How To Maintenance an Ultrasonic Flaw Detector
I. Reliability of Electronic Instruments
Reliability is the ability of an electronic instrument to perfectly perform its intended functions under certain operating conditions and within a certain time frame. Reliability decreases exponentially over time. Generally, each component within the instrument plays an significantly core role in its reliability. Therefore, the number of components within a instrument is also a key to its reliability as well.
To improve the reliability of an instrument, its reliability should be established during the instrument's design, instrument production, also while using the instrument.
II. Faults in Electronic Instruments
A fault is a defect in an electronic instrument that prevents it from performing all or part of its functions. Faults are the basis for measuring reliability. They are further divided into inevitable faults and accidental faults. Accidental faults are those where the parameters of electronic components or the performance of mechanical components suddenly change due to external environmental influences, causing the instrument to malfunction. For example, The accidental faults is including short circuits, impacts, overheating, and even excessive moisture. Furthermore, Inevitable faults happen when components slowly get old over time and pass their lifespan. For example, such as aging tubes, damaged capacitors or resistance, and worn mechanical parts.
III. Maintenance of Electronic Instruments
Maintaining instruments is crucial for ensuring reliability. Maintenance aims to prevent or reduce accidental malfunctions and delay inevitable malfunctions. It is important that users should understand the characteristic of the detector, and protect the detector from the potential internal causese of malfunctions, and meanwhile, control the external factors may exacerbate those internal causes. Take an electronic component for an example, we can't place the detector in a humid environment, or it will accelerated the reduction of insulation, and lead to component breakdown and malfunction.
Keep in mind on these following precautions when maintaining the instrument:
1. Do not use it near locations with severe vibrations to prevent damage.
2. Do not use it near dusty areas to prevent sand and dust from entering the instrument and causing short circuits or other malfunctions over time.
3. Do not use it in areas with large voltage fluctuations to prevent internal voltage fluctuations that can affect component lifespan.
4. Do not use it near strong magnetic fields to prevent magnetic interference that could cause waveforms on the screen to fluctuate or be attracted to one side.
5. Do not operate the instrument in excessively high or low temperatures to prevent deterioration or damage to electronic components.
6. The instrument should not be used for extended periods to avoid overheating. Generally, four hours of continuous operation is the maximum (this can be extended in colder climates).
7. If the probe is made of titanate, do not use them on work-pieces at temperatures above 70°C;
If the probe is made of lead zirconate titanate, do not use them on work-pieces at temperatures above 200°C;
If the probe is made of quartz, do not use them on work-pieces at temperatures above 400°C, to avoid loss of piezoelectric effect.
8. Clean the instrument at least every two months. Use a blower to remove dust from components and cracks inside the housing. Use a brush or fine sandpaper dipped in alcohol to remove dust from components. If the diaphragm is rusted, it can be sanded off with fine sandpaper.
9. In humid climates or during low tide seasons, if the instrument is not used for a long period, turn it on once a month (for about half an hour each time) to allow it to dry and remove moisture, preventing internal short circuits, breakdowns, and even burnout.
