ABB ACS560 Local/Remote Option Missing?

Is the LOC/REM button not working on your ABB ACS560? Discover the specific parameters that disable local control and learn how to fix it in seconds.

 

ABB ACS560 Local/Remote Option Not Showing? Here’s the Fix.

You’re standing in front of your ABB ACS560, ready to test the motor. You reach for the Loc/Rem button (or the Hand/Auto keys) to take manual control, and… nothing. The drive stays in "Remote" and refuses to switch to "Local."

It’s a frustrating moment, especially when you just need to jog the motor for a quick test. The good news? Your drive isn’t broken. In 99% of cases, the local control has been disabled in the parameters as a safety precaution. Let's get it back.

Why is the Local/Remote Option Missing?

In many industrial plants, engineers "lock out" the local control. This ensures that an operator can't accidentally take control of a drive that is supposed to be managed by a PLC or a Scada system. If the option isn't working, the drive is simply following its programming: "Ignore the keypad, only listen to the remote signal."

The Solution: Checking Parameter 19.17

The "Master Switch" for this feature on the ACS560 is Parameter 19.17 (Local Control Disable). Here is how to check and change it:

1. Press the Menu button on your keypad.
2. Navigate to Parameters and select Complete List.
3. Scroll down to Group 19 (Operation Mode).
4. Find Parameter 19.17 (Local Control Disable).
5. If this is set to [1] Yes, the Loc/Rem button is disabled.
6. Change the value to [0] No and press Save.

As soon as you change this to "No," your Loc/Rem button should become active again immediately.

Other Reasons the Keypad Might Feel "Locked"

1. The "Hand/Off/Auto" Keypad Style

If you are using the Assistant Control Panel (the one with the screen), you might not see a button labeled "Loc/Rem." Instead, you have Hand, Off, and Auto buttons.

• Hand: Switches to Local control and starts the drive.
• Auto: Switches back to Remote control (PLC/Digital Inputs).

If pressing "Hand" does nothing, refer back to Parameter 19.17 mentioned above.

2. Keypad Connection Issues

Sometimes the "option" isn't showing because the keypad isn't fully seated.

• If the screen is flickering or the buttons feel "mushy," try removing the keypad and snapping it back into the cradle firmly.
• If you are using a remote cable to mount the keypad on a cabinet door, check for loose pins in the RJ45 connector.

3. PLC Force Logic

In very rare cases, a PLC might be sending a command over Modbus or Profinet that "forces" the drive into a specific state. However, on the ACS560, the internal parameter 19.17 is almost always the culprit.

Safety Reminder

Before you enable Local control, make sure it is safe to do so. Taking a drive into "Local" means the PLC and safety interlocks (depending on how they are wired) might be bypassed. Ensure no one is working on the motor before you hit that start button!

Summary

When the ABB ACS560 Local/Remote option is missing, don't overthink it. Go straight to Group 19, check Parameter 19.17, and set it to "No." This simple change will give you back control of your machine.