Nautel NX100 Troubleshooting Manual Download Page 1

NX100 Troubleshooting Manual

Responding to alarms

Issue 3.2  2016-02-08

Page 1-1

Section 1:  

Responding to alarms

This section provides instructions you need when performing troubleshooting on the NX100 
transmitter. This section includes the following topics:

Corrective maintenance

Electrostatic protection - see page 1-3

Identifying an alarm - see page 1-4

Responding to alarms - see page 1-20

Troubleshooting RF power modules - see page 1-29

Other 

Module Replacement Procedures - see page 1-19

If none of the procedures and alarms described in this section address your problem, contact Nautel 
for assistance.

Corrective maintenance

Corrective maintenance procedures consist of identifying and correcting defects or deficiencies that 
arise during transmitter operation. Local and/or remote alarm signals are generated when a 
malfunction occurs. If an alarm condition is caused by a malfunction in the RF power stage, the 
transmitter may maintain operation at a reduced RF output level. The nature of the fault – and station 
policy – will dictate whether an immediate maintenance response is necessary. Fault analysis and 
rectification may be conducted from three different levels, with a different technical competence level 
required for each: on-air troubleshooting, remote or local, and off-air troubleshooting.

On-air troubleshooting 

On-air troubleshooting can be performed from a remote location, or locally at the transmitter site.

CAUTION: 
The transmitter contains many solid state devices that may be damaged if 
subjected to excessive heat or high voltage transients. Every effort must be taken 
to ensure that circuits are not overdriven or disconnected from their loads while 
turned on.

Summary of Contents for NX100

Page 1: ...g transmitter operation Local and or remote alarm signals are generated when a malfunction occurs If an alarm condition is caused by a malfunction in the RF power stage the transmitter may maintain op...

Page 2: ...odular reserve IMR feature This feature permits the transmitter to operate at a reduced RF output level when a malfunction occurs in one of its power modules Station operating procedures will dictate...

Page 3: ...ials Tools Test equipment Testing and maintenance equipment including soldering and unsoldering tools should be suitable for contact with static sensitive semiconductor devices Stress current protecti...

Page 4: ...ame Alarm column and then by severity a single yellow indicates low severity RF output not affected a single orange indicates medium severity RF output is reduced two red indicates high severity RF ou...

Page 5: ...ll alarms in this sub system apply to the associated rack or cabinet Module All alarms in this sub system apply to the associated RF power module Table 1 1 on page 1 6 contains a column for most Alarm...

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Page 20: ...3 If the conditions in Step 1 and Step 2 are met suspect the control interface PWB and if necessary replace it see Control interface PWB replacement on page 1 41 Controller Interlock Open A Controller...

Page 21: ...which can help in identifying a fault and allowing you to determine whether remedial action is required now or later Identify and isolate a defective RF power module and verify the nature of the defe...

Page 22: ...23 for further troubleshooting information If not proceed to Step 2 2 Check and if necessary replace the the fuse on the power module interface PWB for the affected RF power module Each power module...

Page 23: ...leshoot a Rack Low AC alarm as follows 1 Measure the ac input voltage and verify the power transformer is tapped as shown in Section 4 Connecting transformer taps load wiring on page 4 1 of the NX100...

Page 24: ...1 2 on page 1 25 should appear Click on the associated RF power module s Front Panel Inhibit icon The icon colour should change from green to red indicating the RF power module is disabled 3 After th...

Page 25: ...oubleshooting Manual Responding to alarms Issue 3 2 2016 02 08 Page 1 25 LJXUH LVDEOLQJ QDEOLQJ DQ 5 3RZHU 0RGXOH UHHQ LQGLFDWHV HQDEOHG OLFN WR GLVDEOH ZLOO WXUQ UHG FOLFN DJDLQ WR UH HQDEOH ZLOO WXU...

Page 26: ...screws in the RF power module s front panel 4 Connect the RJ45 cable to the front of the RF power module If you are installing the RF power module while the transmitter is on air click on the associat...

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Page 28: ...NX100 Troubleshooting Manual Responding to alarms Page 1 28 Issue 3 2 2016 02 08 5 3RZHU 0RGXOHV URQW RRU 5HPRYHG IRU ODULW...

Page 29: ...MOSFET attaching hardware A soldering iron and desoldering tool An NX100 spares kit contains replacement semi conductors Electrostatic Precautions The RF power module contains semiconductor devices th...

Page 30: ...Step 2 is not satisfactory replace the affected power amplifier MOSFET see Power Amplifier FET replacement or modulator MOSFET see Modulator FET replacement on page 1 34 4 If both measurements in Step...

