Digitax HD M753 EtherCAT Drive Fault Codes (2026) – Troubleshooting guide for the Nidec Digitax HD M753 EtherCAT servo drive. Learn to interpret mnemonic trips, troubleshoot EtherCAT state errors, and use Connect software.
The Nidec Control Techniques Digitax HD M753 is a high-performance servo drive featuring onboard EtherCAT connectivity. Designed for decentralized motion control, it is a staple in high-speed synchronized machinery using Beckhoff, Omron, or other EtherCAT masters. When the M753 identifies an error, it stops the motor and displays a mnemonic trip code—such as OI.AC (Overcurrent) or Enc1 (Encoder 1 Fault).
This 2026 guide provides the diagnostic framework specifically for the M753, focusing on both hardware trips and EtherCAT communication status errors to help you restore high-precision motion synchronization.
Digitax HD M753 Fault Codes Reference Table
Below is the complete reference list of faults for the Digitax HD M753. Since this drive is integrated into EtherCAT networks, many trips may be related to synchronization timing (Sync Manager) or position loop deviations.
| Fault Code and Meaning | Cause and Remedy |
|---|---|
| 217 App Menu Changed | Cause: The customization table for an application menu has changed. The menu that has been changed can be identified by the sub-trip number. Remedy:
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| 11 Autotune 1 | Cause: Position feedback did not change or required speed could not be reached. The drive has tripped during an autotune. Remedy:
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| 12 Autotune 2 | Cause: Position feedback direction incorrect. The drive has tripped during a rotating autotune. Remedy:
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| 13 Autotune 3 | Cause: Measured inertia has exceeded the parameter range or commutation signals changed in wrong direction. The drive has tripped during a rotating autotune or mechanical load measurement test. Remedy:
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| 14 Autotune 4 | Cause: Drive encoder U commutation signal fail. The U commutation signal did not change during a rotating autotune. Remedy:
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| 15 Autotune 5 | Cause: Drive encoder V commutation signal fail. The V commutation signal did not change during a rotating autotune. Remedy:
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| 16 Autotune 6 | Cause: Drive encoder W commutation signal fail. The W commutation signal did not change during a rotating autotune. Remedy:
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| 17 Autotune 7 | Cause: Motor number of poles / position feedback resolution set incorrectly. The motor poles or the position feedback resolution have been set up incorrectly where position feedback is being used. Remedy:
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| 18 Autotune Stopped | Cause: Autotune test stopped before completion. The drive was prevented from completing an autotune test, because either the drive enable or the drive run were removed. Remedy:
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| 19 Brake R Too Hot | Cause: Braking resistor overload timed out (I2t). The Brake R Too Hot indicates that braking resistor overload has timed out. Initiated when Braking Resistor Thermal Accumulator (10.039) reaches 100%. Remedy:
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| 99 CAM | Cause: Advanced motion controller CAM failure. The CAM trip indicates that the advanced motion controller CAM has detected a problem (e.g. Start Index > Size, Table Index error, rate of change exceeded). Remedy:
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| 185 Card Access | Cause: SD Card Write fail. The drive was unable to access the SD Card. File being written may be corrupted or data transfer incomplete. Remedy:
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| 177 Card Boot | Cause: The Menu 0 parameter modification cannot be saved to the SD Card. Pr 11.042 set to Auto/Boot but necessary boot file not created. Remedy:
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| 178 Card Busy | Cause: SD Card cannot be accessed as it is being accessed by an option module. Remedy:
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| 188 Card Compare | Cause: SD Card file/data is different to the one in the drive. A Card Compare trip is initiated if the parameters on the SD Card are different to the drive. Remedy:
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| 179 Card Data Exists | Cause: SD Card data location already contains data. An attempt has been made to store data on an SD Card in a data block which already contains data. Remedy:
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| 187 Card Drive Mode | Cause: SD Card parameter set not compatible with current drive mode. The drive mode in the data block on the SD Card is different from the current drive mode. Remedy:
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| 182 Card Error | Cause: SD Card data structure error. An error has been detected in the data structure on the card (folder structure missing, corrupt file, or duplicate IDs). Remedy:
