We recently had a customer install a replacement 6SN1121-0BA11-0AA1 card into a 6SN1123-1AA00-0EA1 power module. When they installed the card it came up with an F-16 alarm code on the display of it, which references an “Illegal Power Module.” Using the instructions in the manual for the start-up of a replacement Simodrive card or power module we were able to get the customer back up and running with the steps below.

On the 6SN1121-0BA11-0AA1, the F-16 Illegal Power module code means that either there is an incorrect code number 3 selected in P-095 (for power modules without automatic recognition) or there is an incorrect number selected in P-095 (for power modules with automatic recognition). To fix this, you just need to load the correct code number into parameter P-095 on the control unit. The list of the power module codes is below, you just need to check which power module you are using and use the +/P/- keys on the 6SN1121-0BA11-0AA1 unit to input the corresponding parameter in P-095.

It is also possible that you will need to re-initialize the drive to input P-095 to the correct code number. Here are the instructions to re-initialize the drive converter.

Re-initializing the drive converter- If required, save the setting data (parameters)
– Remove the write protection: Set P-051 to 4H
– Start initialization: Set P-097 to 0H
– Overwite the parameters in the drive-machine data memory: Set P-052 to 1H and wait until it resets back to 0H
– Power on reset: Power down the unit and power it back up after the display has been dark for 2 seconds. P-095 or P-096 must be displayed.

After re-initializing you will be able to change P-095 to the correct code and the Simodrive F-16 Alarm fault should clear.

On the front of the Siemens Simodrive monitoring and NE modules there is a series of 6 LED lights that are used to diagnose issues with the drive. We have a diagram of the LED below along with the meaning of each light so that customers can properly diagnose their Siemens Simodrives.

1 LED, red – 15 V electronics power supply faulted

2 LED, red – 5 V voltage level faulted

3 LED green – external enable signals not available
(terminal 63 and/or terminal 64 missing)
4 LED yellow – DC link charged

5 LED, red – line supply fault (single– or multi–phase supply failure at the
terminals U1, V1, W1) 1)
– commutating reactor either not available or incorrectly selected,
– fault level of the line supply or transformer too low

6 LED red – DC link overvoltage
possible causes: Regenerative feedback off, setting–up operation,
line supply fault, for UE pulsed–resistor not operational, line supply
voltage too high, dynamic overload condition

Effects:
1 red LED bright: Pulses for the complete drive group are canceled
2 red LED bright: Pulses for the complete drive group are canceled
4 yellow LED dark: xxxx
5 red LED bright: 1) Only the I/R module pulses are canceled (regenerative feedback
no longer possible. Axes first continue to run. Ready relay drops–out
6 red LED bright: Pulses for the complete drive group are canceled

We also had a customer with a 6SN1123-1AA00-0CA1 Simodrive LT Module that they were getting a fault code 7 on. This fault code has to do with the speed controller being at it’s limit. This alarm was coming up randomly for them, and would go away temporarily if they swapped out their motor with a spare. The controller card that they were using was a 6SN1118-0AA11-0AA1 card, which was determined as faulty once the other components were tested. Once the card was replaced, the customer was able to get up and running.

For more info about Simodrive and to see what we stock, you can view our Simodrive Series page. To get a quote, please email sales@mroelectric.com or call 1-800-691-8511.