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FPS 3000 Troubleshooting Simulator

FPS 3000
Troubleshooting Simulator

Bring Hands-on Troubleshooting into your lab or workplace with this Industrial Control System Simulator.

This Fluid Processing System simulator builds skills required to troubleshoot Industrial Control Systems.




Highlights
About the Simulation
Simulation Features
System Faults
 Evaluating Skills
Available Editions
 More Screen Shots
 System Diagrams and Prints
 Download a PDF Brochure FPS 3000 Troubleshooting Simulator Click to enlarge

Highlights back to top

  • Troubleshoot actual faults on this control system simulation
  • Enforces safe work practices while Troubleshooting
  • Shows new techniques and processes for solving faults
  • Over 30 challenging faults to solve
  • Evaluates troubleshooting skills
  • Provides feedback on troubleshooting steps
  • Instructor resources are available

About this Simulation back to top

This is a realistic simulation of an industrial process for mixing and processing liquids. The simulated system uses 480 volts AC 3 phase for its power portion consisting of:

  • Pump, Agitator, Heaters
  • Motors, Transformers
  • Contactors, Overloads

The control portion of the system consists of a variety of components typically found in industrial control systems such as:

  • Temperature, Float, & Selector Switches
  • Relays, Timers, Pushbuttons
  • Solenoid Valves, Fuses, Indicators
  • Wiring, Terminal Blocks, Wire Connectors
 FPS 3000 Troubleshooting Simulator Click to enlarge

This Troubleshooting simulator has over 30 built in faults to solve These faults simulate both electrical and mechanical failures. Users can interact with the simulation just like a real system. They can:

  • Operate the system remotely or locally
  • Take Voltage, Resistance and Current measurements with a multimeter
  • Inspect, Repair and Replace components
  • Disconnect and ring out wires.

Simulation Features back to top

This simulation is realistic and accurate. It has many features that make it an excellent tool for developing troubleshooting skills.

  • This simulation is lifelike, having the tools normally used to troubleshoot equipment such as this. Taking meter readings, removing wires, inspecting and replacing components are all standard features.
  • It is modeled on real equipment. The behavior of the system and components are accurate under normal and faulty conditions and even when wires are disconnected.
  • Equipment models are accurate. The readings taken in the simulation are virtually the same as readings taken on real equipment.

Taking current readings in the power circuit
Taking current readings in the power circuit

Taking resistance reading in the control circuit
Taking resistance readings in the control circuit

Disconnecting wires in the heater access panel
Disconnecting wires in the heater access panel

Replacing the Agitator mechanism
Replacing the Agitator mechanism

The System Faults back to top

This simulation contains many types of defects designed to give the user practice on a wide range of potential problems. Typical types of failures are:

  • Opens in components or wiring
  • Shorts in components or wiring
  • Defects in component mechanisms
  • Overloaded and defective 3 phase motors and protective equipment
  • Opens and shorts in 3 phase circuits
  • Defective mechanical components

Faults are organized by difficulty level (Basic, Intermediate and Advanced). Each level has three types of faults: Guided, Practice, and Skill Test.

Guided and Practice faults provide techniques, tips and a place to practice your skills. Skill Test faults evaluate your results and provide feedback.

Monitoring and Feedback

As faults are attempted, the program monitors each step from a safety perspective. Unsafe steps that could cause personal injury, break a safety rule, or break safe work practices, cause feedback to be provided in the form of an error message.

The testing procedures used are also monitored, providing tips or warnings as necessary.		 Personal Injury Error Personal Injury Error

Evaluating Skills back to top

The program evaluates a user’s troubleshooting skill on each fault attempt as well as provides an Overall Program Summary Evaluation.

Fault Evaluation

Each attempt to solve and repair a fault is evaluated based on standard set of criteria.

Successful Fault Completion Criteria:

  • Fault must be correctly repaired
  • No safety errors occurred
  • No components unnecessarily replaced
  • Fault repaired within time allowed
  • Fault repaired within allowed troubleshooting process rating

If the criteria are not met, the fault is marked incomplete and the fault will have to be attempted again. The reasons for failure will be displayed.

If the criteria are met, the fault is marked complete and a rating is shown for the attempt. The Skill Rating takes into account the results of the current attempt plus the results of any previous attempt.

 Evaluation of troubleshooting results against several criteria Evaluation of troubleshooting results against several criteria

Overall Summary

When completed, the program summarizes all the user’s results and provides an overall summary of their results.

The Skill Rating takes into account the difficulty of each fault completed. The more difficult a fault the more it impacts the Skill Rating.

Also shown in this summary is a list of the major errors. This information is important in determining areas for improvement. (Industrial Edition only)

 Summary Screen when program is complete. Notice the bonus tab which also becomes available. Summary Screen when program is complete. Notice the bonus tab which also becomes available.

Available Editions back to top

This program is available in two editions: Compare Editions

The Workbench Edition provides evaluation and feedback for each fault attempt. It is suitable for situations where developing troubleshooting skills and providing practice is more important than the documentation of results. This edition does not include reporting or other instructor resources.

The Industrial Edition includes all the features of the workbench edition plus an additional 20 faults, instructor resources and a more detailed evaluation system. Documentation of results, individual and group reporting, and certificates for successful completion make this edition suitable for use in formal training programs.


More Screen Shots back to top

FPS 3000 System Overview
System Overview
Identifies the function of key system components.

FPS 3000 How it Works
How it Works
A detailed step by step sequence shows the operation of all electrical components in the system.
Fault Selection Screen for the Industrial Edition
Industrial Edition Fault Selection Screen showing fault completion progress.		 Level Summary Screen for the Industrial Edition
Industrial Edition Level Summary Screen graphically shows the results of the Skill Test faults.
Comprehensive Help System
Help System is available from within the simulator. 		Certificate of Completion
Certificate is provided on successful completion of the program.

System Diagrams back to top

The following links display all the system diagrams in PDF format.
Simutech Store
The complete line of Simutech's Troubleshooting Software can be purchased through our online store.

Purchase Now
Are These Programs For You?
These programs are designed for anyone who wishes to improve their troubleshooting skills. They can be used in educational programs, industrial courses and by individuals.

Learn troubleshooting Find out more how these programs can meet your needs.
Program Editions
The FPS 3000 Troubleshooting Simulator is available in 2 editions: Workbench and Industrial.

Troubleshooting training Find out more on which Edition is best for you.
An Effective Training Tool
Simutech's Electrical Troubleshooting programs are designed to be highly effective learning tools and have been awarded top honors for their educational and training value.

Industrial troubleshooting Find out why the Electrical Troubleshooting Skills Series is such an effective learning tool.
Simulation Features
The Electrical Troubleshooting Skills Series makes extensive use of detailed electrical simulations.

Maintenance training Find out more about the features which make these simulations so realistic.
Additional Troubleshooting Resources
Articles on Electrical Troubleshooting; Tips on using the Troubleshooting programs; Downloadable information on the Troubleshooting Skills Series.

Troubleshooting electrical problemAll these and more are available on the Troubleshooting Resource page.
What our Customers are Saying
"It [Troubleshooting - Motor Controls] is one of the best educational software I have used to date. I especially like the tracking system and would like to see it applied to other software. 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 troubleshoot 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 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!"
"I am very impressed with this software."
"My first and lasting impression of your e-learning software is that it's outstanding. It's fun, realistic, and informative. I believe it's a real world approach to training without the injuries, equipment damage, and costs that could result from initial OJT."

Electrical training Find out what others are saying.
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