| Simple troubleshooting for the security specialist |
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Every technician has been faced with a problem in his or her career that seemingly defied logic. Generally these problems are well within the technician's skill to grasp but, for the moment, the solution to that problem is somewhat less than obvious. The following is a basic overview of how to systematically isolate the source of problems with an installation. The order that these steps are followed in can, of course, be arbitrary but they are laid out here in a logical order. Note: Several of these tips will require the use of a multi-meter and assumes the reader to have a basic working knowledge of test equipment.
1) The first order of business in any failure should be to check connections and voltage. These steps are tied together as one is generally useless without the other.
a. Measure the voltage at the device to make certain that there is no voltage drop due to line loss in cabling or loose/faulty connections. If necessary pull gently on each connection point to make certain that they are tight, secure and solidly connected.
b. In testing voltage, ensure that the power supply is providing the voltage required for the equipment connected to it and is reliable. If it's an AC supply, be certain that it is not connected to a switched source and is not susceptible to any voltage swings either high or low. If the circuit requires a DC supply the voltage must be checked for fluctuations but also possibly for cleanliness. Many electronic devices require "clean" or regulated and filtered DC power. By "clean" this means that there should be no AC voltage or "ripple" detected in the DC voltage. This can be determined by measuring the DC voltage with a multi-meter set for AC voltage. A clean DC power supply should show only a minimal amount of AC voltage when measured, if any at all.
2) Assuming that connections are solid and the power supply is supplying the correct voltage when properly loaded there may well be a problem with the installed product. Providing that the circuit requires and/or includes a switching mechanism this can be one of the simplest and quickest checks and can save a great deal of frustration later if checked first. The switching mechanism in a circuit could be anything from a simple switch or push button to an access control reader or keypad with a relay output. Testing these switches can easily be accomplished by the use of a multi-meter set to measure resistance or continuity (measured in OHMS Ω). The current path in any switch when activated should measure somewhere between 0Ω and 5Ω. Some multi-meters will emit a tone or beep when measuring continuity while others will simply display the resistance reading across the switch terminals. Disconnect all wiring from the switch and place the leads of the meter on the terminals to be measured and activate the switch. The reading on the meter will illustrate the condition of the switch and further narrow down the suspects for the defective portion in the circuit in question.
3) Having inspected the connections, the power supply, and the switching mechanism the load is all that remains in a simple circuit. The load being, in a door control system for example, the strike, magnet, or release that keeps the door locked. While the specifics of troubleshooting a magnet, strike, or release are issues for other articles this should provide a basic overview in determining if any of these devices are defective or damaged. Focus first on voltage, at the locking device when it is activated as mentioned in step 1. This may require holding or placing a jumper on the terminals of the switching mechanism to maintain voltage to the locking device. If the voltage is not correct for what is expected or not present there is undoubtedly a power supply problem or a cabling issue. If the voltage measured is exactly what is expected pay close attention to the physical condition of the device. There may very well be a mechanical reason for the device not operating correctly. Occasionally locking devices succumb to wear and tear or are victims of vandalism and often these issues can be corrected on site saving a great deal of time and money. Barring all else the product may very well be defective and require replacement. In this case, if possible, contact the Technical Support line for the installed device prior to attempting to return it and let them know everything that has been found. The support line staff in most companies are immersed in product problems and may very well have some recommendations on issues that werenĄ¯t blatantly obvious during the inspection. If the product is truly found to be defective it is always useful to include a brief note outlining what the problem was before returning it, this can go a long way to isolating defects and improving a product in the long run.
If troubleshooting steps are undertaken for every service call. Over time the problems will become increasingly simple and result in reduced service time for the installer and reduced down time for the customer. At no point should a product be assumed to be defective on first glance. There are many variables in every installation and there is no tool more valuable to a security specialist than troubleshooting skills. An installer will always benefit from finding and solving a problem and not letting it become just a mystery. Every solution arrived at becomes a building block towards solving a future problem.
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Tips For Troubleshooting Electromagnetic Locks