ingersoll rand VFD critical fault - solution
ingersoll rand VFD critical fault - solution
(OP)
I have an ingersoll rand 75hp, 480V air compressor. The utility that serves my site constanly has voltage drops that engage the critical fault 16 in my vfd. The problem with the critical fault is it requires a human to manually reset the system to restart, but a typical power outage does not require human interaction. The critical fault 16 is a DC undervoltage on the VFD. The ingersoll rand warranty is irrelevant, because this shutdown costs more than the compressor.
Porposed solution. Intercept the critical fault and route it to a relay that disconnects power to the unit - thus protecting it from a voltage sag. The relay will engage a 200A, 480V contactor that will isolate the compressor. Once power has been restored and my voltage sensing relay installed next to the contactor engages it will provide power to my air compressor.
Could I use a motor starter as the contactor?
What about a 200A lighting contactor?
Has anybody worked on these ingersoll rand compressors?
Thanks in advance for your input.
Porposed solution. Intercept the critical fault and route it to a relay that disconnects power to the unit - thus protecting it from a voltage sag. The relay will engage a 200A, 480V contactor that will isolate the compressor. Once power has been restored and my voltage sensing relay installed next to the contactor engages it will provide power to my air compressor.
Could I use a motor starter as the contactor?
What about a 200A lighting contactor?
Has anybody worked on these ingersoll rand compressors?
Thanks in advance for your input.





RE: ingersoll rand VFD critical fault - solution
"Dear future generations: Please accept our apologies. We were rolling drunk on petroleum."
— Kilgore Trout (via Kurt Vonnegut)
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RE: ingersoll rand VFD critical fault - solution
Keith Cress
kcress - http://www.flaminsystems.com
RE: ingersoll rand VFD critical fault - solution
But, if the VFD is of later years - even ten years old - then those options should be availabe. It is often a question of finding the right parameter and setting it correctly. Your local rep should be able to do it if he is any good.
Letting a contactor or breaker disconnect is usually not such a good idea because the time to detect a dip plus reaction time and drop out time of the contactor/breaker usually is more than 30 - 40 milliseconds while most DC link supervisions react in less than a mains cycle (16.7 ms in the US and 20 ms in other parts of the world).
Gunnar Englund
www.gke.org
--------------------------------------
Half full - Half empty? I don't mind. It's what in it that counts.
RE: ingersoll rand VFD critical fault - solution
"Dear future generations: Please accept our apologies. We were rolling drunk on petroleum."
— Kilgore Trout (via Kurt Vonnegut)
For the best use of Eng-Tips, please click here -> FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
RE: ingersoll rand VFD critical fault - solution
RE: ingersoll rand VFD critical fault - solution
Gunnar Englund
www.gke.org
--------------------------------------
Half full - Half empty? I don't mind. It's what in it that counts.
RE: ingersoll rand VFD critical fault - solution
is the VFD the TR200 from Trane? If so, then Alarm 16 is not undervoltage (Alarm 16 is short circuit). Undervoltage is Alarm 8.
If it is the TR200, then there are numerous facilities to overcome the problem described.
TR200 details: htt
If not this drive, I suggest you advise which one then a more detailed reply can be proposed.
RE: ingersoll rand VFD critical fault - solution
on overvoltage.
The spikes were caused by the Utility switching in Capacitor Banks
during peak demand periods to hold up the system voltage.
We solved the problem by fitting properly designed chokes to the line side mains connection of the VFD to filter out the spikes.