Messages and diagnosis   
6.5 3RW40: Troubleshooting 
  SIRIUS 3RW30 / 3RW40 
64  Manual, 10/2018, NEB535199502000/RS-AB/005 
Motor protection tripping Overload 
relay / thermistor: 
The thermal motor model has tripped. 
After an overload trip, restarting is inhib-
ited until the recovery time has elapsed. 
- Overload relay tripping time: 60 s 
- Thermistor tripping time: When the 
temperature sensor (thermistor) in the 
motor has cooled down. 
- Check whether the motor's rated opera-
tional current I
e
 is set correctly, or 
- Change the CLASS setting, or 
- Possibly reduce the switching frequen-
cy, or 
- Deactivate the motor protection (CLASS 
OFF), or 
- Check the motor and the application 
Thermistor protection: wire break-
age / short-circuit (optional for 
devices 3RW402. to 3RW404.): 
Temperature sensor at terminals 
T11/T12/T22 is short-circuited or defec-
tive, a cable is not connected, or no sen-
Check the temperature sensor and the 
wiring 
Thermal overload on the device:  Overload trip of the thermal model for the 
power unit of the 3RW40 
Possible causes 
•  Too many starts, 
•  Motor starting time too long, 
•  Ambient temperature in switching 
device's environment too high, 
•  Minimum installation clearances not 
complied with. 
Wait until the device has cooled down 
again, possibly increase the current limit-
ing value set for starting, or reduce the 
switching frequency (too many consecu-
tive starts). If necessary, retrofit the op-
tional fan (for 3RW402. to 3RW404.) 
Check the load and the motor, check 
whether the ambient temperature in the 
soft starter's environment is too high 
(derating above 40 °C, refer to chapter 
Technical data (Page 127)), comply with 
Missing load voltage, phase failure 
/ missing load: 
Cause 1: Phase L1 / L2 / L3 is missing or 
fails / collapses when the motor is operat-
ing.  
A trip occurs if the current measured by 
the current transformers of the 3RW40 is 
less than 20% of the minimum rated 
motor current that can be set on the 
3RW40 potentiometer:  
•  At starting/coasting down: tripping 
time t > 1 s 
•  In bypass mode: tripping time t > 5 s 
Connect L1 / L2 / L3 or correct the volt-
age dip. 
Cause 2: a motor that is not powerful 
enough is connected.  
A trip occurs if the current measured by 
the current transformers of the 3RW40 is 
less than 20% of the minimum rated 
motor current that can be set on the 
3RW40 potentiometer, or less than 2 A.  
Set the rated operational current for the 
connected motor correctly on the 3RW40 
potentiometer, or set it to the minimum. 
Cause 3: Motor phase T1 / T2 / T3 is not 
connected. 
Connect the motor properly (e.g. jumpers 
in the motor terminal box, repair switch 
Device error  Soft starter defective.  Contact your SIEMENS partner or Tech-
nical Assistance (Page 15).