Page 31: ...to alarms Issue 3 2 2016 02 08 Page 1 31 LJXUH 5 3RZHU 0RGXOH 026 7 DQG LRGH RFDWLRQ 6RPH SDUWV UHPRYHG IRU FODULW 6 6 6 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 3DUWLDO 9LHZ RI 1 3 0RGXODWRU 3RZHU PSOLILHU 3 0RGXODWRU 026 7V...

Page 32: ...defective MOSFET and its associated thermal pad between MOSFET and chassis 5 Ensure the surface of the chassis heat sink is clean and free of debris 6 Obtain a replacement MOSFET Nautel Part QR6868 a...

Page 33: ...NX100 Troubleshooting Manual Responding to alarms Issue 3 2 2016 02 08 Page 1 33 LJXUH 3RZHU PSOLILHU 7 5HSODFHPHQW...

Page 34: ...nd install it on the heat sink using the alignment post on the heat sink as an installation aid Reinstall the heat sink clip removed in Step 4 8 Replace any other defective MOSFETs and then re install...

Page 35: ...A3 remote interface PWB A11A4 optional GPS sync PWB A11A5 and optional Exgine PWB A11A7 The control interface PWB physically interconnects with both digital AM exciter PWBs and the remote interface PW...

Page 36: ...emote interface PWB by reversing Step 1 and Step 2 6 Reconnect all interface wiring to the new remote interface PWB Digital AM exciter PWB replacement 1 Set the transmitter to its RF Off state 2 Conne...

Page 37: ...NX100 Troubleshooting Manual Responding to alarms Issue 3 2 2016 02 08 Page 1 37 LJXUH 1 RGH 8SORDGHU 0HQX...

Page 38: ...ad Exciter Configuration button Select Save file to disk and click OK see Figure 1 10 on page 1 39 to save the current calibration data Browse to a desired location to save the file 7 If the defective...

Page 39: ...l the new digital AM exciter PWB by reversing Step 8 and Step 9 11 Connect a cable between the replacement digital AM exciter PWB s RS 232 connector 9 pin D sub J3 see Figure 1 7 on page 1 36 and a PC...

Page 40: ...New Firmware button 15 On the digital AM exciter PWB s MODE program header E1 see Figure 1 7 return the shorting jumper to the NORMAL position shorting pins 2 and 3 Press RESET switch S1 located dire...

Page 41: ...o its RF Off state Turn off disable or lock out the ac power at the source Open the front door to gain access to the exciter panel see Figure 1 6 on page 1 35 4 Disconnect all cables attached to the c...

Page 42: ...ttings menu See the NX100 Operations and Maintenance Manual for detailed instructions GPS Sync PWB replacement 1 Remove and retain four sets of mounting hardware from the GPS sync PWB being replaced A...

Page 43: ...on the cables and the PWB 3 Remove and save six sets of mounting hardware 4 Remove the defective PWB from the transmitter 5 Reverse Step 1 through Step 4 to install the new PWB WARNING Lethal voltages...

Page 44: ...oor of the cabinet There should be little or no voltage 2 Disconnect all cables attached to the RF drive distribution PWB taking note of the connector labels on the cables and the PWB 3 Carefully remo...

Page 45: ...drive distribution PWB replacement on page 1 44 Gently pry the connectors loose with a screwdriver 3 Disconnect all cables attached to the rack interface PWB taking note of the connector labels on the...

Page 46: ...reinstalling RF power modules on page 1 24 9 One at a time reinstall each RF power module The LED sequence on the front panel of each module should change to solid red Reconnect each RF power module...

Page 47: ...are discharged For additional safety measure the dc voltage across the and terminals of any of the large electrolytic capacitors on the floor of the cabinet There should be little or no voltage WARNI...

Page 48: ...fan to the SCR rectifier assembly and connect the fan s wiring as it was previously installed Return the transmitter to service 3 Disconnect all wiring attached to the SCR rectifier assembly taking n...

Page 49: ...There should be little or no voltage 2 Disconnect all wiring attached to the affected power supply module U3 through U7 taking note of the connector labels on the cables LJXUH RFDWLRQ RI RZ 9ROWDJH 3...

Page 50: ...ue 3 2 2016 02 08 4 Remove the power supply module from the transmitter noting its reference designation U3 through U7 should be marked on the side panel near the module 5 Reverse Step 1 through Step...

Page 51: ...16 02 08 Page 1 51 RF Power Module Fan Tray replacement See Figure 1 16 LJXUH RFDWLRQ RI DQ 7UD VVHPEOLHV DQ 7UD VVHPEOLHV URQW RRU 5HPRYHG IRU ODULW DQ VVRFLDWHG 5 3RZHU 0RGXOH V 7UD DQ 7UD VVHPEOLHV...

Page 52: ...ont door 2 Determine the suspect fan tray assembly A35A60 through A39A64 associated with the offending RF power module alarm s 3 Remove and save two sets of mounting hardware Pull the fan tray assembl...

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