Electrical Troubleshooting

Let’s face it: Equipment breaks down. The frequency of failures can be minimized by performing regular maintenance and diagnostic testing but in the end, some equipment will still fail unexpectedly.

What effects could these unexpected failures have?

Depending on the type of system that the failure occurs in, the effects can be quite varied.

In some cases, the malfunctioning piece of equipment may be in a system that is not critical. This system may have overrides, back up systems, or other characteristics that make getting it repaired and back into service a lower priority. Repairing this equipment may not be time critical, but it must be done.

Other malfunctioning equipment could be part of more critical systems that are not tolerant to outages. These systems generally must be brought back on line as soon as possible. Some of the impacts of the failure of these systems could be:

Jeopardized personal safety
Loss of revenue due to lack of product
Loss of revenue due to spoiled batches
Production staff sent home
Penalties for not meeting delivery guarantees

When any equipment malfunctions, staff must be sent out to troubleshoot and repair the system.

So what is electrical troubleshooting?
Electrical troubleshooting is the process of analyzing the behavior or operation of faulty equipment to determine what is wrong with it. It then involves identifying the defective component(s) by analyzing the circuit and testing components with a meter. Once the problem components are found the equipment can then be repaired.

Depending on the type of equipment, electrical troubleshooting can be a very challenging task. Sometimes problems are easily diagnosed and the problem component easily visible. Other times the symptoms as well as the faulty component can be difficult to diagnose. For example, a defective relay with visual signs of burning should be easy to spot, whereas an intermittent problem caused by a high resistance connection can be much more difficult to find.

Troubleshooting electrical equipment is an important skill for electrical staff, however it can be hazardous - especially when troubleshooting electrical equipment that is energized. Testing often requires the troubleshooter to temporarily connect test instruments to 'live' terminals which may involve opening enclosures or cabinets that normally are locked or bolted closed to protect workers.

What are the benefits of having staff trained in troubleshooting?

Trained troubleshooters understand the hazards and are able to troubleshoot equipment safely.

Trained troubleshooters use techniques and processes that can get the systems back up and running quickly. This saves money by reducing the time the system is off line. This results in less spoiled batches, less downtime of production, and less risk of production penalties.

Trained troubleshooters use a systematic approach to analyze and test the circuit to determine the defective components. They do not troubleshoot by replacing components until the system works. This again saves time and money by not replacing properly functioning equipment.

Trained Troubleshooters can improve the bottom line. Don’t think of the costs of training your staff to troubleshoot an expense, think of it as an investment that will pay dividends!

So where can I get great Electrical Troubleshooting Training?
Simutech has developed a series of simulation based, Electrical Troubleshooting Training programs that can help you to ensure that you, your staff, or your students learn effective Troubleshooting Skills. To find out more about this highly effective training software, visit the following link: Troubleshooting Training Software.