Control Concepts provides service for all Franklin Control Systems drives and accessories.
Control Concepts has years of experience repairing a range of Franklin products, including variable speed drives, soft starters, and accessories.
About Franklin Control Systems
Franklin Control Systems is owned by Franklin Electric. Headquartered in Oregon, the company designs and produces electronic drives and controls for water pumping, HVAC, and industrial systems. In 2013, Franklin Electric acquired Cerus Industrial and rebranded the company to Franklin Control Systems.
What is a VFD?
Most drives installed today for automation are variable frequency drives or VFDs. A VFD takes fixed AC voltage and frequency input, converts it to DC internally, then sends it out as variable voltage and frequency AC output.
A VFD is pretty much a computer and a power supply that controls the torque, speed, and direction of an AC induction motor. VFDs and most other drives are simple devices that are highly reliable. Problems are usually rooted in another part of the machine.
If your existing Franklin Control System drive or system is obsolete or you cannot get replacement parts, Control Concepts can provide fast and efficient upgrades and retrofits.
Franklin Control System Drives
Franklin Control System products we service include:
- EMS-RV - Energy Management Soft-Starter
- SAS-RV - Standard Automation Soft-Starter
- GS-Drive - Compact GS-Series VFD
- Enclosed GS-Series - VFD
- Enclosed GS-Series VFD with Bypass
- Micro-Single Phase C Series VFD
- Industrial Enclosed Micro-Single Phase C Series VFD
- Q-Link Stand-Alone VFD
- SubDrive Connect Plus VFD
- Cerus X-Drive VFD for HVAC and industrial systems
Don't see your product on this list? Ask us!
Common Drive Failures
- Software or programming problems
- Non-functional cooling fans
- Loose connections
- Drive keeps blowing fuses or tripping breakers
- Drive doesn’t run motor
- Circuit board failure
Circuit board failure is the least common reason for drive failures. The most common fault that shuts down a drive is an over-current fault, of which there are 20-30 causes. We start with the dynamics of the motor and move on from there.
The Control Concepts Repair Process
We check the motor drive and terminals for substandard connections which can be caused by anything from heat cycles and mechanical vibration to reusing or over-tightening torque screws.
We conduct diode and IGBT tests on the input/output power sections before applying power to the drive unit. This is to protect against further damage from a short.
We power up the unit and perform amp readings and output frequency tests, slowly increasing the voltage until the rated input voltage of the drive is reached.
If everything functions properly, we use the drive to run a motor through basic jog functions after backing up existing programs. If the motor does not run, we check the output voltages and current ratings going to the motor to check drive function for motor rotation.
Most drive failures can be avoided through preventative maintenance.
- Keep the drive free of dust
- Ensure proper ventilation to prevent overheating
- Keep everything dry and protected from moisture
Call us for more information or to schedule service.
