User's Manual | ACOM 500S | 160-4
m Linear Power Amplifier
Page 40 of 66 | S e c t i o n OPERATION
March 2023
b)
Second protection level - SOFT FAULT
The second protection level is a SOFT FAULT - when a value exceeded the safe level, but does not put the
amplifier in a danger of a failure.
At the second level (SOFT FAULT) the amplifier reverts to STANDBY mode for four seconds or permanently if
the AUTO OPERATE user setting had been not activated (see Section
4.1.c) AUTO OPERATE user setting
). A
respective message is shown on the screen, for example "Excessive Reflected Power", "Excessive Drain
Current", and others, accompanied by a sound alarm (unless the sound had been muted - see Section
Unlike those for a WARNING, the SOFT FAULT messages remain on the screen and persist until the operator
pushes any button - in order to confirm that the message is read - or until the OPERATE mode is resumed
automatically if the AUTO OPERATE user setting is active (see Section
).
A SOFT FAULT calls for fast and simple correcting actions by the operator, such as, for example, reducing the
drive power, improving of load SWR through retuning the antenna tuner, antenna change, etc.
c)
Third protection level - HARD FAULT
The third and most serious protection level is a HARD FAULT. The amplifier power supply will be turned off
automatically to avoid possible further damages.
When the protection trips off, the data about the fault is stored in the amplifier nonvolatile memory and the
front panel screen is blanked. There is also a sound alarm - a series of "F" sent in CW.
If the reason for tripping the protection is not obvious, you can try to turn on the amplifier. If the amplifier
allows this after the fault, a fault message will appear with information about the reason for the latest
automatic shutdown (for example, overheating of the power supply unit or of the PA stage).
After pushing any button, the fault message will disappear, and if there are no further problems (for example,
the overheated unit has already cooled down), the amplifier operation will be restored. In the event a
threshold is still violated however, a new message will appear on the screen, or the protection will trip again
immediately after the recovery attempt.
If the problem persists, contact your dealer (see Section
At each "HARD FAULT" shutdown the amplifier stores diagnostic data, concerning the controls and values,
the trip time, and others. Your dealer or his service may ask you to copy or take a picture on the data from
the amplifier screen or download it by RS-232 interface and store it in a computer file (see Section
