File In/With: – SI0487

New 1121
Equipment YVAA, YVFA, YVAM
Affected:
Service
Information EBMPapst Variable Speed Fan
Troubleshooting Guide

OVERVIEW
This Service Information Letter is to provide information on the troubleshooting of the EBMPapst Variable Speed
Fan. The motors used with these fans have electronics built into the motor so standard motor troubleshooting pro-
cedures may not apply.
CAUTION: Do not attempt to megger the motor. The motor contains electronic components. Attempt-
ing to megger these motors will damage the motor electronic components.

PROCEDURES
1. Identify the motor(s) that are not functioning.
2. Verify that power is applied to the motors.
a. It may be necessary to enable fan contactors through the chiller software depending on unit options (refer
to appropriate service manual for fan wiring schematics).
i. Ensure Unit Switch is in OFF (0) position.
ii. Press SERVICE key. Type 9675 on keypad and press ENTER (Checkmark) key.
iii. Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to scroll through service screens to the OUTPUT displays.
iv. Use RIGHT or LEFT arrow keys to turn ON and OFF the condenser fan outputs and use UP or DOWN
arrow keys to cycle through each condenser fan output. Turn ON “SYS1 COND FAN OUT 1” through
“4” or “SYS2 COND FAN OUT 1” through “4” depending on which system you are testing.
NOTE: Make sure to stay in service menu to keep outputs on. Leaving the service screen
will turn outputs off. Service menu will time out after a period of time. May be necessary
to repeat steps if outputs turn off.

Work on this equipment should only be done by properly trained personnel who are qualified to work on this
type of equipment. Failure to comply with this requirement could expose the worker, the equipment and the building
and its inhabitants to the risk of injury or property damage.
The instructions on this service information letter are written assuming the individual who will perform this work
is a fully trained HVAC & R journeyman or equivalent, certified in refrigerant handling and recovery techniques, and
knowledgeable with regard to electrical lock out/tag out procedures. The individual performing this work should be
aware of and comply with all Johnson Controls, national, state and local safety and environmental regulations while
carrying out this work. Before attempting to work on any equipment, the individual should be thoroughly familiar
with the equipment by reading and understanding the associated service literature applicable to the equipment. If
you do not have this literature, you may obtain it by contacting a Johnson Controls Service Office.
Should there be any question concerning any aspect of the tasks outlined in this bulletin, please consult a
Johnson Controls Service Office prior to attempting the work. Please be aware that this information may be time
sensitive and that Johnson Controls reserves the right to revise this information at any time. Be certain you are
working with the latest information.

Product Technical Support

 SI0487 (1121)

3. Make sure fans are not spinning before inspecting motor. It may be necessary to manually force the fans speed
to zero speed.
a. YVAA/YVFA
i. Ensure Unit Switch is in OFF (0) position.
ii. Press SERVICE key. Type 9675 on keypad and press ENTER (Checkmark) key.
iii. U
 se UP and DOWN arrow keys to scroll through screens till you find Analog signal for System 1 or
System 2 (depending on what motors were replaced). Set output to 0% using keypad to type in percent-
age value and press ENTER key.
NOTE: Make sure to stay in service menu to keep outputs on. Leaving the service screen
will turn outputs off. Service menu will time out after a period of time. May be necessary
to repeat steps if outputs turn off.

b. YVAM
i. Ensure Unit is ready to run.
ii. On OptiView Home screen, press Condenser.
iii. In the Condenser screen, press Fan Control.
iv. Press Set and set the value to 0 using keypad. Press Checkmark to confirm.
4. Check for broken or bent blades, struts or guard grilles. Check for locked rotor conditions due to “rubbing”
between the rotor and its surroundings or foreign objects.
5. Check the status and color of the LED that is visible through the terminal box cover on the top of the motor.
a. If the LED is red or yellow, or blinking, proceed to tables in Step 6.
b. If the LED is not lit, proceed to Step 8.

LED fault light

Figure 1 - TOP OF EBM EC MOTOR

LDxxxxx

2 JOHNSON CONTROLS
SI0487 (1121)

6. Check the tables below for the potential fault code of the motor based on the LED:
Number of
Fault Code (Red LED color) Comments
pulses
1 Phase failure Automatic restart once phase failure is corrected
3 Power module overheated Power cycle required
Internal communications error be-
4 Primary = electronics, Secondary = motor. Power cycle required.
tween primary/secondary controller
6 Motor overheated Power cycle required
7 Hall sensor error Power cycle required
8 Motor blocked Automatic restart after blockage is cleared
9 Speed limit exceeded Automatic restart
11 Rotor position sensor calibration error Power cycle required
13 DC-link undervoltage Automatic restart after undervoltage is cleared

Number of
Fault Code (Yellow LED color) Comments
pulses
1 Current limitation in action Current limited to prevent damage of the electronics
2 Line impedance too high DC link voltage is instable
3 Power limiter in action Derating is active
4 Output stage temperature high Temperature > 105°C
5 Motor temperature high Temperature > 130°C
6 Temperature inside electronics high Temperature > 105°C
7 DC-link voltage low DC-link < 460V
8 Braking mode Error after 20s when motor start was not possible
9 Calibration of rotor position Calibration of rotor position sensor in progress
Actual speed is lower than run moni-
10 Only if set value > 0
toring speed limit
Check wiring
Cable break at analog or PWM input
11 NOTE: This fault code may be present if the command signal to the
for analog set value
motor is 0%. Increase command signal to check if wiring issue.
13 DC-link voltage high DC-link > 850V
15 Line-voltage high U1_peak > 850VDC
16 Shedding function active Shedding function is active and fan is blocked

7. If any of the above fault codes cannot be cleared, replace fan assembly.
8. Deenergize unit and perform lockout/tagout procedures. Verify all power has been removed from unit.
9. Check input fuses to fan motors. Replace fuses if needed.
10. Disconnect wiring from fan motor. Wring out wires to verify no wiring shorts. Replace wiring as needed.
11. Use a standard multimeter to check resistance on motor input terminals L1, L2, L3 between each phase (L1 to
L2, L2 to L3, L3 to L1). Resistance should be greater than 2 ohms.
a. If resistance is less than 2 ohms during any check of motor terminals, replace fan assembly.
b. If resistance is greater than 2 ohms and no wiring shorts are present, secure motor terminal box, remove
lockout/tagout and apply power to motor.
i. Check if LED is red or yellow, or blinking. See tables in Step 6 for fault codes.
ii. If no faults are shown, verify motor is operational.
iii. If LED is not lit and/or fuses continue to fail, or fan is not operational, replace fan assembly.

JOHNSON CONTROLS 3