Drive Repair Service — Newcastle Upon Tyne
AC, DC & servo
drive repair specialists.
When a drive fails, production stops. We repair AC drives, DC drives, inverters, and servo drives at component level — diagnosing the fault, repairing it, and returning the unit tested and ready for service. Faster and cheaper than replacement.
Drives are the most commonly repaired industrial electronic component we see. Whether it's an AC variable speed drive, a DC motor controller, a servo amplifier, or an inverter — we diagnose the fault at component level, repair it, configure it to your machine's requirements, and return it tested and ready to run.
Drive types we repair
Variable speed drives and frequency inverters for AC induction motors. The most common drive type in industrial use.
DC motor controllers and thyristor drives. Common in older industrial machinery and applications requiring precise speed control.
Servo amplifiers and axis drives for CNC, robotics, and precision motion control applications.
Stand-alone inverters and frequency converters for industrial, marine, and offshore power applications.
We also repair soft starters, spindle drives, regenerative drives, and multi-axis drive systems. If your drive type is not listed, contact us — we assess most industrial drive technology.
Drive faults we diagnose and repair
Failed IGBTs, diode bridges, and power modules identified and replaced. The most common cause of drive failure in AC and servo drives.
DC bus and filter capacitors degraded or failed — common in drives over 5–7 years old. Replaced as part of repair or preventive refurbishment.
Gate driver circuits that fail to fire or fire incorrectly cause power section damage. Identified and repaired before power components are replaced.
Processor, memory, and analogue control faults on the drive's main control PCB diagnosed and repaired at component level.
Drives that trip immediately on power-up or under load. Root cause identified — whether hardware, configuration, or application-related.
Cooling fans, thermal sensors, and heatsink assemblies that cause overtemperature shutdowns inspected and replaced.
Fieldbus and communication card failures — Profibus, Modbus, CANopen — preventing drives from receiving signals from PLCs and control systems.
Failed thyristors and SCRs in DC drives and soft starters identified and replaced. Full power section testing after repair.
Component-level repair — fault found and fixed, not just parts swapped
Repair and configuration — returned ready to run
A repaired drive is only useful if it's set up correctly for your machine. When a drive is repaired or replaced, the settings inside it — speed ranges, acceleration ramps, motor data, and communication parameters — must match your specific motor and process exactly. Otherwise the drive will behave differently even if the hardware is perfect.
We back up parameters before work begins where possible, and restore or reconfigure the drive before it leaves us. If the original parameter file is lost, we work from your motor nameplate data and application requirements to set the drive up correctly.
- Parameter backup and restoration before and after repair
- Motor data entry and auto-tune to match drive to motor
- Speed, torque, and process control settings
- Communication protocol setup — Profibus, Modbus, CANopen
- Full settings documentation provided with your repair report
This is included as part of the repair service — you receive a drive that is ready to install and run, not one that still needs setting up on site.
Our drive repair process
Incoming electrical safety check
Before any diagnostic work begins, the drive undergoes a dead test and insulation check to confirm it's safe to power up. This protects the unit from further damage and our engineers from an unknown fault condition.
Component-level power section diagnosis
We test the IGBTs, diode bridges, capacitors, and gate drivers individually to find exactly which component failed and why. This is what separates a proper repair from parts-swapping — and it's what stops the same fault coming back.
Written quote
Once the fault is confirmed at component level, you get a written price covering parts and labour. If the drive is beyond economic repair, we tell you clearly and explain why — no pressure to proceed.
Repair & parameter recovery
Faulty components are replaced to original specification. In parallel, we restore or rebuild your parameter set from backed-up data or motor nameplate details, so the drive is configured to run exactly as it did before failure.
Load-tested commissioning
The drive is run under electrical load on our test rig, not just powered up on the bench. This catches faults that only show under the same stress that caused the original failure — before it leaves us, not after it's back on your machine.
Return with settings documentation
Your drive is returned with a full report covering the fault found, work carried out, and final parameter settings — ready for your maintenance records and ISO 9001 audit requirements.
Our drive repair workshop
Drive manufacturers we repair
Industries we serve
Drive failures occur across every industrial sector. We carry out drive repair for customers from offshore platforms to food production lines — anywhere a motor needs controlling.
Variable speed drives and motor controllers on offshore platforms, rigs, and subsea equipment.
View service →Propulsion drives, thruster controls, and deck machinery drives on commercial vessels.
View service →Production line drives, conveyor controllers, and spindle drives on automated machinery.
View service →Drive systems on automotive assembly equipment, test rigs, and production line machinery.
View service →Drives on pumping stations, wind turbines, and power generation equipment.
View service →Drive systems on grain handling, irrigation, and agricultural processing equipment.
View service →Hoist and crane drives, concrete plant controls, and construction equipment electronics.
View service →Drive systems on shipyard cranes, welding equipment, and new-build vessel fit-out.
View service →Why customers choose NPE for drive repair
Drive repair is one of our most common services. Here is what our customers tell us matters most.
A drive that's hardware-repaired but wrongly configured will behave differently on your motor. We back up, restore, or rebuild your parameter set from motor nameplate data so the unit runs exactly as it did before failure.
Every repaired drive is run under electrical load on our test rig, not just powered up on the bench. IGBTs, capacitors, and gate drivers are verified under the same stress that caused the original failure.
Many AC, DC, and servo drives still in service were discontinued years ago. We hold parts and repair experience for older drive ranges that most repairers won't touch — get in touch if yours is obsolete.
You get a written price covering parts and labour once the fault is confirmed at component level — agreed with you before any work begins.
Every job includes a report showing the fault found, components replaced, and final parameter settings — useful for ISO audits and your own asset history.
Our ISO 9001 and NOF membership are audited to the standard offshore and energy operators require of their supply chain — not just a badge on a website.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if my drive's parameters were lost when it failed?
We work from your motor nameplate data and application requirements to rebuild them correctly. We always recommend backing up parameters before a failure occurs — and where a drive can still be powered safely, we back them up before any repair work begins.
How do you test a repaired drive before it's sent back?
We run it under electrical load on our test rig, not just power it up on the bench. This is what catches faults that only appear under the same stress that caused the original failure — we don't return a drive until it has passed that test.
How do I send my drive for repair?
Contact us first with the drive make, model, and fault description. We'll confirm we can help and advise on packaging — drives need to be packaged securely to avoid transit damage. We accept drives by courier, and can arrange collection for larger or heavier units.
Is it worth repairing an old drive?
In most cases, yes — especially for discontinued models where a new replacement is expensive or unavailable. Repair typically costs a fraction of buying new. For very old drives or those with extensive damage, we assess each case individually and advise honestly if repair is not the right option.
What if my drive fails again shortly after repair?
We test every drive before return. If a fault recurs after repair, contact us — we will investigate and advise. In some cases, a recurrent fault indicates an application problem (such as a motor issue causing the drive to trip) rather than a repair failure. We work with you to identify the cause.
Do you offer a warranty on drive repairs?
Warranty terms depend on the type of repair and the condition of the drive. Where applicable, warranty details are confirmed in writing at the time of quotation.
Can you repair a drive on-site if it cannot be removed?
In some cases, yes. Contact us to discuss your situation — we can advise whether on-site repair is practical for your equipment, or whether it can be temporarily replaced while the repair is carried out at our workshop.