VUKAR Motor Starter Fault Codes: FOL, FDR, HIU, LOU & SPP Meaning and Reset Guide

VUKAR Motor Starter Fault Codes: FOL, FDR, HIU, LOU & SPP Meaning and Reset Guide

When a VUKAR motor starter or controller displays FOL, FDR, HIU, LOU, or SPP, the code identifies the protection state detected by the controller. It does not by itself confirm the underlying mechanical, electrical, water-supply, or installation problem. Use the code as the starting point for a safe diagnosis—not as proof of a specific root cause.

Applicability: FOL, FDR, HIU and LOU apply to all VUKAR products. SPP applies only to three-phase-powered devices, panels and meters, not single-phase-powered products. The manual reset procedure is the same across products except DEV-N. HIU, LOU and SPP cannot be manually reset. Check your exact model and settings in the VUKAR Product Manual or contact VUKAR support.

VUKAR after-sales technical support: +91 63588 96254 — call this number for installation help, fault diagnosis, settings and warranty. Keep your exact model number, supply type, motor HP and the displayed code ready.

After any permitted reset, allow only one controlled restart. If the same fault returns, stop the equipment and escalate the diagnosis.

Quick fault-code reference table

Before resetting any VUKAR fault

A reset clears a detected protection state; it does not prove that the cause has been removed. Repeated resetting can expose a motor, pump, cable, supply, or starter to further stress. HIU, LOU and SPP can clear automatically, and some FDR and FOL configurations may also restart automatically. Keep people, tools, and loose materials away from moving equipment whenever automatic recovery is possible.

Before a user-level reset:

1. Read and record the displayed code.
2. Isolate the supply if an inspection requires opening a panel, touching conductors, or approaching moving machinery.
3. Check only safe external conditions, such as whether the water source is available, visible ventilation is blocked, or the supply appears unstable.
4. Confirm the exact controller model and the permitted reset method in its manual.
5. Allow one controlled restart only after the cause has been assessed.

Do not open the panel, move phase conductors, change protection parameters, bypass a trip, or test live terminals unless you are a qualified technician using the correct isolation and verification procedure.

FOL: Overload

FOL means Overload. On applicable VUKAR controllers, the state is associated with motor current remaining above the configured overload threshold for the configured trip delay. That describes the controller’s trigger logic; it does not identify a single cause.

Possible causes can include excessive mechanical load, a jammed pump, supply problems, incorrect settings, damaged cabling, motor trouble, or an installation issue. These are diagnostic possibilities rather than conclusions. A technician should compare the displayed current, configured threshold, motor nameplate, wiring, and actual load before changing any setting.

Products other than DEV-N: hold MENU for 2 seconds. DEV-N: press and hold SET for 2 seconds until RST is displayed; release SET when RST appears. For products other than DEV-N, a power-cycle FOL reset is available only when OLM is disabled. Do not use power cycling as a universal FOL reset. Keep the area clear before restoring power.

If FOL returns after one controlled restart, stop. Repeated overload operation can damage equipment, and the underlying current or load condition requires diagnosis.

FDR: Dry Run

FDR means Dry Run. On applicable units, it is associated with running current remaining below the configured dry-run threshold for the applicable delay. Low current may be consistent with loss of water or reduced pump load, but the code alone does not prove that a borewell, tank, suction line, sensor, pump, or pipe is dry or defective.

Check safe external water-supply conditions first. A qualified technician may then verify the current reading, dry-run threshold, delay, motor load, pump condition, and installation against the exact manual.

For FDR on products other than DEV-N, the following clearing paths apply. For DEV-N, use the SET → RST manual procedure stated above:

• For FOL/FDR manual reset on products other than DEV-N, hold MENU for 2 seconds. For DEV-N, hold SET for 2 seconds until RST appears, then release SET.
• Power cycle the applicable controller.
• When Cyclic Timer and RST are enabled, allow the configured RST timer to complete.

The timer path means the equipment may restart without another manual command. Keep the pump and connected machinery in a safe state during the waiting period. If FDR returns after one controlled restart, stop and diagnose the water supply, pump load, wiring, and settings rather than repeatedly clearing the code.

HIU and LOU: Voltage faults

HIU means Overvoltage: the input voltage is above the active configured high-voltage limit. LOU means Undervoltage: the input voltage is below the active configured low-voltage limit. The configured limits are part of the controller setup and should not be changed merely to suppress a fault.

HIU and LOU clear automatically when voltage returns within the permitted operating range. Neither fault can be manually reset, including on DEV-N. Automatic fault clearing does not prove that the underlying supply problem has been permanently repaired; keep the equipment area safe during recovery.

Do not use repeated power cycling as a substitute for supply diagnosis. If HIU or LOU persists, a qualified technician should check the incoming voltage, phase conditions where applicable, connections, conductor sizing, supply stability, and the exact configured limits against the model manual. Work on live supplies or inside panels requires appropriate qualification, isolation, and test equipment.

