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Troubleshooting Skills Software
Simulation Features

Simulations are one of the best methods to learn a skill, especially one that can be hazardous.

Airlines use flight simulators to train pilots, and nuclear power plants use simulations to train their operators. In both of these scenarios mistakes can be catastrophic. When troubleshooting electrical circuits the results of mistakes can also be disastrous. Injury, loss of life and major plant shutdowns are just not acceptable!


About Our Simulations

The purpose of all our Troubleshooting Skills software is to help you develop and master the skill of troubleshooting electrical faults, on various types of equipment.

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

Each component in the simulations 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
A Realistic Motor Lab Simulation
A Realistic Motor Lab Simulation
Click to see larger image
accordingly. Even the meter readings will display accurate readings for all circuit conditions.

Simulation Environments

The visual interface of each simulation is clear, easy to use, and visually represents real equipment, circuits and systems in great detail. The environments are designed so that anyone using the simulation feels like they are actually working on real equipment.

Main Simulation Environment from Troubleshooting Motor Circuits
Main Simulation Environment of Troubleshooting Motor Circuits
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The simulation environments use an artist's representation of the equipment and system. These graphics, which give the simulations a game-like feel, represent the equipment and components in clear detail, making them clear and understandable.

The simulation environments make your troubleshooting training realistic because you troubleshoot on the equipment teminals and connections, as opposed to schematic diagrams.


Simulator Functions and Features

While training in the simulations you can do the following:

  • Operate the equipment or system through the use of pushbuttons, switches, and other controls.
  • Use all of your senses to check for clues as to the cause of the fault, using the powerful Observe tool.
  • Analyze circuit behavior, using a variety of troubleshooting tools, to identify problem components and repair the circuit.
  • View electrical drawings of the simulated system such as schematics and connection wiring diagrams.
  • Assess and improve your troubleshooting skills using the feedback and evaluation system.

Realistic Troubleshooting Tools

The simulation environments allow you to perform virtually every operation that can be done on real equipment, such as:

  • Taking voltage, resistance and current readings with the realistic multimeter.
  • Removing, tracing and replacing wires.
  • Removing, inspecting and replacing faulty components.
  • Operating components, such as pushbuttons, selector switches, limit switches, and safety switches manually.
  • Locking out the circuit in order to comply with safety regulations while troubleshooting.
Taking Meter Readings in a Circuit
Taking Meter Readings in a Circuit
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Realistic Component Operation

Great detail went into designing the components so that the simulations behave accurately 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 accurately. 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

While they can be operated under normal conditions, the real value of the simulations is that faults can be applied to the circuits for you to diagnose and repair.

There are various types of faults such as shorts, opens, and defective components.

Each fault is designed to present a particular type of problem which will allow you to get practice solving a broad range of problems.

Faults are ranked into Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, and Genius difficulty levels.

Fault Selection Screen
Fault Selection Screen
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Monitoring and 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/tagout 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".
  • Replaced Components
    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
  • Time Taken
    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

Once you have completed a fault your results are evaluated. 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 is 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 programs provide 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 see Why these programs are such an effective learning tool.

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



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Customer Testimonials
"It [Troubleshooting - Motor Controls] is one of the best educational software I have used...I especially like the tracking system...All in all a truly exceptional product."

"Having completed this series myself, this is one of the best tools I've ever seen. It's an extremely realistic way to learn and refine your troubleshooting skills without the expense, mistakes, and pressure from the employer. I would recommend this software for everyone and anyone, both novice and advanced."

"It had some challenging faults that actually helped me improve my troubleshooting skills which I have since been able to apply on my current job as an industrial electrician. For learning and value it was excellent."

"Let me first say how great your program is. A great way to hone my troubleshooting skills. Some people will get up in the morning and have a coffee and play a game of solitaire on the computer. Myself, even though I have finished all three programs, I still try to solve one or two in the morning with my coffee. Just waiting for a new series to be released."

"I love the TMC program. It really helps my students improve their troubleshooting skills...TMC does a great job at teaching troubleshooting fundamentals. When my students are troubleshooting my electrically live motor control trainers, I have to be on my toes so they don't injure themselves. With TMC I don't have to worry if they get ZAPPED and I can have over a dozen of them troubleshooting at the same time. I can't do that with my real trainers."

"I think that you're onto a good thing here. Programs like yours definitely help sharpen my skills in a discipline that I feel is as much art as it is science. I thank you for the obvious effort you've put into these programs."

"Having 15 years experience in dual trade of Electrician and Instrument Tech in various industries, I can say that there is nothing else like your software out there in the market or educational sector."

"The software is working out great and I've seen the difference in the few people I've already run through the programs. The more practice I can get these new troubleshooters, the better."

"My thanks to all who had a hand in developing this series of programs and filling a gap which sadly still exists today in the untaught and poorly learnt art of troubleshooting and fault finding."

"I am using my program and I am enjoying it immensely already. I've been showing the demo portion to my shipmates and several are definitely interested in getting the program as well. Thanks again!"

"Here's a little bit of feedback on your Troubleshooting Software. First off, the guys here love the programs. A couple of them even use it on their lunch time!"

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