Carrying out fault location on communication-electronic systems
Overview
This standard identifies the competences you need to locate faults on communication-electronic systems, in accordance with approved procedures. You will be required to locate faults on a range of communication-electronic systems, sub- systems, assemblies or components at line replacement unit (LRU) level. You will be expected to use a variety of fault location methods and procedures, such as gathering information from the person who reported the fault, using recognised fault finding techniques and diagnostic aids, measuring, inspecting and operating the system. You will be expected to take care that you do not damage the system during the maintenance activities and, where appropriate, the application of electrostatic discharge (ESD) procedures will be a critical part of your role.
Your responsibilities will require you to comply with organisational policy and procedures for the fault location activities undertaken, and to report any problems with these activities, or with the tools and equipment used, that you cannot personally resolve, or are outside your permitted authority, to the relevant people. You will be expected to work to instructions, alone or in conjunction with others, taking full responsibility for your own actions, and for the quality and accuracy of the work that you carry out.
Your underpinning knowledge will be sufficient to provide a sound basis for your work, and will provide an informed approach to applying fault location procedures on communication-electronic systems. You will have an understanding of the basic fault location methods and techniques used, and their application. You will also know how to interpret the information obtained from diagnostic aids and equipment, in adequate depth to provide a sound basis for carrying out the activities.
You will understand the safety precautions required when carrying out the fault location activities, especially those for isolating the equipment. You will also understand your responsibilities for safety and the importance of taking the necessary safeguards to protect yourself and others in the workplace.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
P1 work safely at all times, complying with health and safety and other relevant regulations, directives and guidelines
P2 review and use all relevant information on the symptoms and issues associated with the products or assets
P3 investigate and establish the most likely causes of the faults
P4 select, use and apply diagnostic techniques, tools, instruments and aids during the fault location activity
P5 deal with problems within your control and report those that cannot be solved
P6 determine the implications of the fault for other work and for safety considerations
P7 use the evidence gained to draw valid conclusions about the nature and probable cause of the fault
P8 complete and store all relevant documentation in accordance with organisational requirements
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
K1 how to work safely at all times complying, complying with health and safety and other relevant regulations, directives and guidelines
K2 the importance of wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and of keeping the work area clean and tidy
K3 the procedure to be adopted to establish the background of the fault
K4 how to use the various diagnostic aids to help identify the location of the fault
K5 the various fault location techniques that can be used, and how they are applied
K6 how to evaluate sensory information
K7 how to assess evidence and evaluate the possible causes of faults/issues
K8 the care, handling and application of electrical test equipment
K9 the precautions to be taken to prevent electrostatic discharge (ESD) damage to electronic circuits and components
K10 how to use a range of fault diagnostic equipment to investigate the problem
K11 how to check that the electronic test equipment is within calibration, and that it is free from damage and defects
K12 how to obtain and interpret information from job instructions and other documents needed in the fault location process
K13 the functions of different types of electronic components (analogue or digital), and their operation
K14 the issues that can occur during the fault location activity, and how they can be minimised
K15 the importance of completing the correct documentation, following the maintenance activity
K16 the extent of your own responsibility and to whom you should report if you have problems that you cannot resolve
Scope/range
Scope Performance
1. Carry out all of the following during the fault location activity:
1.1. plan fault location methods and procedures in conjunction with others
1.2. use the correct issue of maintenance documentation (such as drawings, manuals, maintenance records)
1.3. adhere to procedures or systems in place for risk assessment, personal protective equipment and other relevant safety regulations and procedures to realise a safe system of work
1.4. ensure the safe isolation of equipment (such as mechanical, electricity, gas, air or fluids)
1.5. ensure that safe access and working arrangements has been provided for the maintenance area
1.6. use grounded wrist straps and other electrostatic discharge (ESD) precautions, where appropriate
1.7. disconnect or isolate components or parts of the circuit to confirm diagnosis, where appropriate
1.8. carry out the fault location activities, using approved procedures
1.9. identify the fault, and consider appropriate corrective action
1.10. in conjunction with others, take actions to resolve the problem
1.11. dispose of waste items in a safe and environmentally acceptable manner
1.12. leave work area in a safe and tidy condition
2. Carry out fault location on two communication-electronic systems, sub-systems, assemblies or components to LRU level (at least one of which must be selected from group A):
note: Any of the items below can be identified as a system, sub-system or assembly in its own right
group A - communication electronics
2.1. transmitters (such as HF, VHF, UHF, microwave)
2.2. transceivers (such as HF, VHF, UHF, microwave)
2.3. receivers (such as HF, VHF, UHF, microwave)
2.4. signal processing (analogue) (such as radar anti-clutter, comms audio, and AGC stages)
2.5. signal processing (digital) (such as digital MTI, multiplexers, AGC)
2.6. aerial systems (such as phased arrays, long wire and parabolic reflectors)
2.7. transmission lines (such as optical fibres, co-axial, baluns, twin wire, waveguide)
2.8. display systems (such as CRT, Plasma, TFT, TV Tab, LED)
2.9. man-machine interface (such as IS/ICT equipment or peripherals: keypads, keyboards, microphones)
2.10. electro-optical systems (such as cameras, thermal imaging, targeting systems)
2.11. hydraulic-electrical systems (such as hydraulic motors, HSUs, and actuators)
2.12. cryptographic systems (such as data encryption and de-encryption)
2.13. built-in test equipment
2.14. data network systems (such as LANs, WANs)
2.15. data network interfaces (such as switch, router, bridging networks)
2.16. any other identifiable electronic system, sub-system, assemblies or components to LRU level
group B - associated equipment
2.17. environmental control systems (such as temperature, humidity, vibration, shock, alarm and protection)
2.18. electro-mechanical systems (such as servos, motors, relays, complex switches)
2.19. power generation systems (such as fixed/transportable AC/DC generators, batteries)
2.20. power distribution systems (such as single phase/3-phase distribution panels)
2.21. power supply control systems (such as voltage/current, series shunt regulator/stabiliser)
2.22. hybrid systems (such as ADC, DAC)
3. Use four of the following methods and procedures to assist in locating the fault:
3.1. information gathered from the person who reported the fault
3.2. fault finding techniques (such as six point, half-split, input/output, unit substitution, emergent sequence, function testing)
3.3. diagnostic aids (such as manuals, flow charts, troubleshooting guides, electronic aids, equipment records, software based aids)
3.4. inspecting (such as checking for breakages, wear/deterioration, overheating, missing parts, poor joints, incorrect seating)
3.5. operating (such as manually switching off and on, test buttons, running equipment)
3.6. equipment self-diagnostics
4. Use two of the following types of instruments to assist in locating the faults:
4.1. stabilised power supplies
4.2. oscilloscope
4.3. multimeter
4.4. logic probe
4.5. current tracer
4.6. signal generator
4.7. other specific test equipment
5. Locate faults that have resulted in two of the following breakdown categories:
5.1. intermittent action or a system failure
5.2. partial failure or reduced performance
5.3. complete breakdown
6. Complete one of the following maintenance records, and pass it to the appropriate person:
6.1. step-by-step analytical report
6.2. corrective action report
6.3. preventative maintenance log/report
6.4. organisational specific reporting procedure
6.5. electronic records