SPP: Three-phase protection

SPP is a phase-protection fault applicable only to three-phase-powered devices, panels and meters. It does not apply to single-phase-powered products. The code does not identify the underlying wiring or supply problem by itself.

SPP clears automatically when the three-phase sequence is correct and phase unbalance is within the permitted range. Both conditions must be satisfied. SPP cannot be manually reset with MENU, SET or the DEV-N SET → RST procedure. The presence of all three phases alone does not establish that sequence and unbalance are acceptable. If SPP persists, have a qualified electrician diagnose the supply and installation; do not interchange wires based only on the code.

Isolate the supply and verify it is dead before opening the panel or touching any conductor. This is work for a qualified electrician, not a DIY reset — if one is not on hand, call VUKAR technical support on +91 63588 96254 before proceeding. For suitable equipment categories, see Three Phase Motor Protection Devices, then confirm the selected product’s manual and support guidance.

Safe reset decision workflow

Use this workflow for any of the listed codes:

1. Identify the code and model.
   • Record the exact code.
   • Read the controller label and confirm the model manual.
2. Classify the recovery behaviour.
   • FOL and FDR have permitted manual clearing paths on applicable models.
   • HIU and LOU clear automatically when voltage returns to range.
   • FOL/FDR: use the common manual reset except on DEV-N; DEV-N uses SET until RST appears, then release. SPP: auto-clear only when phase sequence and phase unbalance are both acceptable. HIU, LOU and SPP do not support manual reset.
3. Make the area safe.
   • Keep people and tools away from the pump, motor, coupling, and moving machinery.
   • Isolate and verify de-energization before any panel or conductor work.
4. Check only conditions within your competence.
   • Users may review safe external conditions and the displayed information.
   • Any work inside the panel — measurements, wiring, phase interchange, protection settings — requires the supply isolated and verified dead first.
5. Use only the verified reset path for the exact model.
6. Allow one controlled restart.
7. Stop and escalate if the code returns.

This sequence avoids treating reset as a repair and makes automatic recovery an explicit safety consideration.

When resetting is not enough

Stop resetting and arrange a qualified diagnosis when:

• The same fault returns after one controlled restart.
• FOL is accompanied by abnormal noise, heat, smell, vibration, or stalled equipment.
• FDR repeats despite an apparently available water source.
• HIU or LOU persists or the supply is visibly unstable.
• SPP persists even after a qualified electrician has confirmed correct phase sequence and phase unbalance within range.
• A fuse, breaker, cable, contactor, terminal, motor, or pump shows visible damage.
• The exact model, settings, or permitted reset method cannot be confirmed.

In any of these situations, call VUKAR after-sales technical support on +91 63588 96254 rather than clearing the code again.

Never bypass protection, raise or lower thresholds simply to keep the motor running, or assume a replacement product is compatible because it appears in the same category. Use Product Selection as a selection aid, then confirm the application with VUKAR support.

FAQs

What does FOL mean on a VUKAR starter?

FOL means Overload. It indicates that current exceeded the configured overload threshold for the configured delay on an applicable controller. It does not confirm why the current was high.

Can I reset FOL by switching the power off and on?

For products other than DEV-N, power-cycle FOL reset is available only with OLM disabled. The manual button procedure is MENU for 2 seconds. For DEV-N, hold SET for 2 seconds until RST is displayed, then release SET. Do not infer a DEV-N power-cycle reset from the common instructions.

What does FDR mean?

FDR means Dry Run. The controller detected current below the configured dry-run threshold for the applicable delay. Treat water loss or reduced pump load as possibilities to investigate, not as a diagnosis proven by the code.

Do HIU and LOU need a manual reset?

HIU and LOU clear automatically when voltage returns within the permitted operating range. Neither fault can be manually reset, including on DEV-N. Automatic fault clearing does not prove that the underlying supply problem has been permanently repaired; keep the equipment area safe during recovery.

Can I correct SPP myself?

SPP cannot be manually reset. On three-phase-powered devices, panels and meters, it clears automatically when the phase sequence is correct and phase unbalance is within range. Both conditions are required. A qualified electrician must diagnose persistent faults and perform any necessary wiring work with the supply isolated and verified dead.

Who do I call for VUKAR after-sales support?

VUKAR after-sales technical support is on +91 63588 96254. Sales enquiries — product selection, pricing and orders — are on +91 95121 72271.

Identify your exact model and get the correct support

Start with the VUKAR Product Manual. For category-level browsing, use Single Phase Motor Protection Devices or Three Phase Motor Protection Devices. These category links do not claim that every listed product displays every code.

For application help, use Product Selection or contact VUKAR support. For a fault on an installed panel, call after-sales technical support directly on +91 63588 96254. Provide the exact model, supply type, motor rating, displayed code, configured values, and what happened before the trip. Do not publish or act on model compatibility assumptions without confirmation.