Maintenance; Inspection; Preventative Maintenance; Machined Surfaces And Hardware - API 8512 Series Operation & Installation Manual

9. Maintenance

The following paragraphs provide general inspection and maintenance guidelines for the unit.

9.1. Inspection

Perform a visual inspection in conjunction with the maintenance activities schedule when a malfunction is
suspected, or whenever an assembly is removed or replaced.

9.2. Preventative Maintenance

While the unit requires very little preventative maintenance, it should not be subjected to physical abuse, severe
mechanical shock, high humidity, or operating temperatures outside the specification range. The instrument
should be kept free of excessive dirt and dust, since these can interfere with connector functions and with normal
heat dissipation. The following paragraphs provide the preventive maintenance that is to be performed on the
Unit.
Care should be taken to prevent strain on the interconnecting cables, since damage here may not always be
apparent. Occasionally check the external cables and connectors for signs of cracked insulation and/or bent or
worn pins. Tests show that connectors must be clean for accuracy and stability. This requires an inspection and
cleaning of each connector immediately before use. When cleaning precautions are observed regularly,
connectors can maintain their stability for over several thousand connection cycles. Refer to Appendix for more
information about cables and connectors.

9.3. Machined Surfaces and Hardware

To remove light dirt and dust from mechanical parts such as castings, covers and other hardware proceed as
follows:
Compressed air used for cleaning and/or drying can create airborne particles that may enter the
eye. Goggles/ face-shields should be worn. DO NOT direct air stream towards self or other
personnel. Pressure should be restricted to a maximum 15 psi to avoid personal injury.
Under no circumstances use a wire brush, steel wool, or abrasive compound. Using these items
will cause extensive damage to the instrument's surface. DO NOT use a nylon bristle brush in
solvent as the bristles may dissolve and cause damage to the circuit card or component.
 Use 5 psi of clean, moisture-free compressed air or preferably dry nitrogen to blow loose dirt and dust
from surface of item.
 Briskly brush isopropyl alcohol onto area to be cleaned with a fiber-bristle brush.
 Remove residue with lint-free cloth and repeat previous step as a rinse.
 When parts are thoroughly clean, dry parts using 5 psi of clean, moisture-free compressed air or
preferably dry nitrogen.
 Clean smaller mechanical parts or hardware by dipping into a container of isopropyl alcohol. Remove dirt
by brushing with fiber-bristle brush after parts have been immersed for several hours.
 Remove parts from isopropyl alcohol and rinse by immersing into a different container of isopropyl
alcohol.
 When parts are thoroughly cleaned, dry parts using 5 psi of clean, moisture-free compressed air or
preferably dry nitrogen.
Maintenance
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