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Alarm guide · Mitsubishi · Updated October 2026

Mitsubishi AL.52 alarm: error excessive

Mitsubishi AL.52 means the position error became too large: the motor did not follow the command. Look for a locked mechanism, weak torque, aggressive settings or an encoder fault.

By Suresh Sankaran, founder of Star Automations, servo motor repair since 1998.

01Meaning

What the alarm means

The difference between the commanded and the actual position went beyond the set limit. Alarm numbers and wording can differ between series, so confirm with the manual for your unit.

02Causes

Common causes

  • Mechanical lock or heavy friction
  • Brake not released
  • Torque limit set too low
  • Acceleration or command too aggressive for the gains
  • Motor, encoder or cable fault
03First checks

Safe first checks

General guidance only. Follow the drive manual and your site's electrical safety rules. Power off, and let the DC bus discharge, before touching connectors.

  1. Note the exact alarm code and when it appears: at power-up, at start, or under load.
  2. Power off and turn the shaft by hand if safe: it should turn smoothly.
  3. Check the motor cable, encoder cable and connectors for damage and loose contacts.
  4. Check what changed recently: load, speed, settings, cables or a replaced part.
04Repair

When to send it for repair

A motor that lags only on one axis, with a free mechanism, should be bench tested.

We test every motor on our Universal Servo Motor Repair Equipment, which reads and aligns the feedback and runs the motor under load without the original drive.

See Mitsubishi servo motor repair, Mitsubishi encoder repair and Mitsubishi servo drive repair.

05FAQ

Questions

Should I raise the error limit?

Only as a test. A larger limit hides the cause. Fix the cause.

How long does repair take?

Emergency repair is done the same day where the fault and parts allow, urgent in 3 working days and standard in 7 working days, counted from when the unit reaches our bench and the quote is approved. Every unit returns with a printed test report.

Can I get an exchange unit?

If we hold a matching unit, Servo Swap ships a tested exchange unit while yours is repaired. Mark "line down" on the request form and add the part number.

Related: AL.25 · AL.50 · AL.16 and AL.20

Brand names identify the units we repair. Star Automations is an independent multi-brand repair company and is not an OEM service centre.