Work process: systematic troubleshooting on a cooling system
Find the error by measuring your way forward step by step instead of guessing
Good fault-finding is a sequence, not a matter of luck. Always start by understanding what the system should do before looking for what is wrong.
§1. Understand the symptom
- 01What does the customer experience — doesn't cool, makes noise, freezes up, shuts down on its own?
- 02When did it occur and is it constant or does it come and go?
- 03What do the system's possible alarms or logs show?
§2. Read and compare
- 01Measure pressure on both sides and temperatures in and out
- 02Compare with what the system should show during normal operation
- 03Note deviations – they point to where in the loop the error is
§3. Narrow down the cause
- 01For low refrigerant? Look for a leak rather than just topping up
- 02Poor cooling despite correct refrigerant? Check compressor and valves.
- 03Icing or poor flow? Check filter, evaporator and air
- 04Electrical fault? Measure on sensors, relays and control with power secured.
§4. Correct, test and document
- 01Fix the fault found correctly not a temporary patch
- 02Test the system and confirm that the measurements are now normal
- 03Document defects, correction and any refrigerant
- 04Explain the cause to the customer so it can be avoided in future