable insulation resistance is in the megohm range - Step 2: Megger the motor windings to ground
Motor insulation resistance is within acceptable limits (>1 megohm) - Step 3: Inspect motor junction box and cable glands for moisture
Junction box is dry and properly sealed - Step 4: Replace any cables or motors with failed insulation
System operates without ground faults after replacement
How to Reset
To reset: 1) Fix the insulation failure (replace cable or motor). 2) Press RESET. Caution: Ground faults can be fire hazards. Do not reset repeatedly without fixing the root cause. Investigate all motor cables and the motor itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: How do I test motor insulation with a megger?
Disconnect the motor from the drive and all other wiring. Use a megohmmeter at 500V (for 400V motors) to measure from each winding terminal to the motor frame. Readings should be above 1 megohm, preferably above 10 megohm.
- Q: What causes motor insulation failure?
Heat, moisture, chemical exposure, voltage spikes from drive switching, age, and mechanical damage are common causes of motor winding insulation degradation.
Source: ABB ACS880 Firmware Manual, 2023
Category: PLC & VFD