For any technician in the field, sometimes the simplest tool is the most effective. When you need to quickly test a servo motor or make a simple manual move without hooking up a host controller, the built-in JOG mode on the drive itself is your best friend.
While dedicated software provides more data, this panel-operated function is a fast and easy way to diagnose basic issues. As a technician who frequently works on CNC machines, this is a fundamental skill I use all the time.
This guide will serve as a clear, no-nonsense cheat sheet for using JOG mode on two of the most common servo drive series you'll encounter: Mitsubishi's MR-J3-A and Yaskawa's SIGMA-5.
See It in Action First
The process is easier shown than told. For a clear visual walkthrough, the entire process for both drives is in the video below.
Mitsubishi MR-J3-A Series: The Cheat Sheet
1. Enter JOG Mode:
① MODE → Find “rd-oF” or “rd-on”
② UP/DOWN → Select “TEST1”
③ SET (Hold >2s) → JOG Mode Entered
2. Operate Motor:
UP: Rotate CCW (Counter-Clockwise)
DOWN: Rotate CW (Clockwise)
3. Exit JOG Mode:
SET (Hold >2s) → Mode Exited
Yaskawa SIGMA-5 (SGDV) Series: The Cheat Sheet
1. Enter JOG Mode:
① MODE/SET → Find “Fn000”
② ▲/▼ → Select “Fn002”
③ DATA/◀ (Hold ~1s) → Parameter Set
④ MODE/SET → Servo ON
2. Operate Motor:
▲ (UP): Forward Rotation
▼ (DOWN): Reverse Rotation
3. Exit JOG Mode:
① MODE/SET → Servo OFF
② DATA/◀ (Hold ~1s) → Mode Exited
Final Thoughts
The basic principle is nearly identical across brands. After a few tries, this process will become second nature. It's a simple but essential skill for any technician's toolkit.
