DriveMonitor Trace: Troubleshooting an Inactive Toolbar

David Krause2 min read
SiemensTroubleshootingVFD / Drives
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An inactive Trace item in the DriveMonitor function bar can indicate a drive compatibility limitation rather than a setting that must be enabled. The available evidence confirms that Trace does not operate with Micromaster or G120 drives. It is available only on unspecified, more advanced drives; the evidence does not identify supported models, software versions, or an activation command.

Determine Whether the Connected Drive Supports Trace

Connected drive Trace status Engineering decision
Micromaster Not available Use an external monitoring method.
G120 Not available Use an external monitoring method.
More advanced drive Potentially available Verify Trace support for the exact drive before troubleshooting configuration.

Do not assume that another drive is compatible merely because DriveMonitor displays the Trace item. The supplied information establishes only that some more advanced drives support it.

What Trace Can Monitor

On a supported drive, Trace is intended to monitor selected drive signals or parameters and display the captured measurements as charts. The evidence does not define the available signals, sampling behavior, storage locations, capture duration, or trigger options. Select the required measurement only after confirming that the connected drive exposes it to Trace.

Monitor Micromaster or G120 Without Trace

  1. Define the signals or measurements that must be observed; the correct monitoring method depends on this list.
  2. If the required values are available to a superior control system, acquire and display them through a PLC. The evidence specifically identifies S7-based approaches as an option.
  3. If the required measurement is not available through the control system, use suitable measurement instrumentation, such as an oscilloscope.

The evidence does not confirm that historical values are stored in drive parameter cells, so do not design a logging solution around internal storage without separate documentation for the exact drive.

Verify the Diagnosis

First identify the connected drive family. If it is Micromaster or G120, the inactive Trace item matches the documented limitation in the supplied evidence. For any other drive, verify model-specific Trace compatibility, then confirm that the required signal is available for selection and that the captured values can be displayed. If compatibility cannot be established, use PLC acquisition or external instrumentation.

FAQ

Why is DriveMonitor Trace greyed out?

If the connected drive is a Micromaster or G120, Trace is unavailable and the inactive function-bar item reflects that compatibility limitation.

Can DriveMonitor Trace create charts of drive parameters?

On a supported, more advanced drive, Trace can monitor selected signals or parameters and display measurements as charts. The available signals and capture capabilities must be verified for the exact drive.

How can I monitor G120 or Micromaster values without Trace?

Acquire the required values through a superior control system such as an S7 PLC, or use measurement equipment such as an oscilloscope when control-system data is insufficient.

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