Nirvana Controller (HPM Drive)

The Nirvana controller is a fault relay + operator interface for the HPM drive — the drive itself makes almost all real-time decisions. Board-swap troubleshooting is rarely productive; work the drive first.

Manufacturer

Ingersoll Rand

Display

2×20 vacuum-fluorescent or later 4-line LCD with membrane keypad.

Years produced

~2001 – ~2016 on original Nirvana; carried into Xe-controlled Nirvana after.

Power supply

24 VDC control power, 120 VAC panel.

Ambient range

0 – 46 °C.

Protection rating

IP54 front.

Relay outputs

Drive run enable, blowdown solenoid, cooling fan, dryer, alarm, common warning.

Replaced by

Xe-145F on Nirvana N-Series (post-2016)

Used on

IR Nirvana N37–N160 VSD screws (HPM SR permanent-magnet drive)

Features

Coordinates SR (switched reluctance / hybrid PM) motor speed to hold constant pressure
Automatic restart after brief power dips
Wide-turndown control — typical 20–100 % speed

Interfaces

Proprietary comm to HPM drive
Modbus RTU (via gateway)
Intellisys ICS sequencer input

Sensor inputs

Airend discharge temp
Package discharge pressure
Sump pressure
Motor RTDs (via HPM drive)
Inverter heatsink temp

Common fault codes

Drive Fault HPM drive raised a fault to the controller (over-current, DC bus, IGBT, ground fault).

First checks

Read the drive-side fault code on the HPM panel
Check motor cable insulation & phase-to-ground
Verify cooling fan on drive heatsink

See trigger conditions & affected models →

Motor Winding Temp High Motor RTD over threshold.

First checks

Cooling airflow to motor
Load / duty cycle
Test RTD continuity at motor J-box

See trigger conditions & affected models →

Airend Discharge Temp Airend outlet over shutdown.

First checks

Cooler & fan
Coolant level & TCV
Verify sensor

See trigger conditions & affected models →

Loss of Comms with Drive Controller can't talk to HPM drive.

First checks

Check comm cable & connectors
Verify 24 VDC to drive control card
Cycle main disconnect

See trigger conditions & affected models →

Inverter Overtemp Drive heatsink over threshold.

First checks

Clean drive filter & heatsink
Verify enclosure vent fans
Check ambient inside cabinet

See trigger conditions & affected models →

Emergency Stop E-stop pressed or loop open.

First checks

Release E-stop
Check remote loop

See trigger conditions & affected models →

Fault list is non-exhaustive and firmware-dependent. Always confirm against the controller’s on-screen help or OEM manual.

Wiring notes

HPM drive is the star of the package — most "controller" faults actually originate at the drive
Motor cable MUST be shielded VFD cable with 360° gland termination at both ends
Never megger the motor without disconnecting the drive — IGBTs will fail

Known issues & field notes

SR motor bearing failures on early Nirvana units — check for 1× line-frequency vibration
HPM drive filter caps age at ~10 years; replace on schedule to avoid DC-bus faults
Ground faults are almost always in the motor cable gland or the airend J-box, not the drive

Manuals & literature

Ingersoll Rand — support portal

Customer Care → Manuals & Parts (login often required)

Direct PDFs

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