ClearPath Troubleshooting Guide

What type of issue are you experiencing?

Software Communication

e.g., "I can't talk to the motors"

Hardware/Application

e.g.,"I can talk, but the motors
are not operating as intended"

Step 1: Locate your motor's status LED

NEMA 23

NEMA 34

NEMA 56/143, IEC D100

Step 2: What is your ClearPath series?

MC / SD Series

SC Series

Step 3: What is the LED color?

Unlit LED

For NEMA 23/34 Models:

Check DC voltage at the power connector into the ClearPath motor using a voltmeter.

If voltage is less than 20 VDC: Do not return unit; repair power supply or power cable.
If voltage is greater than 20 VDC: Return unit for repair.

For NEMA 56/143 & IEC D100 Models:

Check AC voltage at the power input of the ClearPath motor.

Ensure that the AC voltage is at least 100 VAC.
Ensure that your wiring is correct for your AC voltage level according to this diagram:
Important: Do not connect 3 phase, 277/480 VAC to your AC ClearPath motor.

Red LED

Return the motor to Teknic. To complete an RMA (return merchandise authorization) request, visit the RMA section of your account.

Step 4: What is the LED behavior?

Blinking Yellow

Solid Yellow

Blinking Yellow LED

Do not return the ClearPath motor. This is an application error that may disallow motion, not a motor failure. Note: depending on the exact error type, there will be anywhere from 2 to 7 blinks between pauses.

Troubleshooting steps:

1. Open the ClearPath MSP software
2. Notice the yellow shutdown indication and Exceptions message (the message may be different than shown)
3. Click the button next to the Exceptions message to bring up hints for troubleshooting the application problem

MSP image of tracking error limit shutdown Exceptions message

Solid Yellow LED

Do not return the ClearPath motor. The LED is indicating that the motor is powered but not receiving an enable command (the Enable signal tells ClearPath to bring power to the motor phases to prepare for a command to move; a disabled motor cannot follow a command).

Troubleshooting steps:

1. Check that your enabling device (e.g., PLC, switch, etc.) is set to enable the motor.
2. Check your wiring. Use a voltmeter at the ClearPath connector end to make sure the Enable signal is getting to the motor.
3. If your device is sending the enable command as verified by a voltmeter at the ClearPath end of the cable, but the motor is still not enabling, here is a quick battery test to make sure there is no damage to the motor's input: https://teknic.com/battery-test/

ClearPath motor with alternating yellow/green LED

Yellow/Green Alternating LED

Do not return the ClearPath motor. It is working properly, but there is a software conflict. One of the two solutions below should solve the problem:

1. Turn the hardware Enable signal off and then on again. This will clear any software overrides.
2. The motor may be beyond the software travel limits set in the homing settings window. Check the limits in the ClearPath MSP software and don't command the motor past those limits. For homing setup information, please see the ClearPath manual, Appendix H - Homing.

Step 4: What is the LED behavior?

Blinking Green

Flickering Green

Blinking Green LED

Do not return the ClearPath motor. This is an application issue or warning that may disallow motion, not a motor failure. Note: Depending on the exact error type, there may be 2, 3, or 4 blinks between pauses.

Troubleshooting steps:

1. Open the ClearPath MSP software
2. Notice the yellow shutdown indication and Exceptions message (the message may be different than shown)
3. Click the button next to the Exceptions message to bring up hints for troubleshooting the application problem

MSP image of travel limits violated shutdown Exceptions message

Flickering Green LED

Do not return the ClearPath motor. The LED is indicating that the motor is enabled and ready to accept commands.

Troubleshooting steps:

1. Using the "Override Input" section of the MSP software, attempt to make the motor move. If this works, the problem is most likely one of the following:
- a. the cable from your control device to ClearPath is broken or miswired;
- b. the control device is defective or miswired; or
- c. the control device software is not working as you expect.
2. If MSP can move the motor, your device appears to be sending the signals to move the motor, and the cable is good (as verified by a voltmeter at the ClearPath connector end), here is a quick battery test to make sure there is no damage to the motor's input: https://teknic.com/battery-test/

Step 3: What is the LED color?

