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Chapter 6 - Troubleshooting
Malfunctions are often the result of misinterpretation of specifications or due to an incomplete
understanding of the instrument.
A thorough review of the operating instructions for this instrument
is recommended prior to any component replacement.
Check to be sure that cables and other test
equipment are in good working order before attempting to troubleshoot the Alpha 4314.
If the Model Alpha 4314 exhibits problems that cannot be eliminated by reviewing Chapter 3 and 5, the
following guidelines have been established to help solve the problem.
Localizing the Problem
The key to successful troubleshooting is to localize the problem as much as possible before trying to pin
the problem down to a specific component. Certain questions should be asked such as "Does the problem
occur on all ranges or on a specific range only?” The power supplies are also one of the first things that
should be checked.
As it is not possible to anticipate all failure modes of the Alpha 4314, servicing personnel should become
familiar with this section to gain a complete understanding of the internal workings of the Model Alpha
4314.
Component Replacement
If the problem has been identified as a faulty component, the accuracy of the Alpha 4314 can be
maintained only if the following precautions are taken:
a)
Use only the specified component or its exact equivalent. Spare parts can be ordered from your
nearest Valhalla Scientific Service Center or directly from the factory by referring to the Valhalla
Stock Number.
b)
Use only 63/37 grade rosin core electronic grade solder with a 50W or lower maximum power
soldering iron.
c)
When soldering, heat the terminal of the component, not the solder. Apply solder smoothly and
evenly. Do not move the component until the solder has cooled. Bad solder joints can cause
additional problems!
d)
Static sensitive parts require special handling procedures. Always treat an unknown part as if it
were static sensitive.
