Diagnostic workflow

Schneider ATV61 / ATV71 OSF and USF DC-Link Diagnostic Workflow

Entry symptom: ATV61/ATV71 reports OSF overvoltage or USF undervoltage during power-up, line transition, run, load change, stop or deceleration.

Step-by-step diagnostic workflow12 min read

Scope of this technical record

A field-to-bench workflow for ATV61 / ATV71 OSF and USF cases that keeps high DC-bus voltage, low DC-bus voltage, input measurement, braking evidence and precharge/DC-link repair boundaries separate.

Safety boundary

The workflow crosses hazardous input and DC-link boundaries. Use qualified live measurement practices, isolate before internal inspection and verify discharge before any contact with the DC-link, brake or power-board area.

OSF / USF voltage workflow route

1Preserve fault
2Measure input
3Split high/low bus
4Follow branch
5Repair boundary

The workflow keeps high-bus and low-bus cases on separate service routes.

ATV61 / ATV71 OSF USF workflow image

Schneider ATV61 ATV71 OSF USF workflow preserving first fault measuring input and splitting high and low DC bus paths
The workflow image keeps OSF and USF on separate voltage branches.

Voltage workflow outcome matrix

The workflow must end with a field correction, braking/ramp action, precharge/DC-link repair case or replacement decision.

Evidence outcomeNext actionAvoid
High line or charging OSFCorrect supply or voltage-class issueBrake-chopper replacement
Regenerative OSFAdjust ramp/brake route and verify dutyControl-board replacement
USF with stable input but abnormal busPrepare precharge/DC-link repair evidenceRepeated power cycling

Step 1 — preserve the first event before reset

Record the first fault in the queue, the state of the machine and the exact timing. The same OSF code has different meaning at capacitor charging, idle, deceleration or after a power transfer. The same USF code has different meaning at power-up, after run command, during a line-contactor transition or during a facility voltage sag.

  • Photograph the display or keypad record before reset
  • Record power-up, enable, acceleration, steady load, deceleration or line transfer timing
  • Record whether the motor was connected and whether the machine was returning energy

Step 2 — measure the input at the drive, not only upstream

Measure line-to-line voltage at L1/L2/L3 on the drive side of the disconnect and contactor under the relevant condition. A healthy upstream panel reading can still become a USF at the drive if a fuse, contactor pole, terminal or line reactor path is weak. A high or unstable line condition can also contribute to OSF at power-up or idle.

Step 3 — split OSF and USF into opposite routes

If the bus is high, follow the OSF route: line level, charging state, regenerated energy, deceleration ramp, brake resistor, chopper and bus feedback. If the bus is low, follow the USF route: line supply, fuses, contactor, precharge, rectifier, capacitor bank and bus measurement. Do not merge the two into one vague supply fault.

Workflow branch decision

BranchContinue withStop or escalate when
OSFLine high, charging state, regeneration, brake pathBrake resistor overheats, load cannot be controlled, bus feedback is inconsistent
USFInput phases, fuses, contactor, precharge, DC linkInput is stable but bus collapses or precharge evidence is abnormal
IntermittentPlant voltage trend and event correlationThe fault follows load starts, generator transfer or contactor changes

Step 4 — define the repair boundary

The repair boundary is reached when field evidence no longer explains the event. For OSF, that means line and braking evidence are known and the remaining suspicion is bus sensing, chopper command or internal DC-link hardware. For USF, that means line measurements are stable and the remaining suspicion is precharge, rectifier, capacitors or bus feedback.

Step 5 — prepare a voltage-fault evidence package

A good voltage-fault package prevents the case from being routed to the wrong board. It includes type code, voltage class, first event, line measurements at the drive, DC-bus evidence where safe, ramp/brake information for OSF, input/precharge information for USF and any previous repair history.

Field record checklist

  • First event before reset
  • Line voltage at the drive
  • DC-bus evidence
  • OSF brake/regeneration branch
  • USF input/precharge branch
  • Repair boundary evidence

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.

Linked records

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 →