Page 6 - September 2022 Track N Times

TECHNICAL TRAINING

Troubleshooting: The Art of Getting Out of a Bind

By: Donald Dougherty, Senior Technician

When problems occur on a piece of equipment there are techniques,
procedures, and strategies to identify the issue and fix the equipment.
This activity is what we call troubleshooting.
A very important rule to remember is a very high percentage of
problems end up being the simplest of things. This basic rule will
save much time and frustration. Experience teaches this lesson repeat-
edly. Keeping this in mind will help avoid “over-thinking” the problem
and allow you to go the root cause sooner.

Troubleshooting steps include but are not limited to the following:

Identification/Observation: A good first step is to identify and un-
derstand the problem. If you did not personally experience the failure,
it’s crucial to gather as much information as possible from the person(s)
who did. Ask questions regarding noises, smells, or in extreme cases sparks or smoke coming from the affected unit.
Also, have them describe any variations in overall performance. There usually will be clues that can help with the trou-
bleshooting. Take the “big picture” approach when observing or surveying the failed unit.
Develop a Baseline: Make use of all available documentation on hand, particularly schematics. If these are not read-
ily available, many Loram machines are “redundant” in that they have systems that repeat throughout the machine. It
is useful to compare working parts against non-working parts. This provides a reference or a “living blueprint”.
Measurement: Make sure you are trained on the safe and proper use of test equipment. Being familiar with test
equipment gives you confidence that the readings you take are accurate and relevant. Often, comparing readings from
the schematic or a good “living blueprint” will lead you to the source of the problem.

Develop a Theory: Using the previous steps to make an educated guess as to where the problem is.

Decide on a Plan: Decide on how to replace the faulty device, repair bad wiring, or make needed adjustments.
Execute the Plan: Replace the suspected part(s) and make needed repairs or adjustments.

Test the Functionality: Testing the functionality of the unit for proper operation afterward to confirm your re-

pairs were successful.
Document your findings: Document by taking notes of the steps used to solve the problem. This will help future
troubleshooting efforts and help others if they encounter a similar problem.
Troubleshooting styles and techniques vary depending on the person or situation. Using these steps will guide you to
the right path to solve the problem quickly and efficiently.

As always, if you see any of us from the tech services department while visiting your machine, please feel free to ask
us questions. We are glad to help.

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