RepairXpert Industrial Automation

VFD Heatsink Overtemperature

VFD-OH1

Drive heatsink temperature exceeded safe limit. Internal thermal protection activated to prevent component damage.

medium vfd conveyor packaging palletizer
vfd overtemperature heatsink cooling fan

Probable Causes (ranked)

Fix Steps

  1. 1 Check cooling fan operation — spin by hand, verify power to fan
  2. 2 Clean heatsink fins with compressed air — blow from inside out
  3. 3 Verify ambient temp is within drive spec (typically 40°C/104°F max)
  4. 4 Check motor current vs drive rating — derate if ambient >40°C
  5. 5 Ensure minimum clearances: typically 6" top/bottom, 2" sides
  6. 6 Replace fan if bearings are noisy or rotation is sluggish
  7. 7 If in enclosed panel, add cabinet cooling fan or A/C unit

Field Trick

Hold your hand 6 inches from the heatsink exhaust. If you can't feel airflow, the fan is dead or blocked. #1 cause of VFD overtemp.

Suggested Replacement Parts

Parts matched to fault category: Vfd Drive

Allen-Bradley PowerFlex 525 AC Drive 1HP P/N: 25B-D2P3N114 1HP, 480V, 3-phase, built-in EtherNet/IP, EMC filter
ABB ACS580 General Purpose Drive 2HP P/N: ACS580-01-05A7-4 2HP, 480V, built-in safe torque off, adaptive programming
GS20 AC Drive 1HP (Budget Option) P/N: GS20-20P5 1HP, 230V, sensorless vector, compact size — good replacement for testing

Prices are estimates. Verify part numbers match your equipment before ordering.

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