Troubleshooting resources
When your goal is to keep systems up and running, time is of the essence when something goes wrong. With the right know-how and tools, you can identify the root cause of issues, make informed recommendations and decisions, and verify fixes. These articles, videos, and webinars provide application-specific guidance to solve common equipment problems. In addition, case studies from your industry cohorts share how they solved some of these problems.
Featured
Troubleshooting on-demand webinars
Process calibration
- Watch now Process troubleshooting webinar - 4-20a
Motors, drives, pumps, compressors
Transients and voltage unbalance
The electrical power issues that most frequently affect industrial plants include voltage sags and swells, harmonics, transients, and voltage and current unbalance.
Top causes of single-phase motor malfunctions
Most problems with single-phase motors involve the centrifugal switch, thermal switch, or capacitor(s). If the problem is in the centrifugal switch, thermal switch, or capacitor, the motor is usually serviced and repaired. However, if the motor is more than 10 years old and less than 1 HP, the motor is usually replaced. If the motor is less than 1/8 HP, it is almost always replaced.
13 common causes of motor failure
This article demonstrates how to detect the 13 most common causes of winding insulation and bearing failure in advance.
How to measure output voltage from a VFD to a motor
How to measure output voltage from a VFD to a motor
Power quality
Top 5 power quality issues you can solve with the Fluke 1770 power quality analyzers
Troubleshooting the most common power quality problems—voltage distortion and harmonics. Tools needed, types of problems
Moving up to three-phase power quality measurements
Monitoring three-phase power quality is a must. Whether you troubleshoot mysterious electrical problems or provide additional services to a client, it is three-phase power that is provided to commercial and industrial customers and three-phase power that is distributed throughout a facility.
HVAC
Fundamental IAQ/HVAC measurements with the Fluke 975 AirMeterTM
The 975 gathers ten fundamental IAQ parameters: Temperature, Humidity, Dew Point Temperature, Web Bulb Temperature, Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide, Air Velocity, Air Volume, and Percentage of Outdoor Air (calculated from temperature or CO2). This application note reviews those parameters and the associated functions on the 975. For more detailed information, see other app notes from the Fluke HVAC/IAQ library.
Duct traversal airflow measurement
This how-to guide explains why and how to conduct a duct traverse, how to insert the measuring device and a step-by-step process of taking the measurements. Tips and additional resources are included.
Troubleshooting Common Solar Photovoltaic System Problems
With the push to energy independence and renewable energy sources, HVAC technicians need to know how to troubleshoot photovoltaic systems
Insulation resistance and electrical testing for HVAC compressor motors
HVACR mechanics rarely rely on a single test to pass or fail a function or process. As they walk up to a condensing unit, they listen, they wave their hand over the condenser discharge air, and then they grab the suction line, the liquid line, and the discharge line (and wish they hadn't done that). All of this before they even open their tool box.
Case studies
Case study: Three-Phase Motor Failure
For three years in a row, a particularly large three-phase motor would fail twice a year. The facility maintenance manager called in both the electrical contractor and the motor manufacturer, who pointed fingers at each other but failed to resolve anything on site.
Case study: Electric utility plays it safe...
The safety rated Fluke T+Pro gets field-tested by non-electricians. Larger buttons for gloved hands and a battery life indicator helped to make the transition from the old solenoid-based testers to the T+Pro much easier.
Case Study: Manufacturer Finds 143 Leaks in Air Compressor System Without Impacting Uptime
Find out how air leak detection equipment prevents downtime for a 150,000 square foot plant that runs approximately 400 tools on compressed air, produced by a 200-horsepower compressor.
Thermal imaging
Using thermal imaging to troubleshoot motors and drives
Using infrared cameras to troubleshoot motor problems as well as monitoring motor conditions for preventative maintenance in power generation, manufacturing and commercial plants.
Why thermal imaging is essential for detecting moisture damage
With the growing concern about mold damage and associated health problems, inspectors are becoming increasingly vigilant in checking for areas of moisture within the confines of the building envelope. Weather related damage and flooding, and subsequent mold growth, have also escalated the need for tools that can facilitate fast and accurate moisture investigations.
How to inspect a motor with a thermal imager
Seeing a motor’s heat signature under normal operating conditions—with at least 40 % of design load—can tell you a lot about its condition.
Hot spot detection—what to look for
How to find hot spots in electrical systems using a thermal camera. Learn what to look for and understand what causes emissivity anomalies during inspections.