Prerequisite and information

The Electronics repair is no easy task. In order to successfully repair an electronic assembly unknown to us, detailed information is essential. Furthermore, it should be ensured that the fault actually lies with this electronic part.

The necessary preparatory work for good information

As a first step, a competent person must diagnose the system/device and localise the fault. Once the defective assembly has been determined, the technician can create a fault description for us. This also includes marking the defective inputs and outputs. This process can increase the likelihood of repair and reduce costs.

Pin assignment, current flow diagram and circuit diagram

For new assemblies or devices, we will ask you for a circuit diagram and/or connector pinout. These diagrams are necessary for us to understand how the components relate to the functions of the device. We do not need the actual schematic of the circuit board, as these are usually not officially available anyway.

What is a pinout

A connector pinout is the simplest form of a circuit diagram. A connector pinout describes all the connectors of an assembly. In addition, the pin number and a description of its function are provided for each connector. The example on the left shows a connector pinout of an engine control unit.

What is a circuit diagram

An electrical schematic, circuit diagram or wiring diagram is a graphical representation of an electrical device. This representation does not take the actual physical arrangement of the components into account. The circuit diagrams show all the connectors of the individual sub-assemblies and how they are connected to one another. The circuit diagrams are handed over by the builder to the maintenance electricians or to the customer. In the example image on the right, you can see a circuit diagram of an industrial machine. Further information on the circuit diagram.

Not to be confused with electronic circuit diagrams!

Circuit diagrams also exist in electronics, and these are also referred to as schematics or circuit sketches. Circuit diagrams are a graphical representation of a circuit board, regardless of the physical arrangement of the components. These diagrams are kept under wraps by the manufacturers and rarely become public knowledge. An example of an electronic circuit diagram can be found at Hardware development under point two.

Professional repair: Diagnosis

Before we can carry out an electronics repair, we have to track down the defective components. We have various methods and options for this. First, we carry out a visual inspection for obviously defective components, mechanical damage or other suspicious traces. If no visual damage can be found, the assembly is energised and we try to reproduce the fault. To do this, we need the circuit diagram in order to simulate the necessary signals. Power supply units, measuring instruments and signal generators are used here. We also work with a thermal imaging camera to detect unusual temperatures. If no fault can be identified here, we check the fault-related components using special measuring instruments. If we are unable to find anything during this process either, then either there is no defect or there is a problem with the processor or its software. 

The repair is being carried out

After identifying the defective components, an estimate will be prepared. If you approve the estimate, the components will be replaced. Following this, the assembly will be powered up again and another attempt made to reproduce the fault. If the fault no longer occurs after the repair, we will also replace all components relevant for overhaul and clean the entire circuit board. Once everything is completed, we carry out a final test. Now, at last, your device can be shipped back to you.

Electronics vs. Electrics

It is very common for electronics to be confused with electrics. That is why we would finally like to bring clarity to the differences here. In some areas, the boundaries are increasingly blurring, making it harder and harder for the layperson to distinguish between these terms. Both terms belong to the engineering science of electrical engineering.

Electronic declaration

Electronics is about the control of current through electronic circuits. Electronic circuits consist of at least one vacuum or semiconductor component. These circuits are built on circuit boards. If you want to learn more about the components on circuit boards, visit our circuit board repair category. In the image you can see a fully equipped electronics workstation at Mosertronik.

Explanation of electrical terms

The term is the colloquial name for the study of electricity. This includes the electrical installation of a property, the fundamentals of electrodynamics and electrostatics. Examples include automotive electrics and house wiring. The generation of electricity by generators or the commissioning of motors also belongs to the field of electrics.

Automotive news posts

If you are interested in automotive electronics, you should check out the news articles Engine control unit faulty and Repair speedometer view.