Baseline Systems BaseStation 3200 - Manual (Page 55)

C h a p t e r 4 – T r o u b l e s h o o t i n g
Page 53
Baseline 3200
Two-wire – High Current or Shorted
The first step in troubleshooting the two-wire is to isolate what works from what does not work.
A complex system with many branches in the two-wire path can be difficult to troubleshoot
while everything is interconnected. Once a short can be isolated to a single segment of the two-
wire system, or to a single component, it becomes much easier to fix the problem.
This process will mean physically disconnecting two-wire segments and components from the
system in a logical manner. This allows for us to add back two-wire segments and components
one at a time in order to isolate the problem.

Begin by disconnecting half of the two-wire.

Next check to see if the system is running properly with just half of the two-wire
connected. If it is we know the short is with the other half of the two-wire. If it does
not we know the problem is with the connected half of the two-wire.

Once the short has been isolated to one half of the two-wire you can start breaking
connections, one at a time, in order to isolate exactly where the problem is.

Once the short has been isolated you need to find out what changed recently that
may have caused the problem.

Is there the possibility of lightning damage?

Any recent work done on the site that could have damaged the buried wire?

Etc…

If there is no apparent damage to the two-wire start disconnecting devices, one at a
time, from the shorted segment until the problem is fixed.

Once the short has been isolated as either damage to the wire or a faulty device,
repair or replace it.

Connect components on the newly corrected two-wire segment. Verify that that
adding these components does not cause additional failures.

Connect other two-wire segments, verifying correct operation as each is connected.
Lost devices | No Response
Begin by walking the two-wire and checking for what has changed that may have caused the
communication errors.

Is there just one communication error or is there a group of them?

If there is more than one, are they all on the same wire? The same physical area?

If this is the case check the connections and wiring in that area of the biLine.

Repeat as necessary
Messages | Alerts
Before you begin troubleshooting a problem, run a “Test All” from the Self-Test dial position.
Once a “Test All” has been run rotate the dial back to Auto/Run and access the Message
Summary Screen. There are dozens of messages that attempt to explain the detected condition
and provide some steps that can fix the most common causes of the condition.
As you approach problem solving situations, separate problems into two major categories: 1) it
has never worked, or 2) it worked before and now it doesn’t. In case two find out what has
changed as this might provide some insight or a place to start looking for problems.