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| 184 Card Full | Cause: SD Card full. An attempt has been made to create a data block but there is not enough space. Remedy:
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| 183 Card No Data | Cause: SD Card data not found. An attempt has been made to access non-existent file or block. Remedy:
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| 180 Card Option | Cause: Option modules installed are different between source drive and destination drive. Remedy:
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| 175 Card Product | Cause: SD Card data blocks are not compatible with the drive derivative (Drive Derivative or Product Type different). Remedy:
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| 186 Card Rating | Cause: The voltage and / or current rating of the source and destination drives are different. Remedy:
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| 181 Card Read Only | Cause: SD Card has the Read Only bit set. Remedy:
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| 174 Card Slot | Cause: Option module application program transfer has failed. Option module did not respond correctly. Remedy:
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| 35 Control Word | Cause: Trip initiated from the Control Word (06.042) by setting bit 12. Remedy:
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| 225 Current Offset | Cause: Current feedback offset error. The current feedback offset is too large to be trimmed correctly. Remedy:
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| 97 Data Changing | Cause: Drive parameters are being changed. A user action or a file system write is active that is changing the drive parameters and the drive has been commanded to enable. Remedy:
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| 247 Derivative identification error | Cause: There is a problem with the identifier associated with derivative image which customizes the drive. Sub-trip reasons:
Remedy:
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| 248 Derivative Image error | Cause: An error has been detected in the derivative image. Sub-trip reasons:
Remedy:
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| 199 Destination parameter write conflict | Cause: Destination parameters of two or more functions (Menus 3, 7, 8, 9, 12 or 14) within the drive are writing to the same parameter. Remedy:
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| 224 Power stage recognition: Unrecognized drive size | Cause: The control PCB has not recognized the drive size of the power circuit to which it is connected. Remedy:
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| 31 EEPROM Fail (Default parameters loaded) | Cause: Default parameters have been loaded. The exact cause is identified by the sub-trip number:
Remedy:
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| 189 Encoder 1: Drive position feedback interface power supply overload | Cause: The drive encoder power supply has been overloaded (Terminals 13 & 14). Remedy:
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| 190 Encoder 2: Drive encoder (Feedback) wire break | Cause: Wire break detected on the 15 way D-type connector. Sub-trip reasons:
Remedy:
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| 191 Encoder 3: Phase offset incorrect while running | Cause: Incorrect UVW phase angle detected while running (RFC-S mode only) or SINCOS phase error. Sub-trip 1: Interface 1 | Sub-trip 2: Interface 2. Remedy:
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| 192 Encoder 4: Feedback device comms failure | Cause: Encoder communications timed out or message transfer time is too long. Can also be caused by wire break. Sub-trip 1: Interface 1 | Sub-trip 2: Interface 2. Remedy:
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| 193 Encoder 5: Checksum or CRC error | Cause: Checksum or CRC error, or the SSI encoder is not ready. Can also indicate a wire break to a comms based encoder. Sub-trip 1: Interface 1 | Sub-trip 2: Interface 2. Remedy:
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| 194 Encoder 6: Encoder has indicated an error | Cause: Encoder indicated an error or power supply failed to an SSI encoder. Sub-trip 1: Interface 1 | Sub-trip 2: Interface 2. Remedy:
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| 195 Encoder 7: Set-up parameters for position feedback device have changed | Cause: The set-up parameters for position feedback device has changed. Sub-trip 1: Interface 1 | Sub-trip 2: Interface 2. Remedy:
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| 196 Encoder 8: Position feedback interface has timed out | Cause: Position feedback interface communications time exceeds 250 μs. Sub-trip 1: Interface 1 | Sub-trip 2: Interface 2. Remedy:
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| 197 Encoder 9: Position feedback is selected from a option module slot which does not have a feedback option module installed | Cause: Position feedback source selected in Pr 03.026 (or Pr 21.021) is not valid. Remedy:
