Troubleshooting Skills Series
Simulation Features

Introduction

We believe that simulations are one of the best methods to learn a skill especially one that can be hazardous. Airlines use flight simulators to train the pilots and Nuclear Power plants use simulations to train their operators. In both of these scenarios mistakes can be catastrophic. When troubleshooting, the results of mistakes can also be disastrous. Injury, loss of life and major plant shutdowns are just not acceptable!

Simutech Multimedia's Simulations

The purpose of Simutech's troubleshooting programs are to allow a user to develop and master the skill of troubleshooting electrical faults on various types of equipment.

The simulations used in each of the Troubleshooting Skills programs are highly realistic representations of electrical systems and behave like the real circuit would. They allow you to operate the system, troubleshoot faults, and repair a variety of faulty components and wiring.

Each component in the simulation is designed to work just like the real one. This allows the simulation to behave properly under all conditions including fault conditions. If you make any changes to the circuit, such as disconnecting a wire or removing a fuse, the circuit will function accordingly. Even the meter readings will display accurate readings for all circuit conditions. These are true simulations!

Simulation Interface

The visual interface we created is clear, easy to use, and visually represents real equipment, circuits and systems in great detail. We designed it so anyone using the simulation to feel like they were actually working on real equipment.

An artist's representation of the equipment and system is used for the main simulation interface. These graphics allow us to represent the equipment and components in clear detail making this interface clear and understandable. The style of these graphics are such that the simulations have a game-like feel to them.

Another feature about the interface is that the user troubleshoots on the equipment teminals and connections as opposed to schematic diagrams, making the simulation even more realistic.

Main Simulation Interface

Simulator Functions and Features

While using the simulation you can do the following:

• Operate the equipment or system through the use of pushbuttons and other controls.
• Use the observe feature to check for other clues to the cause of the fault using all your senses.
• Analyze the circuit behavior using a variety of troubleshooting tools to identify problem components and repair the circuit (See more about the troubleshooting tools below).
• View electrical drawings of the simulated system such as schematics and electrical wiring diagrams.
• Assess and improve your troubleshooting skills using the built-in feedback and evaluation system.

Connections Within the Simulation

Realistic Troubleshooting Tools

While using these electrical simulations you are able to perform virtually every operation used on real equipment such as:

• Operate the equipment or system through the use of pushbuttons and other controls.
• Use the observe feature to check for other clues to the cause of the fault using all your senses.
• Using a realistic multimeter you can take Voltage readings, Resistance readings, and Current readings.
• Wires can be removed in order to remove parallel paths while taking ohmmeter readings or other types of testing.
• Replace virtually any component or wire.
• Operate components manually. In addition to push buttons and selector swithes, components such as limit switches and safety switches can be operated manually using the mouse.
• The circuit can be locked out in order to comply with safety rules while troubleshooting.

Taking Meter Readings

Real Operation

Components operate just like the real components

Great detail went into designing the components so that the simulations would behave properly under all conditions. Here are a few examples:

• Motors operate correctly with actual behavior such as start up currents, and running currents based on actual loads. They even behave properly under fault conditions such as overloads and single phasing.
• Overloads trip at the proper time depending on the current.
• Pushbuttons operate correctly. Pressing a normally open pushbutton with your mouse causes the contacts to close while lifting your finger from the mouse causes the contacts to open.

Fault Finding

This is what these programs are designed for

The simulations can be operated under normal conditions but the real value is to apply faults to the circuits for the user to solve. There are various types of faults that can be applied to the circuit simulation such as shorts, opens, and defective mechanical parts. Each fault is designed to present a particular type of problem which allows the user to get practice on a broad variety of faults.

Faults are ranked by difficulty level. When the user wishes to attempt a fault, they select a difficulty level and a random fault is provided. The following levels are typically available in each program:

• Basic faults are the simplest of the faults and consist of a one faulted component per fault.
• Intermediate faults are a somewhat more difficult than the basic faults and also consist of one faulted component per fault.
• Advanced faults are the most difficult of the faults which mostly contain only one defective component.
• Genius level faults contain several defective components which make them the most difficult of all.

Fault Selection Screen

Monitoring and Feedback

Simulations monitor your steps and provide feedback

One of the unique features of these simulations is that they continually monitor every step you make while troubleshooting. This includes taking meter readings, operating the system, getting tips, making observations etc. Each of these activities is monitored and used to provide timely feedback while troubleshooting. They are also recorded to be used in the evaluation of the fault attempt and the overall assessment. Some of the areas where the programs provide feedback are:

• Safety
  Your troubleshooting process is monitored for adherence to safety rules. Lockout/tag-out processes apply as well as other safety rules. When a safety error is made the user will receive an error message. The type of message and severity of the message varies depending of the severity of the error.
• Troubleshooting techniques
  The simulations monitor activities while troubleshooting to determine if your testing techniques are following the suggestions set out in earlier sections of these programs. When the program sees that there could be a better approach it will provide you with a "TIP".
• Which components were replaced
  The simulations keep track of which circuit components have been replaced. Each component has a cost associated with it in terms of both money and time. The money is for the cost of the component and the time is for the time it would actually take to replace this component. The total amount of time and dollars spent fault finding is always displayed on the simulation screen. This feedback is provided once you have completed the fault
• How long it took to repair the circuit
  As you troubleshoot the system, the time you spend solving the fault is measured and displayed. This time consists of actual time you spend, plus the additional time spent for performing other activities such as replacing components.

Evaluation

Evaluates your Troubleshooting Skills

Once you have completed a fault, the program will then evaluate your results. It evaluates your fault attempt against the following criteria. If the criteria is met the fault is deemed to be successful and is marked complete.

• Has the fault been repaired and the circuit operating properly
• Safety - Did any safety errors occur
• Components - Were any components unnecessarily replaced
• Cost - Were the costs within allotted amount
• Time - Did the time exceed the allowed time for completion

The simulation provides an overall assessment and score for your troubleshooting results on a per fault basis, per level basis, and for the overall program. It even creates a log of every step you make while troubleshooting. This information can be viewed using the reports feature. To find out more on how the evaluation and scoring works please go to Why these programs are such an effective learning tool.

To see for yourself why not check out the Troubleshooting Skill Series.