M-Bus Troubleshooting
The failure of communication on the M-Bus can be caused by several sources:
- Failure of the bus ribbon, e.g. open or shorted.
- Failure of one of the stepper motors attached to the bus, e.g. shorted to B+ or B-.
- Failure of the voltage or ground supply to the IHK control unit.
The M-Bus is active at any time following KLR on. The IHK module provides the voltage necessary to support communication. The voltage level of the M-Bus is 5 V, but because status communication occurs at an average 50% duty cycle the observed voltage is approximately 2.5 V. The presence of 2.5 V means that communication is occurring.
Checking the M-Bus ribbon is carried out just like any other wiring. Perform continuity tests between the connections of the stepper motors (all motors disconnected) and the control unit without forgetting to make sure that the data line has not shorted to ground or power.
It is recommended to use the "Wire Test" in "Preset Measurements" which is more sensitive than just a resistance check.
If Voltage level and the wire test are O.K, then looking at the communication signal may be useful.
The following is an example of a scope pattern that may be observed when checking the M-Bus. Notice the very high frequency of the signal at approximately 20 kHz.