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| 162 Encoder 12: Encoder could not be identified during auto-configuration | Cause: The drive is communicating with the encoder but the encoder type is not recognized. Sub-trip 1: Interface 1 | Sub-trip 2: Interface 2. Remedy:
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| 163 Encoder 13: Data read from the encoder is out of range during auto-configuration | Cause: Data read from the encoder was out of the range. The tens in the sub-trip number indicate the interface number. Sub-trip reasons:
Remedy:
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| 6 External Trip | Cause: An External Trip has occurred. Can be initiated by writing 6 in Pr 10.038. Sub-trip reasons:
Remedy:
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| HF01 Data processing error: CPU address error | Cause: A CPU address error has occurred. Control PCB failure. Remedy:
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| HF02 Data processing error: DMAC address error | Cause: A DMAC address error has occurred. Control PCB failure. Remedy:
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| HF03 Data processing error: Illegal instruction | Cause: An illegal instruction has occurred. Control PCB failure. Remedy:
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| HF04 Data processing error: Illegal slot instruction | Cause: An illegal slot instruction has occurred. Control PCB failure. Remedy:
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| HF05 Data processing error: Undefined exception | Cause: An undefined exception error has occurred. Control PCB failure. Remedy:
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| HF06 Data processing error: Reserved exception | Cause: A reserved exception error has occurred. Control PCB failure. Remedy:
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| HF07 Data processing error: Watchdog failure | Cause: A watchdog failure has occurred. Control PCB failure. Remedy:
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| HF08 Data processing error: CPU Interrupt crash | Cause: A CPU interrupt crash has occurred. Control PCB failure. Remedy:
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| HF09 Data processing error: Free store overflow | Cause: A free store overflow has occurred. This trip indicates that the control PCB on the drive has failed. Remedy:
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| HF10 Data processing error: Parameter routing system error | Cause: A Parameter routing system error has occurred. This trip indicates that the control PCB on the drive has failed. Remedy:
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| HF11 Data processing error: Access to EEPROM failed | Cause: Access to the drive EEPROM has failed. This trip indicates that the control PCB on the drive has failed. Remedy:
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| HF12 Data processing error: Main program stack overflow | Cause: The main program stack overflow has occurred (Sub-trips: 1=Background, 2=Timed, 3=Interrupts). This trip indicates that the control PCB on the drive has failed. Remedy:
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| HF13 Data processing error: Firmware incompatible with hardware | Cause: The drive firmware is not compatible with the hardware. The sub-trip number gives the actual ID code of the control board hardware. Remedy:
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| HF14 Data processing error: CPU register bank error | Cause: A CPU register bank error has occurred. This trip indicates that the control PCB on the drive has failed. Remedy:
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| HF15 Data processing error: CPU divide error | Cause: A CPU divide error has occurred. This trip indicates that the control PCB on the drive has failed. Remedy:
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| HF16 Data processing error: RTOS error | Cause: A RTOS error has occurred. This trip indicates that the control PCB on the drive has failed. Remedy:
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| HF17 Data processing error: Clock supplied to control board out of spec | Cause: The clock supplied to the control board logic is out of specification. Remedy:
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| HF18 Data processing error: Internal flash memory has failed | Cause: Internal flash memory failed when writing option module parameter data. (Sub-trip 1: Programming error, 2: Erase setup menus failed, 3: Erase application menus failed). Remedy:
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| HF19 Data processing error: CRC check on the firmware has failed | Cause: The CRC check on the drive firmware has failed. Remedy:
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| HF20 Data processing error: ASIC is not compatible with the hardware | Cause: The ASIC version is not compatible with the drive firmware. Remedy:
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| HF23 to HF25 Hardware fault | Cause: Unspecified hardware fault. Remedy:
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| Inductance (8) Inductance measurement out of range or motor saturation not detected | Cause: Occurs in RFC-S mode. Motor inductances are not suitable for the operation, Ld/Lq ratio/difference is too small, or saturation characteristic cannot be measured. Remedy:
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| I/O Overload (26) Digital output overload | Cause: Total current drawn from 24 V user supply or digital output exceeded limit (>100mA). Remedy:
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| Keypad Mode (34) Keypad removed while in keypad mode | Cause: Drive is in keypad mode and keypad has been removed or disconnected. Remedy:
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| Motor Too Hot (20) Output current overload timed out (I2t) | Cause: Motor thermal overload based on Rated Current and Motor Thermal Time Constant. Drive trips when accumulator reaches 100%. Remedy:
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| Name Plate (176) Electronic nameplate transfer has failed | Cause: Electronic name plate transfer between drive and motor failed (memory space, comms, or checksum). Remedy:
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| OHt Brake (101) Braking IGBT over-temperature | Cause: Braking IGBT over-temperature detected based on software thermal model. Remedy:
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| OHt Control (23) Control stage over temperature | Cause: Control stage over-temperature detected (Control board thermistor or I/O board thermistor). Remedy:
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| OHt dc bus (27) DC bus over temperature | Cause: DC bus component over temperature based on software thermal model. Remedy:
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| OHt Inverter (21) Inverter over temperature based on thermal model | Cause: IGBT junction over-temperature detected. Sub-trip 100: Inverter thermal model; Sub-trip 300: Braking IGBT thermal model. Remedy:
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| OHt dc bus (27) DC bus over temperature | Cause: A DC bus component over-temperature has been detected based on a software thermal model. This includes effects of output current and DC bus ripple. Remedy:
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| OHt Inverter (21) Inverter over temperature based on thermal model | Cause: An IGBT junction over-temperature has been detected based on a software thermal model. Remedy:
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| OHt Power (22) Power stage over temperature | Cause: A power stage over-temperature has been detected via thermistor measurement. Remedy:
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| OI ac (3) Instantaneous output over current detected | Cause: The instantaneous drive output current has exceeded VM_DRIVE_CURRENT[MAX]. Remedy:
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| OI Brake (4) Braking IGBT over current detected | Cause: Over current detected in braking IGBT or braking IGBT protection has been activated (short circuit protection). Remedy:
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| OI dc (109) Power module over current detected from IGBT on state voltage monitoring | Cause: Short circuit protection for the drive output stage has been activated. Remedy:
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| OI Snubber (92) Snubber over-current detected | Cause: An over-current condition has been detected in the rectifier snubber circuit. Remedy:
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| Option Disable (215) Option module does not acknowledge during drive mode changeover | Cause: The option module did not acknowledge to the drive that communications with the drive has been stopped during mode changeover. Remedy:
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| Out Phase Loss (98) Output phase loss detected | Cause: Phase loss has been detected at the drive output (U, V, or W phase disconnected). Remedy:
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| Over Speed (7) Motor speed has exceeded the over speed threshold | Cause: The Output Frequency or Speed Feedback has exceeded the threshold set in Over Speed Threshold (03.008). Remedy:
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| Over Volts (2) DC bus voltage has exceeded the peak or continuous level | Cause: DC bus voltage exceeded VM_DC_VOLTAGE[MAX] or VM_DC_VOLTAGE_SET[MAX] for 15s. Remedy:
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| Phase Loss (32) Supply phase loss | Cause: Input phase loss or large supply imbalance detected. Also detected by monitoring DC bus ripple. Remedy:
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| Phasing Error (198) RFC-S mode phasing failure due to incorrect phase angle | Cause: Phase offset angle in Pr 03.025 is incorrect if position feedback is used. Remedy:
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| Power Comms (90) Communication lost between power, control and rectifier modules | Cause: Communications problem within the power system of the drive. Remedy:
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| Power Data (220) Power system configuration data error | Cause: Error in the configuration data stored in the power system (e.g., CRC error, version mismatch). Remedy:
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| Power Down Save (37) Power down save error | Cause: An error has been detected in the power down save parameters saved in non-volatile memory. Remedy:
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| PSU (5) Internal power supply fault | Cause: One or more internal power supply rails are outside limits or overloaded. Remedy:
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| PSU 24V (9) 24V internal power supply overload | Cause: Total user load (digital outputs and encoder supply) has exceeded the internal 24V limit. Remedy:
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| Resistance (33) Measured resistance has exceeded the parameter range | Cause: Measured motor stator resistance is too high or an attempt to test failed. Maximum allowable resistance exceeded. Remedy:
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| 216 Slot App Menu | Cause: More than one option slot has requested to customize the application menus 18, 19 and 20. The sub-trip number indicates which option slot has been allowed to customize the menus. Remedy:
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| 204, 209, 214 SlotX Different | Cause: The option module in option slot X on the drive is a different type to that installed when parameters were last saved on the drive. The sub-trip number gives the identification code of the module that was originally fitted. Remedy:
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| 202, 207, 212 SlotX Error | Cause: The option module in option slot X on the drive has detected an error. The reason for the error can be identified by the sub-trip number. Remedy:
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| 200, 205, 210 SlotX HF | Cause: The option module in option slot X cannot operate. The possible causes of the trip can be identified by the sub-trip number (e.g., Module category unidentified, insufficient memory, etc.). Remedy:
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| 203, 208, 213 SlotX Not Fitted | Cause: The option module in option slot X on the drive has been removed since the last power up. Remedy:
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| 201, 206, 211 SlotX Watchdog | Cause: The option module installed in Slot X has started the option watchdog function and then failed to service the watchdog correctly. Remedy:
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| 226 Soft Start | Cause: The soft start relay in the drive failed to close or the soft start monitoring circuit has failed. Remedy:
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| 221 Stored HF | Cause: A hardware trip (HF01 – HF20) has occurred and the drive has been power cycled. The sub-trip number identifies the HF trip i.e. stored HF.17. Remedy:
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| 227 Sub-array RAM | Cause: An option module, derivative image or user program image has requested more parameter RAM than is allowed. The RAM allocation is checked in order of resulting sub-trip numbers. Remedy:
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| 218 Temp Feedback | Cause: An internal thermistor has failed. The thermistor location can be identified by the sub-trip number (e.g., Control PCB, Power module, Rectifier). Remedy:
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| 10 Th Brake Res | Cause: Brake resistor over temperature. Hardware based braking resistor thermal monitoring is connected and the resistor is overheating. Remedy:
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| 25 Th Short Circuit | Cause: Motor thermistor short circuit. The motor thermistor connected to the drive is short circuit or low impedance i.e. < 50 Ω. Remedy:
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| 24 Thermistor | Cause: Motor thermistor over-temperature. The motor thermistor connected to the drive has indicated a motor over temperature. Remedy:
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| 110 Undefined | Cause: The drive has tripped and the cause of the trip is Undefined. The power system has generated a trip but did not identify it. Remedy:
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| 249 User Program | Cause: Onboard user program error. An error has been detected in the onboard user program image. The reason can be identified by the sub-trip number (e.g., Divide by zero, Array bounds violation, Invalid ID code). Remedy:
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| 96 User Prog Trip | Cause: Trip generated by an onboard user program using a function call which defines the sub-trip number. Remedy:
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| 36 User Save | Cause: User Save error / not completed. An error has been detected in the user save parameters saved in non-volatile memory (e.g. power removed during save). Remedy:
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| 40-89, 112-159 User Trip | Cause: User generated trip. These trips are not generated by the drive and are to be used by the user to trip the drive through an application program. Remedy:
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| 30 Watchdog | Cause: Control word watchdog has timed out. The control word has been enabled and has timed out. Remedy:
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| Error 1 Programming Error | Cause: There is not enough drive memory requested by all the option modules. Remedy: Power down drive and remove some of the option modules until the message disappears. |
| Error 2 Programming Error | Cause: At least one option module did not acknowledge the reset request. Remedy: Power cycle drive. |
| Error 3 Programming Error | Cause: The boot loader failed to erase the processor flash. Remedy: Power cycle drive and try again. If problem persists, return drive. |
| Error 4 Programming Error | Cause: The boot loader failed to program the processor flash. Remedy: Power cycle drive and try again. If problem persists, return drive. |
| Error 5 Programming Error | Cause: One option module did not initialize correctly. Option module did not set Ready to Run flag. Remedy: Remove faulty option module. |
| Brake Resistor Brake resistor overload | Cause: Braking Resistor Thermal Accumulator (10.039) in the drive has reached 75.0 % of the value at which the drive will trip. Remedy: Check braking resistor sizing and application load. |
| Motor Overload Motor Protection Accumulator High | Cause: Motor Protection Accumulator (04.019) in the drive has reached 75.0 % of the value at which the drive will trip and the load on the drive is > 100 %. Remedy: Reduce motor load or check motor rating parameters. |
| Ind Overload Regen inductor overload | Cause: Inductor Protection Accumulator (04.019) in the drive has reached 75.0 % of the value at which the drive will trip and the load on the drive is > 100 %. Remedy: Check regen inductor sizing and load conditions. |
| Drive Overload Drive over temperature | Cause: Percentage Of Drive Thermal Trip Level (07.036) in the drive is greater than 90 %. Remedy: Check drive cooling, ambient temperature, and load. |
| Auto Tune Autotune active | Cause: The autotune procedure has been initialized and an autotune in progress. Remedy: Wait for autotune to complete. |
| Limit Switch Limit switch active | Cause: Indicates that a limit switch is active and that is causing the motor to be stopped. Remedy: Check system limit switches and machine position. |
How to Read M753 Faults via Connect & EtherCAT Masters
In 2026, the M753 is typically managed via an EtherCAT master. Troubleshooting involves both the drive’s local diagnostics and the network’s state machine.
- Connect Software (via USB or Ethernet): Use Nidec’s Connect software to access the drive’s internal parameters. The Trip Log (Menu 10) stores the last 10 trips with microsecond data-logging, allowing you to see exactly what the torque and speed were when the network lost sync.
- EtherCAT State Machine: If the drive is not tripping but won’t run, check the EtherCAT status LED. The drive must transition through Init, Pre-Op, Safe-Op to reach Op (Operational). Errors in this transition are often logged in Menu 17 (EtherCAT specific parameters).
- Sub-trip Mnemonic: Parameter 10.070 displays a sub-trip string. This is essential for hardware-related trips as it identifies which specific internal module or encoder channel caused the shutdown.
- Distributed Clocks (DC): If you encounter Sync or AL Status errors, use your EtherCAT master’s diagnostic tool (e.g., TwinCAT) to verify the Distributed Clock synchronization between the master and the M753.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the difference between a Trip and a Warning on the M753?
A: A Trip (Solid code) is a protective shutdown that stops the motor immediately to protect the drive or the mechanical system. A Warning (Flashing code) indicates a “near-trip” condition, such as Hot (Heatsink temperature) or O.Ld (Load Warning), which allows the PLC to reduce the cycle speed before a hard stop occurs.
Q: How do I reset a Digitax HD M753 fault?
A: Once the cause is cleared, you can reset the drive via:
- Pressing the Red STOP/RESET button on the drive keypad (if installed).
- Cycling the Main Power (Wait for the display to go completely dark before reapplying power).
- Sending a Fault Reset command via the EtherCAT Control Word (Bit 7).
- Toggling a Digital Input assigned to the “Reset” function (Parameter 10.033).
Q: What does “inh” (Inhibit) mean?
A: “inh” is not a fault. It is a status code indicating that the Safe Torque Off (STO) terminals (Dual channel) are not receiving a 24V signal. The drive is healthy but prevented from running by an external safety circuit or E-stop. In EtherCAT systems, “inh” will prevent the drive from entering the “Op” state.
Q: Where is the fault history stored?
A: The trip history is stored in non-volatile memory in Menu 10. Even if the drive is powered down, the last 10 trips are retained. The most recent trip code is always found in Parameter 10.020.
Q: My drive shows “Enc1,” what does that mean in a servo system?
A: This is a Primary Encoder Fault. It means the drive has lost position feedback. Check the motor encoder cable for damage, ensure the shield is properly grounded, and verify that the encoder connectors are fully seated at both the motor and drive ends.