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Trouble Shooting & Maintenance

Scheduled Maintenance

The S-LX system is designed to be free of scheduled maintenance for its entire service life. No scheduled maintenance regime is required.

Reactive Maintenance

In the rare event of system failure, reactive maintenance may be required to restore the S-LX system to full operation. In the event of system malfunction:

  • Use the troubleshooting guide below to identify the likely cause.

  • Refer to the relevant restorative maintenance instruction found later in this guide

  • If unsuccessful, please contact MPEC Technology Ltd for further support.

    • Telephone: 01332 363 979. Available Monday to Friday 8 AM to 4 PM UK time.

    • Email: support@mpec.co.uk. Response typically within 24 hours.

Troubleshooting

Symptoms of identified failure modes are listed below. The “probable cause” field lists fault conditions in order of likelihood and should be eliminated in order. The “Remedial Action” column links to fault finding and maintenance task instructions.

Symptom

Probable Causes

Remedial Action

Symptom

Probable Causes

Remedial Action

Total Loss of All Function

AC Power Wiring Fault

Test and Replace AC Power Wiring

HZS AC PSU Fault

Replace HZS Module

Total Loss of S-LX compute module

DC Power Wiring Fault

Test and Replace DC Power Wiring

HZS DC PSU Fault

Replace HZS Module

S-LX module hardware Failure

Replace S-LX Compute Module

Intermittent or Total Loss of Serial Communications

RS232 Wiring fault

Test and Correct RS232 Wiring

RS485 Wiring fault

Test and Correct RS485 Wiring

HZS Hardware Failure

Replace HZS module

S-LX hardware Failure

Replace S-LX compute module

Electromagnetic Interference

Screen RS232 Cable

Electromagnetic Interference

Check and Correct Earth Bonding

Intermittent or Total Loss of Ethernet Communications

Ethernet wiring Fault

Test and Correct Ethernet Wiring

S-LX hardware Failure

Replace S-LX compute module

Electromagnetic Interference

Screen Ethernet Cable

Electromagnetic Interference

Check and Correct Earth Bonding

Intermittent or Total Loss of wireless communication

SIM fault

Check Service Provision of SIM

SIM Fault

Replace SIM

Sub-optimal antenna placement

Re-site Antenna

Antenna or Antenna cable damage

Replace Antenna

Wireless Modem hardware failure

Replace S-LX compute module

SIM card reader Fault

Replace S-LX compute module

Intermittent or Total Loss of Monitored Signal Function

RS232 wiring fault

Test and Correct RS232 Wiring

HZS Hardware Failure

Replace HZS module

Electromagnetic Interference

Screen RS232 Cable

S-LX or HZS modules not secured to DIN rail

Loose device fastenings

Check Physical Fitment

Failed device fastening

Replace S-LX compute module

Failed device fastening

Replace HZS module

Physical damage to modules

Impact damage

Replace S-LX compute module

Impact damage

Replace HZS module

Suspected Earth Fault

Earth cable fitted

Remove Earth Cable

AC Wiring Fault

Test and Replace AC Power Wiring

DC Wiring Fault

Test and Replace DC Power Wiring

RS232 Wiring Fault

Test and Correct RS232 Wiring

RS485 Wiring Fault

Test and Correct RS485 Wiring

Ethernet Wiring Fault

Test and Correct Ethernet Wiring

HZS module Fault

Replace HZS module

S-LX compute module fault

Replace S-LX compute module

Intermittent or Total Failure of SD card

SD card fault

Replace SD card

USB Port Malfunction

Inoperable or physically damaged

Replace S-LX compute module

USB Eject button malfunction

Inoperable or physically damaged

Replace S-LX compute module

Reactive Maintenance Instructions

Test and Replace AC Power Wiring

Test

Outcome

Action

Test

Outcome

Action

Test for voltage either side of the primary fuse

No voltage below fuse indicates blown fuse

Replace fuse

Test for voltage at AC input plug

No voltage implies a wiring fault

De-energise power circuit and check cables for continuity and physical integrity of all connections.

Voltage implies HZS device fault

Check mating of power connector and soundness of ferrule crimps. If no fault found, replace HZS device

Replace HZS Module

  • De-energise the incoming power supply and test that AC voltage is not present at the HZS power input terminals

  • Unscrew and remove all device plugs.

  • The HZS is retained by a sprung steel clip, which will easy pop-off the DIN rail, however loosening any end stops may aid removal.

  • Replace with a new HZS device by clipping it to the DIN rail.

  • Tighten any end-stops that may have been loosened.

  • Reinsert all plugs. Plugs are colour coded and feature cable beads to aid with replacement, but take care to ensure all plugs are reinstalled in their original positions.

  • Repeat the commissioning steps found in the installation guide.

