Maybe your production came to an abrupt halt, or you are getting all kinds of beeping and error codes from your industrial electronics. These are potentially expensive problems to have when it means production is affected. You want to get answers fast!
Here are a few signs that your logic circuit board has gone bad and repairs or replacement could be needed:
- Error codes on operator’s screen – pretty good indicator that complete failure is about to occur
- Warning beeps – this is a head’s up; go check your manual for more information before a catastrophic failure occurs
- No power – too late! Your unit will likely not power up although the power supply may still work
- Corrupt data – won’t pass data correctly, errors will keep occurring
- Random rebooting – when your equipment seems to be “possessed by poltergeists”
- Smoke, fire, “burnt electronics smell” – pretty obvious
These are all potential signs of circuit board failure which means the “brains” of your equipment has lost its marbles. Smoke and fire of course are a bit more alarming than the others but all can be responsible for costly equipment down time.
What should you do if you suspect your logic circuit board is bad?
This depends on your level of expertise with electronic equipment , your budget, and the value of your time. It also depends on the amount of time you have to devote to DIY repairs. The simplest solution? You can pull the logic circuit board and put in your spare (you do have one right?) and then ship the bad board out for professional circuit board repairs.
If you have some level of experience with electronics, and have unplugged the unit first and then removed the board, you may consider doing the following:
- Visually inspect the logic board for obvious signs of failure – burn marks, cracked capacitors, scratches or damage, solder problems
- Check connectors for signs of corrosion which is common especially with edge connectors. They can be gently cleaned with an eraser and soft, lint-free/static-free cloth
- Get the schematic drawing for the board to find the test points and voltages for normal circuit operation; use an oscilloscope and/or multimeter to test for measured matches to see if the board is operating normally
To save you time, money and frustration we recommend sending the suspect logic circuit board to an experienced professional industrial electronic repair company. This is usually the most time and cost efficient way to get the board evaluated and repaired. Having a working spare board handy is important if you want to keep production going while the board is being repaired.
If you are searching for a repair center for your damaged logic circuit board or other industrial electronics, check first to see if your equipment is still under warranty. If it is still under warranty contact the OEM about repairs. If it is out of warranty, contact an independent industrial electronic repair center to find out if they are a good fit for your company and your particular repair needs. They should offer free evaluations for your damaged equipment and, if needed, a free quote for repairs (no bench fees!). They should also provide repair reports if requested and a good warranty of at least one year that covers both parts and labor.
About the Author: ACS Industrial Services is an independent industrial electronic repair center providing repairs for all types of industrial electronic equipment and most all manufacturers including circuit board repairs, logic board repairs, repairs for power supplies, drives, servo motors, CNC equipment, encoders, monitors and touchscreens, test equipment, and much more. Rush Service is available and a comprehensive 2-Year Warranty covers most repairs. The customer service team is available to answer your questions and help solve your industrial electronic repair problems. You can reach them by calling 800-605-6419 or going to www.acsindustrial.com.