IndustrialDriveDataDrive Board & Diagnostic Database
Danfoss fault record

Alarm 14: Earth Fault on Motor Cable or Drive-Side Current Feedback

The drive trips with Alarm 14 during start, immediately after reset, with the motor connected, or even when the motor has been disconnected for testing.

Fault route11 min read

Scope of this technical record

Alarm 14 route for VLT 2800 / 2900 cases where motor/cable earth fault must be separated from drive-side current-sensor or feedback evidence.

Safety boundary

Isolate supply and disconnect motor/cable from the drive before insulation tests. Never megger through inverter electronics.

VLT 2800 Alarm 14 route

1Motor connected?
→
2Cable / motor
→
3No-motor current
→
4Current sensor
→
5Board boundary

Alarm 14 moves inward only after the motor and cable boundary is proven.

VLT 2800 Alarm 14 route

Danfoss VLT 2800 Alarm 14 earth fault route motor cable no motor current feedback board
Alarm 14 stays on motor and cable evidence before current-feedback conclusions.

Alarm 14 must prove the external boundary first

An earth fault usually belongs to the cable or motor until proven otherwise. Moisture, damaged insulation, terminal-box contamination, shield routing and process movement can all create a trip that looks like a drive fault from the keypad.

The important service split is what happens with the motor disconnected. If the drive still trips or shows current with no motor, the case moves inward toward current sensor or feedback evidence.

Alarm 14 separation

EvidenceInterpretationNext route
Trips only with motor connectedMotor/cable path remains first suspectInspect and insulation-test external output path
Trips with motor disconnectedDrive-side feedback or sensing may be involvedCurrent-sensor / power-board evidence
No-motor current is near zeroDrive-side current feedback is less likelyReconnect after motor/cable proof
No-motor current remains presentCurrent sensor / feedback zero may be wrongDo not continue load tests
Manual initialization consideredParameter loss riskBack up settings and document before use

Field record checklist

  • Trip with motor connected
  • Trip with motor disconnected
  • Displayed current with no motor
  • Motor insulation
  • Cable insulation
  • Shield / PE route
  • Terminal box condition
  • Parameter backup

Technical basis and reference documents

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

Danfoss service tips for VLT alarm boundariesDanfoss

Confirms Alarm 13 overcurrent, Alarm 14 earth fault, Alarm 16 current short circuit, input-phase and DC-link alarm boundaries used to structure the first service routes.

VLT 2800 Series instruction manualDanfoss

Documents VLT 2800 warning and alarm text including Alarm 13 peak current, Alarm 14 ground fault, Alarm 15 switch-mode supply and Alarm 16 short-circuit cautions.

Danfoss earth-fault service notesDanfoss

Provides practical Alarm 14 separation between motor/cabling evidence and drive-side current-sensor evidence, including no-motor current observations and manual-initialization caution.

Diagnostic workflow

Workflow
Danfoss VLT 2800 Alarm 13 / Alarm 14 Output-Fault Isolation Workflow

Alarm 13 overcurrent or Alarm 14 earth fault on a VLT 2800 / 2900 compact drive during start, ramp, run or bench test.

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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 →