Siemens VFD Fault Codes: MICROMASTER & SINAMICS Explained
"Siemens VFD fault codes" actually means two different code systems, because two drive generations are everywhere in the field: the legacy MICROMASTER family (F00xx codes) and the current SINAMICS family (five-digit codes like F30001, plus A-prefixed alarms). This page decodes the common members of both.
MICROMASTER 420/430/440 — F00xx codes
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| Code | Name | What it means | What to check first |
|---|---|---|---|
| F0001 | Overcurrent | Output current exceeded the trip threshold | Short/ground fault in cable or motor; accel too fast; motor data wrong |
| F0002 | Overvoltage | DC bus voltage exceeded the limit | Regen on decel — lengthen ramp-down or add braking; check line |
| F0003 | Undervoltage | DC bus fell below the limit | Supply dip or phase loss — check the incoming line |
| F0004 | Inverter Overtemp | Drive heatsink over temperature | Fan, dust, enclosure ventilation, ambient |
| F0005 | Inverter I²t | Drive thermal overload from sustained excess load | Check drive sizing vs actual duty |
| F0011 | Motor Overtemp | Motor thermal model (or sensor) tripped | Verify motor data parameters; find the overload; check motor cooling |
| F0041 | Motor Data ID Fail | Automatic motor-data identification failed | Check motor wiring and nameplate entries; motor must be appropriate size for the drive |
| F0070 | CB Setpoint Fault | Setpoint lost from the communication board | Check fieldbus wiring/master; review telegram configuration |
| F0072 | USS Setpoint Fault | Setpoint lost on the USS serial link | Check the serial link and master polling |
| F0085 | External Fault | A digital input configured as external fault is active | Check the device wired to that input |
SINAMICS (G120 family and relatives) — F3xxxx codes
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| Code | Name | What it means | What to check first |
|---|---|---|---|
| F30001 | Overcurrent | Output current exceeded the trip threshold | Cable/motor short, ground fault, wrong motor data, aggressive ramps |
| F30002 | Overvoltage | DC link voltage exceeded the limit | Decel too fast for the inertia — extend ramp or add braking |
| F30003 | Undervoltage | DC link below limit | Line sag/phase loss — verify supply |
| F30004 | Converter Overtemp | Power-unit heatsink over temperature | Cooling path: fan, fins, enclosure, ambient |
| F30005 | I²t Overload | Power unit thermally overloaded by sustained load | Drive sizing vs real duty cycle |
| F30021 | Ground Fault | Ground fault detected on the output | Insulation-test motor and cable |
Faults vs alarms on SINAMICS
SINAMICS distinguishes F (fault) — the drive trips and must be acknowledged — from A (alarm) — a warning that displays while the drive keeps running. An A-code is the drive giving you time to act before the matching F-code stops the line; treat recurring alarms as scheduled maintenance telling you its own date.
Acknowledging faults
After fixing the cause: acknowledge from the operator panel (BOP/IOP), a digital input configured for acknowledge, the fieldbus (PROFINET/PROFIBUS telegram bit), or a power cycle. Both families keep a fault history — on recurring problems, the history plus a timestamp pattern is worth more than any single code.
The universal drive-fault logic
Notice how Siemens' list rhymes with Rockwell's and Yaskawa's: overcurrent, over/undervoltage, overtemperature, overload, ground fault, comm loss. Every VFD is the same rectifier → DC bus → inverter machine, so every VFD fails in the same six ways — learn the physics once and every brand's fault list becomes readable.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between F and A codes on Siemens drives?
F codes are faults — the drive trips and must be acknowledged after the cause is fixed. A codes are alarms — warnings shown while the drive keeps running, often the early form of a coming fault.
What does F0002 / F30002 mean on a Siemens drive?
DC-link overvoltage in both families — classically caused by decelerating a high-inertia load too quickly, which regenerates energy into the bus. Extend the ramp-down time or add braking capacity.
Where do I find the full Siemens fault list for my drive?
In the List Manual for your exact model and firmware (each SINAMICS family has one, free on Siemens\u2019 support portal). Fault lists are model-specific — this page covers the common shared codes.
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