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Heidenhain Controller
Power Supply · Intermediate · 30-120 minutes
HEIDENHAIN 231-8A20 - 8A20 Powerfail
HEIDENHAIN alarm 231-8A20 indicates the drive system cannot power-on due to an active powerfail signal from the power supply unit. This alarm typically occurs when the DC bus voltage is insufficient, the power supply has failed, or there are issues with the power monitoring circuits in the TNC system.
HEIDENHAIN 231-8A20 - 8A20 Powerfail
8A20 Powerfail
This TNC 640 error indicates a problem with the power supply system. The control has detected abnormal conditions in the mains power or DC-link voltage.
Root Cause Summary
HEIDENHAIN alarm 231-8A20 indicates the drive system cannot power-on due to an active powerfail signal from the power supply unit. This alarm typically occurs when the DC bus voltage is insufficient, the power supply has failed, or there are issues with the power monitoring circuits in the TNC system.
Safety
Causes and Fixes
Check DC Bus Voltage
Navigate to MOD > System Info > Drive Diagnosis and verify DC bus voltage readings are within specification (typically 540-750VDC for standard systems).
Compare readings across all axes - significant variations indicate power distribution issues.
Inspect Power Supply Unit
Check the main power supply unit LED indicators and measure output voltages. Verify 24VDC control voltage and main DC bus output.
Only qualified personnel should access high voltage areas. Follow lockout/tagout procedures.
Verify Input Power Quality
Measure incoming AC line voltage and check for voltage drops, phase imbalances, or harmonic distortion that could affect power supply performance.
Use a power quality analyzer to capture transient events that may not show on standard multimeters.
Check Power Supply Connections
Inspect all power connections from AC input through DC bus distribution, looking for loose connections, corrosion, or overheating signs.
Ensure proper PPE and follow electrical safety procedures when inspecting connections.
Call a technician if:
Prevention
Common Mistakes
Seeing Multiple Alarms?
Seeing another alarm with this one? Enter the code.
AxisMD logs alarms against your actual machines, tracks patterns, and gives AI context your manual doesn't have.
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Always verify with your machine manual or a certified technician before performing service procedures.