Testing.
Warning.
To avoid electric shock or injury, or damage to the IPC, a
All 6 LEDs must light.
Conclusion
Correct Function Inverter Outputs : all 6 LEDs must light.
lways disconnect power supplies before making or
disconnecting connections. Wait three minutes for stored charge in capacitors (DC Voltage) to safely
discharge.
This Inverter Phase test must be carried out with the compressor disconnected from the Inverter Board.
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
Disconnect the 3 phases supplying the compressor.
Connect L1, L2 and L3 of the IPC to the 3 phases output from the inverter board ( sometimes designated U, V, W).
After all connections are safely made, switch on the power.
Clear the IPC-307 memory and check battery condition by pressing and holding the MEM switch for 4 seconds until
a beep is heard. The 6 LEDS will light in sequence. Release the switch.
Configure the system to call for cooling
As soon as the inverter initiates a start up sequence, corresponding LEDs will blink in a sequence (not indicative of
rotation direction) and an audible beep will sound .Normally this only occurs for a second or so. The IPC will notify of
a start up sequence having been detected by sounding a single short audible beep every 4 seconds, corresponding
LEDs will flash indicative of valid signals sensed..
Press the MEM button to recall test result. Hold MEM to clear memory for re-testing. If one
or more LEDs are not lit, check probe connections and repeat test.
Faulty Output: one, more or all of the LEDs do not light.
Faulty Output: one or more LEDs are constantly on.
If any or all of the outputs are not functioning properly, then the Invertor board (or IPM) will need to be replaced.
There are various ways of connecting the Inverter Phase Checker, depending on the type and accessibility of the
terminals. The Engineer must ensure that suitable and secure connections are correctly made before switch on.
Example of connecting the IPC-307
to the Inverter Compressor feed Terminals
L1 (U)
L2 (V)
L3 (W)
+
AC IN RECTIFI-
CATION
DC
VOLTAGE
OUTPUT
TRANSISTORS
AC MOTOR
3 PHASE INVERTER
Inverter Information.
The inverter uses a rectifier to convert the incoming alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) and then switches the 6
transistors in a sequence to produce AC of a desired frequency. The variable frequency AC drives the compressor.
When an inverter system starts up - It is common for there to be a delay of typically two to three minutes before the output
is enabled and the duration of the output switching sequence that follows, may only last for a second or more.
The sequence is terminated once the inverter senses there is no compressor loading.
In some cases the phase sequence might be repeated following a further delay. Also, following a fault, some systems will
require a resetting action of some kind.
Introduction to the IPC-307
Battery Powered
Operation
Memory
Magnetic Base
Compressors.
The IPC functions to identify inverter faults when a problem arises such as compressor over-current protection and shut
down. It senses and measures valid switching operation of the 6 output transistors in inverter systems. A sequence in
which all 6 transistors switch both on and off, is indicative of correct operation. The IPC is connected to the inverter
instead of the compressor and automatically monitors the inverter output.
The IPC remains in standby mode and will start automatically when inverter activity is sensed on the L1,2 & 3 inputs, or
when the MEM button is pressed.
Virtually no power is consumed while in standby. The battery can be tested by holding the MEM button for 4 seconds: If
6 LEDs light, then the batteries are good.
When testing is complete, clear memory to put the IPC into standby mode and save battery power.
The IPC will record and display any valid signals it detects with LED and an audible beep. Valid signals are recorded in
memory and will remain until cleared.
Following 4 seconds of no activity, the IPC will notify of a start up sequence having been detected by sounding a single
short audible beep every 4 seconds. Corresponding LEDs will flash indicative of valid signals sensed.
This will continue for 18 minutes, after which the memory will be cleared and the IPC enters standby mode.
Inverter start up sequences are often very short in duration - only a second or more. So the IPC stores valid signals in
memory for later observation.
Memory is recalled at any time by momentarily pressing the MEM button to display which signals have been detected.
All 6 LEDs constantly lit indicated a test pass.
Holding the MEM switch for 4 seconds or longer will clear memory and place the IPC in standby mode.
The memory must be cleared before initiating any test or repeat test.
The IPC-307 has a strong magnetic base for mounting conveniently on to steel condenser housings.
Compressors can fail with insulation breakdown between motor windings or down to earth. It is advised to carry out an
electrical insulation test to earth and a resistance test between each winding of the compressor, in accordance with
manufacturer’s data, prior to reconnecting.
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