Commissioning & Troubleshooting

VFD / Motor System Troubleshooting

Field troubleshooting, startup, and programming for ABB, Danfoss, Eaton, Allen-Bradley, Toshiba, and Siemens variable frequency drives and the motors they run. Faults isolated, corrected, and verified.

Request a Quote

Call (321) 550-1192

Scope

Drives, motors & control integration

Deliverable

Verified parameters & documented findings

Standards

ANSI/NETA MTS · IEEE 43

VFD / Motor System Troubleshooting – NewEra Testing

Service Overview

Diagnose the drive, the motor, and everything between.

Nuisance trips, overvoltage faults, erratic speed control, and motor overheating can originate anywhere in the system. NewEra Testing troubleshoots the complete drive system: incoming power, drive parameters and I/O, communications, output cabling, and the motor itself. We correct programming and reconfigure legacy equipment. Every change is recorded, and operation is verified before the drive returns to service.

Equipment covered

Low-voltage AC variable frequency drives

Low- and medium-voltage induction motors

Motor control centers and starters

Drive bypass and isolation contactors

Line reactors and harmonic filters

Output reactors and dV/dt filters

Motor protection relays

PLC and network-connected drives

Pump, fan, and conveyor systems

Legacy drives needing reconfiguration

Testing & Capabilities

What we test across the drive system

Every stage of the power and control path is checked, from incoming supply to motor windings, until the fault is confirmed and cleared.

Drive Fault Diagnostics

Review of drive fault history and trip logs, correlated with operating conditions to isolate overcurrent, overvoltage, undervoltage, and ground-fault trips.

Drive Fault Diagnostics

Review of drive fault history and trip logs, correlated with operating conditions to isolate overcurrent, overvoltage, undervoltage, and ground-fault trips.

Parameter & Programming Correction

Verification and correction of speed references, acceleration and deceleration ramps, motor nameplate data, current limits, and fault response logic.

Parameter & Programming Correction

Verification and correction of speed references, acceleration and deceleration ramps, motor nameplate data, current limits, and fault response logic.

Control I/O & Communications

Analog and digital I/O checks, start/stop and permissive logic, and communication protocol diagnostics between the drive and the plant control system.

Control I/O & Communications

Analog and digital I/O checks, start/stop and permissive logic, and communication protocol diagnostics between the drive and the plant control system.

Power Quality Measurements

Input voltage, current, and harmonic measurements plus output current balance checks to identify supply imbalance, voltage sags, and distortion affecting the drive.

Power Quality Measurements

Input voltage, current, and harmonic measurements plus output current balance checks to identify supply imbalance, voltage sags, and distortion affecting the drive.

Motor Insulation & Winding Tests

Insulation resistance and polarization index per IEEE 43, winding resistance balance, and output cable checks to locate motor-side faults.

Motor Insulation & Winding Tests

Insulation resistance and polarization index per IEEE 43, winding resistance balance, and output cable checks to locate motor-side faults.

Motor Protection Verification

Secondary injection of motor protection elements for overload, phase imbalance, stall, and ground fault, confirming operation against the issued settings.

Motor Protection Verification

Secondary injection of motor protection elements for overload, phase imbalance, stall, and ground fault, confirming operation against the issued settings.

Applicable Standards

Performed to recognized industry standards.

ANSI/NETA MTS

Maintenance Testing Specifications for Electrical Power Equipment and Systems

IEEE 43

Recommended Practice for Testing Insulation Resistance of Electric Machinery

NFPA 70E

Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace

From the Field

Methodology

How every job runs.

Scope & Review

We review drawings, one-lines, and the settings issued by the engineer of record or client before mobilizing.

Scope & Review

We review drawings, one-lines, and the settings issued by the engineer of record or client before mobilizing.

Safe Mobilization

Job briefing, hazard awareness, arc flash precautions, and proper PPE are in place before any test begins.

Safe Mobilization

Job briefing, hazard awareness, arc flash precautions, and proper PPE are in place before any test begins.

Test & Verify

Relay settings are applied and verified; equipment is tested against ANSI/NETA and manufacturer acceptance criteria.

Test & Verify

Relay settings are applied and verified; equipment is tested against ANSI/NETA and manufacturer acceptance criteria.

Document & Deliver

Detailed technical documentation records results, as-left settings, and deficiencies — ready for your records and the next test cycle.

Document & Deliver

Detailed technical documentation records results, as-left settings, and deficiencies — ready for your records and the next test cycle.

Related Services

Related services

All Services

Troubleshooting & Fault Analysis

Field troubleshooting and fault event analysis for protection, control, and power distribution systems. We isolate root causes, verify corrections, and document every finding.

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Commissioning & Acceptance Testing

ANSI/NETA ATS acceptance testing and end-to-end commissioning of electrical power and protection systems, verifying equipment, wiring, settings, and trip paths before first energization.

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Electrical Maintenance Testing

Scheduled field testing of switchgear, breakers, transformers, cable, and relays that trends equipment condition, helps prevent unplanned outages, and supports NFPA 70B and ANSI/NETA MTS programs.

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FAQs

Answers to common questions

Which drive manufacturers do you support?

We work on drives from ABB, Danfoss, Eaton, Allen-Bradley, Toshiba, and Siemens, covering startup, commissioning, programming, and field troubleshooting. Ask about other platforms when you call so we can confirm support before dispatch.

Our drive keeps tripping on overcurrent. Is it the drive or the motor?

It can be either, or neither. Common causes include aggressive acceleration ramps, incorrect motor data, mechanical binding, damaged output cable, and degraded motor insulation. We test each in sequence to confirm the actual cause before any part is replaced.

Can you reprogram or reconfigure a legacy drive?

Yes. We reconfigure legacy equipment and apply custom programming, including speed references, ramp profiles, fault response logic, I/O configuration, and communication setup. Existing parameters are recorded before changes, and every change is documented.

Is VFD troubleshooting performed with the equipment energized?

Some measurements are taken energized. Insulation and winding tests are done de-energized, with motor leads disconnected from the drive. Our field teams work in compliance with OSHA 10, NFPA 70, and MSHA, with arc flash awareness, proper PPE, and site lockout/tagout.

Which drive manufacturers do you support?

Our drive keeps tripping on overcurrent. Is it the drive or the motor?

Can you reprogram or reconfigure a legacy drive?

Is VFD troubleshooting performed with the equipment energized?

Request a Quote

Schedule testing, commissioning, or emergency field support.

Share your scope and schedule — a field service technician is dispatched on request. Call (321) 550-1192 or email nelson@neweratesting.com. Hours 7:00 am – 7:00 pm.

Request a Quote

Call (321) 550-1192

nelson@neweratesting.com

Switchgear lineup with protective relays and control devices

Request a Quote

Schedule testing, commissioning, or emergency field support.

Share your scope and schedule — a field service technician is dispatched on request. Call (321) 550-1192 or email nelson@neweratesting.com. Hours 7:00 am – 7:00 pm.

Request a Quote

Call (321) 550-1192

nelson@neweratesting.com

Request a Quote

Schedule testing, commissioning, or emergency field support.

Share your scope and schedule — a field service technician is dispatched on request. Call (321) 550-1192 or email nelson@neweratesting.com. Hours 7:00 am – 7:00 pm.

Request a Quote

Call (321) 550-1192

nelson@neweratesting.com