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5.1.
Introduction
This section provides preventive mainte-
nance checks, cleaning, corrective mainte-
nance, and troubleshooting information for
the
FM
BROADCAST TRANSMITTER.
5.2. Purpose
The information contained in this section
is intended to provide guidance to establish
a comprehensive maintenance program to
promote operational readiness and elimi-
nate downtime. Particular emphasis is
placed
on
preventive maintenance and re-
cord keeping functions.
5.3. Station Records
The importance
of
keeping station perfor-
mance records cannot be overemphasized.
Separate logbooks should be maintained by
operation and maintenance activities. These
records can provide data for predicting po-
tential problem areas and analyzing equip-
ment malfunctions.
5.3.1. Transmitter Logbook
As a minimum performance characteris-
tic, the transmitter should be monitored
(using front panel meters) and the results
recorded in the transmitter logbook at each
shift change or
at
least once a
day.
5.3.2. Maintenance Logbook
The maintenance logbook should contain
a complete description
of
all maintenance
activities required to keep the transmitter
operational. A list
of
maintenance informa-
tion to be recorded and analyzed to provide
a data base for a failure reporting system is
as follows:
DISCREPANCY
Describe the nature
of
the malfunc-
tion. Include all observable symp-
toms and performance characteris-
tics.
CORRECTIVE ACTION
Describe the repair procedure used
to correct the malfunction.
DEFECTIVE
PART(S)
List all parts and components re-
placed or repaired. Include the fol-
lowing details:
a.
Component Time
In
Use
b.
Component Part Number
c. Component Schematic Number
d.
Component Assembly Number
e. Component Reference Designator
SYSTEM ELAPSED TIME
Total transmitter time on.
NAME
OF REPAIRMAN
SECTION V
MAINTENANCE
Person who actually made the re-
pair.
STATION ENGINEER
Indicates chief engineer noted and
approved the transmitter repair.
5.3.3. Safety Precautions
It is very dangerous to attempt to make
measurements or to replace components
with power on. The design
of
the transmitter
provides safety features such that when a
door is opened, an interlock switch removes
transmitter ground. Use the grounding stick
to touch every part in the area or circuit on
which maintenance is to
be performed be-
fore attempting maintenance.
5.4. Preventive Maintenance
Preventive maintenance is a systematic
series
of
operations performed periodically
on equipment. As these procedures cannot
be applied indiscriminately, specific in-
structions are necessary.
a.
Visual Inspection. Inspection is the most
important preventative maintenance op-
eration because it determines the neces-
sity for the others. Become thoroughly
acquainted with normal operating con-
ditions in order to recognize and identify
abnormal conditions readily. The rem-
edy for most visible defects is obvious.
However, care must be taken
if
heat
damaged components are located. Over-
heating is usually a symptom
of
trouble.
It is essential to determine the actual
cause
of
overheating before the heat
damaged component is replaced, other-
wise the damage will be repeated. In-
spect for the following:
1.
Overheating, indicated by discolor-
ation, bulging
of
parts and peculiar
odors.
2.
Leakage
of
grease and oil.
3. Oxidation.
4.
Dirt, corrosion, rust, mildew and fun-
gus growth.
b.
Feel. Check parts for overheating, espe-
cially rotating parts such as the blower
motor. The need for lubrication, the lack
of proper ventilation, or the existence
of
some defect can be detected and cor-
rected before serious trouble occurs. Be-
come familiar with operating tempera-
tures in order
to
recognize,
cle,vi:iti"ns
from the normal range.
c. Tighten. Tighten loose screws, bolts,
and nuts. Do not tighten indiscrimi-
nately
as
fittings that are tightened be-
888-2312-001
yond the pressure for which they are
designed may be damaged or broken.
d.
Clean. Clean parts when inspection
shows that cleaning is required.
e. Adjust. Make adjustments when inspec-
tion
shows
that
adjustments
are
neces-
sary to maintain normal operation.
f.
Lubricate. Lubricate meshing mechani-
cal surfaces at specified intervals with
specified lubricants to prevent mechan-
ical wear and keep the equipment oper-
ating normally. Do not over-lubricate.
g.
Paint. Paint surfaces with the original
type
of
paint (use prime coat
if
neces-
sary) when inspection shows rust, worn
or broken paint film.
5.4.1. Filter Cleaning
An air filter is provided in the front
of
each
amplifier Chassis. Clean the filter once a
week with warm water and a mild detergent
with replacement done
on
an as-required
basis. Additional filters may be ordered
from HARRIS to assist in maintenance.
5.4.2. Blower Maintenance
Inspect the blower and flushing for dust
accumulation periodically. Remove dust
with a vacuum cleaner and brush. Check the
blower for wear. The blower motor bearings
are sealed and lubricated for life
to
provide
trouble-free operation. A blower that is
noisy or shows wear will require replace-
ment.
Each motor is cooled by the air passing
over the motor.
If
the ambient air tempera-
ture is too high or the air flow is restricted,
the lubricant will gradually
be vaporized
from the motor bearings and bearing failure
will occur.
If
the blower is operated to move very
dusty air, the concave side
of
the impeller
blades will collect dust and the dust will
build
up
on
the blade surfaces.
If
this hap-
pens, the performance
of
the blower will be
reduced and unbalance will result with a
possibility
of
damage to the blower.
5.4.3. Maintenance Of Components
The following paragraphs provide infor-
mation for component maintenance.
5.4.3.1.
Semiconductors
Routine checking
of
semiconductors used
in the Transmitter is not required.
The best check
of
semiconductor perfor-
mance is actual operation in the transmitter.
When semiconductors are replaced, check
circuitry operation which may be affected
Replacement semiconductors should
be
of
5-1
W
ARNIN,
: , ; ;
~connect
primary
power
prior
to
servicing.
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