VFD-rated motor cable
Price this when overcurrent or overload faults trace to damaged output wiring.
ABB ACS880 Fault 2310 Overcurrent — What It Means
The ABB ACS880 Fault 2310 is an Overcurrent fault — the drive’s output current has exceeded the instantaneous overcurrent trip level (typically 2× the drive’s rated current). The ACS880 shuts down immediately to protect its IGBTs from a shoot-through event. Fault 2310 is a hard, fast-trip protection; it is not the same as the thermal overload (Fault 2310 OL). The fault appears in the drive’s fault log with a timestamp, and the sub-code in the fault data narrows down which phase tripped.
Common Causes
- Motor output short circuit — A phase-to-phase or phase-to-ground short in the motor winding or output cable causes a current spike that instantly exceeds the 2310 threshold.
- Acceleration ramp too fast — Accelerating a high-inertia load too quickly demands peak current that exceeds the drive’s trip level.
- Motor insulation breakdown — Aged motor insulation fails at the moment of startup (high dV/dt stress from the drive’s PWM switching), causing a momentary short and 2310 trip.
- Mechanical jam at startup — A seized or jammed load at startup demands near-locked-rotor current, which can exceed 2× FLA on a properly sized drive.
Step-by-Step Fix
- Check for an output short circuit — Power off, lock out. Disconnect the motor from the drive output terminals. Measure phase-to-phase and phase-to-ground resistance on the motor cable and on the motor terminals. Any low-resistance ground reading = winding or cable fault.
- Identify the sub-code — Read the fault log (parameter group 08) and note the sub-code with fault 2310. Sub-code 1 = U phase, 2 = V phase, 3 = W phase. This narrows whether it’s a specific winding issue.
- Extend the acceleration ramp — In parameter 23.12 (Acceleration Time 1), increase the ramp time by 50% and test. If 2310 clears with a longer ramp, the original ramp was too aggressive for the load inertia.
- Megohm test the motor — After clearing the output cable, megohm test the motor windings at 1000V. Any reading below 1 MΩ indicates degraded insulation that will cause intermittent 2310 faults.
- Reset and test with no load — Reconnect motor, reset fault (parameter 96.09 = 1 or use the panel), and test the drive with motor decoupled from load. If 2310 trips with no mechanical load, the motor has a winding fault.
Parts Often Needed
| Part | Notes |
|---|---|
| Motor (replacement) | Replace when megohm test shows degraded insulation |
| Output motor cable | Replace if cable insulation has failed; use VFD-rated cable |
| ACS880 IGBT module | Replace only after confirming the fault was caused by an external short that damaged internal semiconductors |
Technician Tips
When diagnosing VFD faults, always check the drive’s fault history before resetting. Modern drives store the last 5-10 faults with the drive state at the time (running, accelerating, decelerating, stopped). An overcurrent fault that occurs only during acceleration points to incorrect motor data or mechanical binding. The same fault during deceleration suggests regeneration issues. A ground fault that clears after disconnecting the motor and returns when reconnected means the motor or cable insulation has failed.
Prevention: Schedule annual infrared scanning of drive cabinets. Loose power connections and failing capacitors produce heat long before they cause faults. A 5-minute scan can prevent hours of unplanned downtime.
Need Replacement Parts?
Before ordering, match the drive part to the model number, electrical rating, and failure symptom. Check current prices on Amazon - prices and availability change frequently.
When to Call a Pro
If 2310 trips with no load connected and the motor tests clean, the ACS880’s current sensing circuit or IGBT module may have been damaged by a prior short circuit event. ABB-certified drive technicians should perform IGBT gate signal testing and bus capacitor verification.