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TECHNICAL TRAINING

Troubleshooting By Brian Giop, Manager International Services

Whether you are on a Loram machine rolling down two pieces of parallel
steel or sitting in your office (even home office). At some point in your fu-
ture there will be a fault on a device or system you are using. This can be a
complete failure of that system/component or that it is not acting or reacting
in a normal fashion. When such an occurrence rears its ugly head there are
steps that should be followed to either fix the system or gather information
to get the help you need to fix the culprit.

These steps are called troubleshooting.

1. Gathering Information. The first step of any troubleshooting exercise involves gathering as
much information about the problem as possible. This includes knowing how the system/
device should be working, any schematics or technical information manuals on the item. Do
you have someone familiar with the system available? DO NOT start changing parts and
pieces to figure out where the problem may be located.
• Understand the failure and how that failure affects the entire process. When you un-
derstand how the system or device should work you can better understand what part
of it is not functioning correctly.

• Identify what can be measured so that you can identify items that are outside the ac-
ceptable range. Examples include: Are there voltages or temperature readings that
would help pinpoint the issue. If there is an alarm code or popup take note of such
information.

3. Identify the source of the problem using available data and analytical processes.

4. Correct/repair/replace the damaged component or system. Please note, only repair if you
are qualified to conduct such repairs, if you are not sure if you are qualified…then you are
probably not qualified.

5. Test the system or device after the repair or replacement. Once the repair has been per-
formed, start the system/device to ensure it now runs as expected. This step is very im-
portant as there may have been other root problems such as a shorted wire and you re-
placed the fuse. In this example the replacement would not be the solution to your fault.
6. Perform root cause analysis to determine what really caused the issue. To keep the occur-
rence from appearing in the future we must know what caused the original issue.

Many people do these steps without even knowing they are following them. As an example, you are in your car that
your teenage child borrowed, and the check fuel light comes on. Most people would not jump to the conclusion that
there must be a leak in the fuel tank, they would run through the possible scenarios, using the steps above to some
degree in their head and come to the conclusion their child did not put fuel in the car.
Continued

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