Input rectifier / DC-link / braking

Schneider ATV61 / ATV71 Input, Precharge, DC-Link and Braking Path

Routes OSF and USF evidence through the full energy path: L1/L2/L3 input, fuses, contactor, rectifier, precharge, DC-link capacitors, PA(+)/PC(-) bus measurement, brake chopper and braking resistor route.

Circuit path — input, precharge, DC link and braking11 min read

Scope of this technical record

Functional path for ATV61 / ATV71 OSF and USF evidence, covering incoming line, fuses, contactor, rectifier, precharge, DC-link capacitors, PA/PC bus measurement, brake chopper and braking resistor route.

Safety boundary

This is a functional evidence map, not an instruction to probe a live DC link without qualification. Use the product manual and site safety procedure; verify discharge before internal DC-link, precharge or braking inspection.

Input / DC-link voltage path

1L1/L2/L3
2Protection
3Precharge
4DC link
5Brake path

The path explains why OSF and USF are opposite symptoms on the same energy route.

ATV61 / ATV71 input DC-link path image

Schneider ATV61 ATV71 input precharge DC link and braking evidence path
The image shows the shared energy route behind OSF and USF.

Input/DC-link path decision matrix

This path determines whether the voltage fault belongs to field supply, charging, storage, braking or internal feedback.

Path areaDecisionEvidence
Input terminalsField supply or protectionMeasured L1/L2/L3 at the drive
Precharge / DC linkCharging and storage pathBus rise, PA/PC measurement and capacitor evidence
Brake pathRegeneration handlingResistor, chopper, wiring and thermal proof

The same energy route creates opposite symptoms

USF and OSF are not unrelated faults. They are opposite failures on the same energy route. A low or collapsing DC link creates USF. A high or rising DC link creates OSF. The useful diagnostic map therefore follows the energy path from the line terminals through charging and storage to braking and bus feedback.

ATV61 / ATV71 energy-path checkpoints

Path areaFault evidenceService implication
Input terminalsLine low, high, missing or unstableField supply problem before internal repair
Fuses / contactorVoltage present upstream but not at driveProtection or switching path issue
Rectifier / prechargeBus fails to rise or rises slowlyCharging path or rectifier boundary
DC-link capacitors / PA-PCBus low, unstable or highStorage or measurement route
Brake chopper / resistorOSF during stopRegeneration and braking route

Input-side evidence for USF

USF evidence starts at the drive terminals. A fuse holder, contactor pole, loose terminal or undersized supply path can create a low bus while upstream voltage appears acceptable. The input path should be measured under the same condition that causes the fault, not only with the machine idle.

  • Line-to-line voltage at L1/L2/L3 under the fault condition
  • Fuse, disconnect and contactor photo evidence
  • Heat marks or loose terminal evidence
  • Precharge sequence and bus-rise evidence where qualified
  • DC-link measurement at PA(+)/PC(-) where qualified

Brake and regeneration evidence for OSF

OSF during deceleration is routed through machine energy first. If the load can return energy faster than the drive can dissipate it, the bus will rise even when the control board is healthy. The brake resistor and chopper route must therefore be documented before internal repair conclusions.

  • Regenerative load type and stopping profile
  • Deceleration ramp and any controlled change made for diagnosis
  • Brake resistor value, rating, wiring and thermal contact state
  • Chopper/braking option identity where visible
  • Bus feedback evidence when line and load evidence conflict

When the path moves to bench repair

The input/DC-link path becomes a bench repair case only after field evidence is reconciled. For USF that means stable measured input with abnormal bus charging or collapse. For OSF that means the line and braking path are not sufficient to explain the high bus. The next evidence then belongs to precharge components, rectifier, capacitor bank, bus sensing, chopper drive or power-board damage.

Field record checklist

  • Input terminal measurement
  • Fuse/contactor condition
  • Precharge evidence
  • DC-bus measurement
  • Brake/resistor evidence
  • Repair boundary photos

Technical basis and reference documents

This is an independent editorial technical reference. Original manufacturer documentation remains controlling for installation, repair and commissioning decisions.

ATV61 / ATV71 OSF overvoltage levelSchneider Electric FAQ FA233615

Used to anchor OSF around DC-bus over-supply detection during capacitor charging and PWM-deactivated states.

USF fault on ATV61 / ATV71Schneider Electric FAQ FA237689

Used to anchor USF around low DC-bus voltage and field measurements on L1/L2/L3 and PA(+)/PC(-).

Causes of USF fault on ATV61 / ATV71Schneider Electric FAQ FA239974

Used to anchor undervoltage thresholds, incoming line checks, monitoring menu comparison and undervoltage-management timing.

Altivar 61 / 71 Programming ManualSchneider Electric technical documentation

Used for family-level fault-management and drive-parameter context; public pages avoid reproducing proprietary tables.

Evidence intake

Turn this record into a qualified service request

A repair decision is much more reliable when the request includes the exact identity of the drive, the first fault evidence and the machine condition when the symptom appeared.

  • Complete drive type code / MLFB or nameplate model
  • Fault code, fault value and first event before reset
  • When the event appears: power-up, enable, ramp, run, decel or stop
  • Motor/cable connected or isolated during the symptom
  • Visible board, option-card, module and connector identifiers
  • Previous repair history, replacement parts and repeat-failure pattern
Prepare request →