BASIC ELECTRICAL FAULT-FINDING
COURSE 220: 1 DAY
A logical approach to finding faults on electrical systems can bring enormous benefits to personnel responsible for the maintenance of industrial machinery and systems. This course gives participants the opportunity to analyse the symptoms of basic faults (ie: open circuit, short circuit and insulation breakdown) and apply logical methods of finding these faults.
PARTICIPANTS
The course is intended for participants who already possess a basic understanding of electrical engineering - either electricians or those that have successfully completed course 110: Electrical maintenance skills.
COURSE PRESENTATION
The course is presented using a range of electrical systems with faults built in. The candidates practice on these systems, and are guided by the instructor to ensure that they employ suitable methods of finding the faults. Importantly, the course focuses on the practical aspects of finding faults on real systems without labouring on the formal approaches to fault-finding that traditionally dominate this subject area.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
On completion of the course, participants will be able to
- recognise the symptoms of electrical faults
- recognise basic electrical faults (open circuits, short circuits and insulation breakdown)
- use test equipment to safely check for electrical faults
- use circuit diagrams, block diagrams and flowcharts to locate faults
- use logical methods to diagnose electrical faults
- correctly diagnose faults on a range of electrical systems.
Successful completion of the course leads to the award of Amicus / Technical Training Solutions competence certificate 220: Basic Electrical Fault-Finding.
What do candidates on the Basic Electrical Fault-finding course actually do?
We begin by discussing the most common fault conditions e.g. Open Circuit, Short Circuit and Insulation Breakdown. The candidates are provided with course notes that explain how these faults can be found in real industrial electrical systems.
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The candidates are then given fault simulation rigs and test equipment. The simulation rigs present the candidates with industrial sensors, relays and switches that provide a baffling array of faults and symptoms. In some cases the candidates may not immediately be aware of any faults as the equipment appears to be working correctly.
However, by using the logical methods discussed and the equipment provided, candidates are able to successfully diagnose faults that impact upon safety as well as functionality alone. This builds confidence and enables the candidate to suggest the necessary actions to effect a suitable repair.
The simulated faults range from welded switch contacts and burnt out relay coils to faulty proximity sensors. All testing is carried out in complete safety because the fault rigs (which have both control and load circuits) operate from 24v dc and 24v ac.
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