Yaskawa GA800 E12 Fault — What It Means
E12 is not a verified fault code in the published Yaskawa GA800 documentation. The GA800 series uses alphanumeric codes to identify specific faults, but E12 does not appear in standard fault tables. You may be seeing a different code (such as UV3 for soft-charge issues), a model-specific alarm, or a display error. Always photograph the keypad and verify the exact characters shown before troubleshooting.
For any GA800 fault, the general approach is to identify the displayed code on the keypad, consult the drive’s fault table and elementary diagram in the manual, remove the cause of the fault, then press the RESET button while the code is displayed. The GA800 maintenance guidance covers only fan and control board replacement for field service.
Common Causes
- Misread or transposed code The actual fault may be UV3 (soft-charge answerback), a different alphanumeric code, or a keypad display glitch.
- Soft-charge bypass relay failure If the real code is related to precharge circuits, the soft-charge relay or contactor may be damaged or stuck.
- Control board fault The drive control board may have failed, preventing proper fault reporting or relay control.
- Incorrect parameter configuration A custom alarm or user-defined fault parameter may display a nonstandard code on some models.
- Keypad or communication error The operator keypad or digital communication link may be corrupted, showing garbled characters.
- Firmware or model variant difference Some GA800 variants or firmware versions may use codes not published in general manuals.
Step-by-Step Fix
- Photograph the keypad display and verify you are reading the exact code, including all letters, numbers, and decimal points.
- Record the drive nameplate information including full model number, serial number, and firmware version.
- Consult the fault code table in the GA800 manual for your specific model and firmware to find the verified meaning of the code.
- Press the RESET button on the keypad while the fault is displayed to attempt a reset after verifying the code.
- Inspect the soft-charge bypass relay and contactors if the verified code relates to precharge or answerback faults.
- Check the control board and wiring for visible damage, loose connections, or burned components if the fault persists after reset.
- Contact Yaskawa technical support with the exact fault code, model number, and photo if the code does not appear in your manual or the fault will not clear.
Parts Often Needed
| Part | Notes |
|---|---|
| Yaskawa GA800 control board | Amazon | Match to your exact drive model and voltage rating |
| Soft-charge bypass relay | Amazon | Only if verified fault relates to precharge circuit |
When to Call a Pro
Call a qualified VFD technician or contact Yaskawa support if the fault code does not appear in your drive manual, if the fault returns immediately after reset, or if you lack the elementary diagrams and multimeter skills to trace relay and control board circuits. The GA800 maintenance manual specifies that field repair is limited to fan and control board replacement, so internal power board or bus faults require factory service or drive replacement. Always work with input power locked out and verified, and allow the DC bus capacitors to discharge fully before opening the drive enclosure.