feature | maintenance strategies If you can't be present, have operators note the exact time when an issue occurs. Then you can examine the log files around that time for clues. KEEP AN OPEN MIND A methodical approach to troubleshooting can help reduce the time and effort it takes to determine the root cause of an issue and find a solution. Remember to invest time in understanding why the issue occurred and how the solution resolved it. That investment will help make you a better troubleshooter and prepare you to deal with similar issues in the future. One final note: Keep an open mind. During troubleshooting, there may be an aspect of the issue that you initially misunderstood and, in turn, could prevent you from finding a solution. When you feel that you are at the end of the road with no other options, take a step back and re-evaluate the issue from the beginning. Correcting a simple misunderstanding can make all the difference. EP Jay Steinman is a mechanical engineer with control-systems integrator Huffman Engineering Inc., Lincoln, NE. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master's in Engineering Management from the Univ. of Nebraska (nebraska.edu). For information on a range of control-system issues, including troubleshooting, visit huffmaneng.com or email info@huffmaneng.com. Modular. Field Calibrated. Have the right eddy current sensor when you need it. www.emerson.com/eddycurrent JULY 2018 EFFICIENTPLANTMAG.COM | 21http://www.nebraska.edu http://www.huffmaneng.com http://www.emerson.com/eddycurrent http://www.emerson.com/eddycurrent http://www.EFFICIENTPLANTMAG.COM