Unlit LED

For NEMA 23/34 Models:

Check DC voltage at the power connector into the ClearPath motor using a voltmeter.

If voltage is less than 20 VDC: Do not return unit; repair power supply or power cable.
If voltage is greater than 20 VDC: Return unit for repair.

For NEMA 56/143 & IEC D100 Models:

Check AC voltage at the power input of the ClearPath motor.

Ensure that the AC voltage is at least 100 VAC.
Ensure that your wiring is correct for your AC voltage level according to this diagram:
Important: Do not connect 3 phase, 277/480 VAC to your AC ClearPath motor.

Red LED

Return the motor to Teknic. To complete an RMA (return merchandise authorization) request, visit the RMA section of your account.

Blinking Yellow LED

Do not return ClearPath motor. The motor has an "Exception" which is stopping it from running.

Troubleshooting steps:

1. Connect a second computer to ClearPath's USB diagnostic port. Run the ClearView software, and click on the button next to the Exceptions message to bring up hints for troubleshooting the application problem.
2. If you don't have a second computer, you will need to write some lines of code to query the motor through your software to get the Exceptions message. Please see the sFoundation for sdk examples and suggestions.

ClearViewimage of tracking error limit shutdown exceptions message

Step 4: What is the LED behavior?

Solid Green

Flickering Green

Solid Green LED

Do not return ClearPath motor. The LED indicates that ClearPath is disabled (windings de-energized)

Solution: Your application code must call the Enable command to energize the motor. Please see the sFoundation "sdk Example-Motion" for details.

Flickering Green LED

Do not return ClearPath motor. The LED is reporting that the motor is enabled and ready to accept commands from your software application code.

Step through your code to make sure the commands are being sent to ClearPath as expected.

Step 1: Locate your motor's status LED

NEMA 23

NEMA 34

NEMA 56/143, IEC D100

Step 2: What is the LED color?

Unlit LED

For NEMA 23/34 Models:

Check DC voltage at the power connector into the ClearPath motor using a voltmeter.

If voltage is less than 20 VDC: Do not return unit; repair power supply or power cable.
If voltage is greater than 20 VDC: Return unit for repair.

For NEMA 56/143 & IEC D100 Models:

Check AC voltage at the power input of the ClearPath motor.

Ensure that the AC voltage is at least 100 VAC.
Ensure that your wiring is correct for your AC voltage level according to this diagram:
Important: Do not connect 3 phase, 277/480 VAC to your AC ClearPath motor.

Red LED

Return the motor to Teknic. To complete an RMA (return merchandise authorization) request, visit the RMA section of your account.

Step 3: Check USB Cable

Verify that your USB cable is 1) fully rated for USB 2.0 high-speed data communication, 2) is properly shielded, and 3) is 10' or less in length. Some USB cables (particularly those designed specifically as "charging only" cables) may not have the required data conductors. In addition, low quality cables often have poor grounding and/or shielding provisions.

For IP53 NEMA 23/34 Models:

10-ft USB 2.0 A to Micro-B available for purchase here.

USB A to Micro-B plugged into NEMA 34 ClearPath

For IP67/66K NEMA 23/34 Models:

10-ft USB 2.0 A to C available for purchase here.

For NEMA 56/143 & IEC D100 Models:

10-ft USB 2.0 A to B available for purchase here.

USB A to B plugged into NEMA 143 ClearPath

I have a qualified USB cable

Step 4: I have a qualified USB cable. Now what?

A few other issues may prevent your ClearPath motor from communicating with MSP (or ClearView for SC models) on your PC. These include device driver issues, user access settings, anti-virus software, and security monitoring software. Click the following link to open a document that discusses the most common of these issues:
https://teknic.com/files/downloads/USB-Communications.pdf