Automated systems are the backbone of industrial manufacturing, processing, and distribution. Technicians in the field are expected to not only understand how these systems work, but also diagnose and resolve issues quickly, accurately, and safely. While understanding how systems work is essential, knowing how to fix them is what sets skilled professionals apart.
You've built knowledge in motors, controls, and PLCs; now it's time to apply it all. Throughout this course, you'll troubleshoot complete systems, follow proper safety procedures, use instrumentation, and document your work like a technician in the field.
This course simulates industry expectations by preparing students to:
Before beginning this course, you should have taken the following courses:
Do not take this course if you have not completed these courses.
In industry, employers expect you to be professional (timeliness and communication) and to follow all safety procedures (appropriate dress, PPE, and lockout/tagout). They also expect you to have the skills to solve faults quickly. Understanding how systems work and understanding how to troubleshoot them (using the troubleshooting methodology) will help you solve faults quickly. The labs in this course are organized in a way to simulate industry expectations.
In industry, downtime can cost thousands of dollars per hour, so technicians must solve faults efficiently—not by rushing, but by showing they truly understand how the whole system works together. That’s why assessments in this course are timed: the limit is not just a test of speed, but a simulation of real-world pressure that requires you to stay focused, follow the troubleshooting methodology, and communicate clearly while resolving the fault.
To help you prepare to solve faults efficiently, there will be a "Preparation Page" before the actual assessment. Use the contents of these pages to prepare to solve faults efficiently.
Another aspect of industry preparation is professionalism. To emphasize the importance of punctuality, preparation, safety, communication, and competency, there will be key steps you will need to complete during the assessment.
Failure to complete any of the above steps will result in the instructor stopping the assessment.
If the assessment is stopped, you will need to reschedule and retake the assessment. For each attempt taken, the overall points possible to earn will be reduced. (That is, failure to be professional and prepared will lead to a lower grade.)
For each assessment, you will be graded on the following:
In industry, employers expect you to be professional (timeliness and communication) and to follow all safety procedures (appropriate dress, PPE, and lockout/tagout). They also expect you to have the skills to solve faults quickly. Understanding how systems work and understanding how to troubleshoot them (using the troubleshooting methodology) will help you solve faults quickly. To simulate this need to solve faults effectively, you will be required to complete assignments within a certain time limit.
To succeed in this course: