Common fault types and handling methods of servo motors

Release Time：

2025-05-21

Common types of faults in servo motors, practical solutions, and practical troubleshooting tips are provided to help our engineers quickly locate the problem and reduce downtime losses! Let's take a look together!

1、 Motor overload/overheating

❌ Fault phenomenon:
·Sudden shutdown of the motor during operation, driving
The device displays an "overload" alarm
·The temperature of the motor casing has abnormally increased, even becoming hot to the touch

▶️ Possible reasons:
1. The load exceeds the rated torque of the motor (such as

Mechanical jamming and wear of transmission components
2. Poor heat dissipation (fan damage, heat sink)

Accumulation of dust)
3. Driver parameter settings are incorrect (such as current)

The limit value is too low

→ Processing method:
✅ Check if the mechanical structure is stuck and clean it

Foreign objects or lubricated transmission components
✅ Clean the cooling fan and air duct, if necessary

Replace the cooling fan
✅ Check the driver parameters and adjust the current limit

Control or acceleration/deceleration time

2、 Motor vibration or abnormal noise

❌ Fault phenomenon
·Accompanied by obvious vibration or harsh noise during operation
·Significant shaking during low-speed operation

▶️ Possible reasons:
1. Motor bearings are worn or lack lubrication
2. Eccentricity or looseness in the installation of the coupling
3. Encoder signal is interfered with

→ Processing method:
✅ Stop the machine to check the status of the bearings and add specialized oil

Lubricating grease or replacing bearings
✅ Re calibrate the coaxiality of the coupling (error)

Requires<0.02mm)
✅ Check the shielding layer of the encoder cable and keep it away from it

Strong electromagnetic interference source

3、 Encoder malfunction

❌ Fault phenomenon
·Driver alarm "Encoder error"
·The motor cannot be accurately positioned, resulting in a positional deviation

▶️ Possible reasons:
1. Encoder cable breakage or poor contact
2. Internal grating contamination in the encoder
3. Strong electromagnetic interference leads to abnormal signals

→ Processing method:
✅ Use a multimeter to check the continuity of the encoder circuit,

Replace damaged cables
✅ Clean the encoder grating with a cotton swab of anhydrous alcohol

Disk (operation should be cautious!)
✅ Install magnetic rings or replace with ones with better shielding performance

ENCODER LINKS