UniMac Industrial Washer Drive Fault Error: VFD Input Open
Drive Fault Error means the UniLinc control detected the VFD protection input open. The error is logged and its counter on the Alarms screen goes up. The manual lists no operator action beyond viewing the count, so call a technician.
High: the drive reported a trip, which can stop the drum.
- Code
- Drive Fault Error
- Maker
- UniMac
- Equipment
- Industrial laundry
- Applies to
- UniLinc control pocket hardmount washer-extractor (UW35-UW150, 2009-2012 manuals)
What does UniMac Drive Fault Error mean?
The drum is driven through a variable frequency drive, or VFD. The drive signals its own protective trips to the control through a protection input, which is normally closed. When the control finds that input open, it records Drive Fault Error and increments the audit counter for it, listed as screen 2 of 4 on Alarms. The manual describes the logging and gives no operator action beyond viewing the count. In practice an open input means the drive has tripped on something, such as an overload, over-temperature or supply condition, or the signal wire has come loose. The drive is a high-power electronic part, so diagnosing why it tripped is a technician's job. The counter helps by showing whether it happens once or repeatedly, and a count that keeps rising on a machine that has otherwise run normally is a reason to have the drive and its supply checked soon.
Affected models and control systems
UniMac UniLinc control on the UW35TV, UW60TV, UW80TV, UW100TV, UW125TV and UW150TV washer-extractors and the UWL, UWN and UWU 035-150 T3 models.
Code numbers and their meaning can change between control generations. We match the full model and control before acting on a code.
What you may notice
- Drive Fault Error on the display
- Counter for this error increasing on Alarms
- Drum not turning or stopping unexpectedly
- Cycle behaving oddly after a power event
Possible causes
Likely causes — what usually sits behind Drive Fault Error on this control. A technician confirms which one it is before any part is replaced.
- VFD tripped on an overload or over-temperature
- Supply voltage dip or phase loss at the drive
- Protection signal wire loose or broken
- Drum or motor binding
Safe checks before calling for service
- View the count on the Alarms screen, which is the only action the manual gives.
- Turn the machine off and on once and see whether it recurs.
- Do not keep restarting.
- Check that the load is within the machine's capacity.
- Note the count and the load size for the technician.
How a technician diagnoses Drive Fault Error
- Read the count and the cycle step.
- Read the drive's own trip code from its display.
- Check supply voltage and phases at the drive.
- Check the drum, motor and bearings for binding.
- Inspect the protection signal wire, then repair the drive condition.
- The drive operates at high power and stores dangerous voltage after shutdown.
- Reading and clearing drive trips needs the drive documentation.
- Motor and bearing checks mean opening the machine.
How Drive Fault Error differs from similar codes
Drive Fault Error is logged and counted. It does not offer an operator menu like Door Lock Error.
Technical reference
- Maker documentation
- UniMac owner support
- Edition
- Part No. F8138801R3, September 2009
- Models / control
- UniLinc control pocket hardmount washer-extractor (UW35-UW150, 2009-2012 manuals)
- Section
- Diagnostic: Machine Errors (pp. 56-59)
- Checked
- October 2026
We use the maker's document to read the code and do not reproduce it. Always confirm the complete model and control before applying these steps.
Related UniMac industrial laundry error codes
What can I do about it?
The manual lists no action beyond viewing the count on Alarms.
Is the drive broken?
Not necessarily. It tripped for a reason a technician can read.
Is it the same as the balance errors?
No. Those relate to balance switches.
Need help with UniMac Drive Fault Error?
A technician confirms the cause on site and gives you the price in writing before any work starts.