Troubleshooting

Some questions to ask before starting any

troubleshooting are:
1. Has the circuit ever worked?
2. If the circuit once worked, under what
conditions did it fail?
3. What are the symptoms of the failure?
4. What are the possible causes of the failure?
 Troubleshooting

Plan the troubleshooting by reviewing

pertinent information:
Troubleshooting
1. Schematics
2. Instruction manuals
3. Review when and how the failure occurred.
Troubleshooting Troubleshooting
You may decide to start at the middle of a circuit and work in toward the failure. This approach is called half-
splitting.
Based on the plan of attack, look over the circuit carefully and make measurements as needed to localize the
Troubleshooting
problem. Modify the plan if necessary as you proceed.

After solving the problem, it is useful to ask, “How can I prevent this failure in the future?”
Troubleshooting Troubleshooting
The effective troubleshooter must think logically about
circuit operation.
Troubleshooting
Understand normal circuit operation and
find out the symptoms of the failure.
Decide on a logical set of steps to find the
fault.

Following the steps in the plan, make

measurements to isolate the problem. Modify
the plan if necessary.
Troubleshooting Troubleshooting
Summary

VS=
Troubleshooting +15 V
Troubleshooting
330 W A
R1

R2 R3
The output of the voltage-divider is
470 W 2.2 kW
6.0 V. Describe how you would use
analysis and planning in finding the
fault.

From an earlier calculation, V3 should equal 8.10 V. A low voltage is

most likely caused by a low source voltage or incorrect resistors
(possibly R1 and R2 reversed). If the circuit is new, incorrect
components are possible.
Decide on a logical set of steps to locate the fault. You could decide to
1) check the source voltage, 2) disconnect the load and check the
output voltage, and if it is correct, 3) check the load resistance. If R3 is
correct, check other resistors.
 Summary

Troubleshooting power supplies

Begin troubleshooting by analyzing the symptoms and how it failed. Try to

focus on the most likely causes of failure.

A power supply has no output, but was working until a

newly manufactured PC board was connected to it. (a) Analyze
possible failures. (b) Form a plan for troubleshooting.

F IC regulator
D3 D1
7805

D2 D4 C1 C2
1000 mF 1 mF
 Summary
Troubleshooting power supplies

The supply had been working, so the problem is not

likely to be an incorrect part or wiring problem. The failure was
linked to the fact that a new PC board was connected to it,
which points to a possible overloading problem. If the load was
too much for the supply, it is likely a fuse would have blown, or
a part would likely have overheated, accounting for the lack of
output.
F IC regulator
D3 D1
7805

D2 D4 C1 C2
1000 mF 1 mF
Troubleshooting power supplies

Based on the analysis, a sample plan is as follows. (It can be

modified as circumstances warrant.)

1. Disconnect power and check the fuse. If it is bad, replace it.

Before reapplying power, remove the load, open the power
supply case, and look for evidence of overheating (such as
discolored parts or boards). If no evidence of overheating
proceed.
2. Check the new pc board (the load) for a short or overloading
of the power supply that would cause the fuse to blow. Look for
evidence of overheating.
3. Verify operation of the supply with measurements (see next
slide).
Troubleshooting power supplies

The analysis showed that a likely cause of failure

was due to an overload. For the measurement step, it may be as simple
as replacing the fuse and confirming that the supply works. After
replacing the fuse:

Reapply power to the supply but with no load. If the output is

okay, put a resistive test load on the power supply and measure
the output to verify it is operational. If the output is correct, the
problem is probably with the new pc board. If not, you will need
to further refine the analysis and plan, looking for an internal
problem.