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PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD(s) (PCBs)
REPORTED FAULT
POSSIBLE REASON(S) POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS/ ADVICE
Actuator doesn’t
work.
PCB damage or failure.
•
Incorrect power applied to the actuator. This is easily identified when the cover is removed as the PCB components around the power
cable connection on the PCB are burned/ damaged.
•
Condensation. This is identified by oxidisation of internal aluminium components and often by dried residue on the PCB. Condensation
can only be caused by the external power being removed (check counters) thereby eliminating the internal heater.
•
Note:
Damage caused by condensation is NOT covered by the warranty
as a thermostatic anti-condensation heater is provided as
standard, activated whenever external power is connected, and the actuator is designed to have external power continuously applied.
•
Water ingress: This is identified by water being visible in the housing, tide marks on the inside of the housing, oxidisation of internal
aluminium components and by dried residue on the PCB if the water has been drained. Generally the entry point is clearly visible as an
entry ‘track’ can be seen.
•
The J3C is fully weatherproof to IP67 and under normal circumstances does not have any issues with water (or dust) ingress. It cannot
however be submerged for long periods, hosed down, deluged in water, or pressure washed.
Voltage drop: (THIS IS A VERY COMMON CAUSE OF FAILURES)
•
As the voltage drops the current increases, the excess current causes the damage. Voltage drop can be due to incorrectly sized power
supply (undersized), or the effect of the length of cables in DC powered applications has not been considered.
Voltage spikes/ line faults
•
If surge protection is not in place, lightning strikes, or simple high voltage spikes, whist often only seen for a fraction of a second, can
blow a variety of PCB components, and not necessarily the obvious power connection components.
Vibration.
J3C actuators should not be used where vibration is present.
•
Vibration can move the cams mounted to the output shaft so that they no longer actuate the end of travel micro-switch resulting in the
actuator running continuously
•
Components can break loose from PCB. Although the ‘tall’ components are ‘glued’ to the PCB using silicon, vibration can still cause
components to come away from the PCB
•
Motor housing can break loose from the plastic base
•
Miscommunication between a plug & play accessory sub-PCB and main PCB where the plug & socket connection is not made/
maintained.
