MXD5U OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE
5 MAINTENANCE
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
Equipment which is regularly and carefully maintained is far less likely to be subject to sudden failure than that
which is operated without regard to basic maintenance requirements. A detailed preventive maintenance program
should be established to ensure that the original efficiency and picture quality is maintained throughout the life of
the equipment. Given reasonable care and attention, the transmitter will provide efficient and reliable service for
many years.
Preventive maintenance techniques do not necessarily involve extensive dismantling of the various assemblies;
on the contrary, this practice is to be discouraged unless a valid reason exists for doing so. Preventive
maintenance is more directed at detailed physical inspection and the general observation of the equipment during
and after operation, to detect the presence of any abnormality, which, if not corrected, might result in operational
failure.
In preparing any maintenance program, the frequency and scope of the inspections must be determined and to a
great degree will be influenced by site location and the station's market parameters and consequently its hours of
operation, equipment configuration, and technical personnel deployment. For example, is the station on the air for
24 hours-a-day? Are there main/standby transmitters and are they attended or unattended?
In general, the following routines should form the basis of any maintenance program.
D
AILY
At an attended site, the operator is afforded the opportunity to make frequent checks on the equipment and
thereby increase his/her familiarity with its operation. The transmitter log entries made during these checks would
include all meter readings, also any irregularity in performance or in picture quality, for later analysis. An
unattended site where equipment is operated by remote control and monitored by telemetry and a high quality off-
air receiver or demodulator can also be continuously checked for performance by studio technical personnel.
M
ONTHLY
In addition to the normal operational tests, thorough physical inspection of every piece of equipment should be
made, with all power turned off. All surfaces should be dusted off or wiped down, terminal boards checked for
loose connections, and all components examined for any evidence of overheating. Air filter media should be
inspected and replaced if necessary. High-pressure air, not over 20psi, can be used with discretion to dislodge
dust from inaccessible places.
S
EMI
-A
NNUALLY AND
A
NNUALLY
Check all external RF connections for tightness, looking specifically for any discoloration, which might indicate a
loose inner connector, flange or sleeve coupling. Test the passive RF system with a transmission test set or
network analyzer, if one is available, to identify any potential problems with the antenna or line. Inspect and clean
contacts on all switches and contactors; carefully redress contact surfaces if pitted.
Check the operation of all interlocks including patch panel, dummy load, air and thermal switches and emergency
interlocks (if applicable).
T
RANSMITTER
C
OOLING
S
YSTEM
All cooling fans in the transmitter are fitted with sealed bearings requiring no lubrication during the lifetime of the
motor.
PUB09-03 Rev 0 April 16, 2009
09-03-13
MXD5U Operations and Maintenance