Test and Replace DC Power Wiring

Test

Outcome

Action

Test

Outcome

Action

Test for voltage at DC output of HZS device

No voltage indicates failed HZS

Check mating of power connector and soundness of ferrule crimps. If no fault found, replace HZS device

Test for voltage at the DC input of the S-LX device

No voltage implies a wiring fault

De-energise power circuit and check cables for continuity and physical integrity of all connections.

Voltage implies S-LX device fault

Check mating of power connector and soundness of ferrule crimps. If no fault found, replace S-LX device

Replace S-LX Compute Module

  • The HZS device does not need to be powered down to replace the S-LX device.

  • Unscrew and remove all device plugs.

  • The S-LX is retained using two sliding plastic clips at the rear of the device. Withdrawing either top or bottom clip will allow removal of the device from the DIN rail. loosening any end stops may aid removal.

  • Replace with a new S-LX device by clipping it to the DIN rail.

  • Your replacement device will have been pre-configured by MPEC to be a direct replacement.

  • Tighten any end-stops that may have been loosened.

  • Reinsert all plugs. Plugs are colour coded and feature cable beads to aid with replacement, but take care to ensure all plugs are reinstalled in their original positions, particularly the Ethernet connections

  • Repeat the commissioning steps found in the installation guide.

Test and Correct RS232 Wiring

Disturbing RS232 wiring in some applications may disrupt the operation of signalling equipment

  • Check RS232 wiring follows the core assignments that shown in the overlay diagram.

  • Pay particular attention to pin assignments and soundness of solder connection in DB-9 plugs

  • Pay particular attention to the soundness of connection made on “punch-down” blocks

  • Check for secure mating of all plug coupler connections

  • Check for secure crimping and fastening of terminal blocks.

  • Test replacement of any pre-moulded “splitter” cables.

Test and Correct RS485 Wiring

  • Check RS485 wiring follows the core assignments that shown in the overlay diagram.

  • Check for correct connection of TX and RX RS485 pairs between S-LX and HZS. They are easily swapped.

  • Check for secure mating of all plug coupler connections

  • Check for secure crimping and fastening of terminal blocks.

  • Test replacement of any pre-moulded “splitter” cables.

Screen RS232 Cable

  • Supplied RS232 cable is screened, however the screen is not connected to a functional earth point.

  • A functional earth point may be found on the shell of the DB-9 connector of monitored equipment

    • In this instance, it is possible to connect the cable screen the the plug back-shell.

    • Contact MPEC is supply of a screened cable is required.

Check and Correct Earth Bonding

  • Good functional earth bonding can guard against electromagnetic interference.

  • A functional bond is made by the HZS mounting clip. Where practical, check that a good electrical connection exists between the clip and equipment racking, and that equipment racking is properly earthed.

  • Functional bonding can also be made by connecting the E terminal of the HZS power connector to a suitable earthing point, using the shortest wiring run possible.

Test and Correct Ethernet Wiring

  • The simplest way to test Ethernet wiring is to swap out the cable, and then testing both old and new cable to check for faults.

  • If a known good cable does not correct the issue, check device IP settings..

Screen Ethernet Cable

  • The unscreened cable must be replaced with a screened cable.

  • As the S-LX system is isolated from earth, the Ethernet shell on the S-LX device is not connected to a functional earth

  • The functional earth connection must be made out the non-S-LX end of the cable.

Check Service Provision of SIM

  • The SIM serial number can be located on the side of the S-LX device

  • Contact the SIM provider (O2) and check that the SIM is active, and has public Internet access available.

Replace SIM

  • The SIM resides behind the card-cover found next to the antenna connector.

  • The cover slides off and held in place with small screw.

Re-site Antenna

  • Antenna placement has a large bearing on system performance

  • Even small movements can make a significant difference.

  • Commercially available signal strength meters, and even personal phones may be used gauge appropriate places to site the antenna.

  • The S-LX module gives an indication of received signal strength. The indicator only updates once per minute, so patience is required when assessing the impact of any movement

Replace Antenna

  • Damaged antennas may need like-for-like replacement. Simply unscrew the GSM antenna cable and replace the antenna.

  • In areas of very poor signal strength, higher-gain antennas may be required. Contact MPEC to discuss.

Check Physical Fitment

  • Check S-LX retaining clips are securely fastened.

  • Check HZS device clip is fully locked onto the DIN rail.

  • Check that end stops are firmly butted against the devices and secure.

Remove Earth Connection

  • If an earth fault is suspected to be caused by the S-LX system, removal of the earth bonding may reveal the root cause, should the fault disappear.

Replace SD Card

  • The SD card resides behind the card-cover found next to the antenna connector.

  • The cover slides off and held in place with small screw.