GE MAC 3500, Service Manual, Page: 50 / 180

4-10 MAC™ 3500 Resting ECG Analysis System
Revision L

2021337-036
Troubleshooting: General Fault Isolation
Visual Inspection
A thorough visual inspection of the equipment can save time. Small things—
disconnected cables, foreign debris on circuit boards, missing hardware, loose
components—can frequently cause symptoms and equipment failures that may
appear to be unrelated and difficult to track.
NOTE
Take the time to make all the recommended visual checks before starting any
detailed troubleshooting procedures.
Table 1. Visual Inspection List
Area Look for the following problems
I/O Connectors and Cables Fraying or other damage
Bent prongs or pins
Cracked housing
Loose screws in plugs
Fuses Type and rating. Replace as necessary.
Interface Cables Excessive tension or wear
Loose connection
Strain reliefs out of place
Circuit Boards Moisture, dust, or debris (top and bottom)
Loose or missing components
Burn damage or smell of over-heated components
Socketed components not firmly seated
PCB not seated properly in edge connectors
Solder problems: cracks, splashes on board, incomplete feedthrough, prior modifications or repairs
Ground Wires/Wiring Loose wires or ground strap connections
Faulty wiring
Wires pinched or in vulnerable position
Mounting Hardware Loose or missing screws or other hardware, especially fasteners used as connections to ground
planes on PCBs
Power Source Faulty wiring, especially AC outlet
Circuit not dedicated to system
(Power source problems can cause static discharge, resetting problems, and noise.)