Maintain Valve Performance
Use Advanced Field Diagnostics to Avoid Unnecessary Repairs
Of all the devices that technicians monitor in the field, valves tend to be some of the most problematic and the most critical. Unlike other instrumentation, valves are often much more costly to diagnose and repair. Field technicians are often required to pull a valve to investigate a problem. Because removing valves means creating holes in the pipe, taking a valve out for inspection means shutting down the process.
In addition, valve problems can be particularly tricky to diagnose. Technicians frequently need to disassemble the valve to determine the root cause of the problem. Unfortunately this disassembly can cause further damage to the valve, making repairs more complicated and more expensive.
Valve troubleshooting is further complicated by the fact that key symptoms of a valve problem (the valve not controlling the process efficiently and/or a deviation in valve travel) can signal either a mechanical problem or a configuration problem: two issues with wildly different solutions.
Quickly detect major issues with valve stroke diagnostics
Simplifying Valve Monitoring
Valve health inevitably degrades over time The parts move, resulting in wear. However, valves don’t usually fail without warning, providing technicians have the tools to identify these warning signs.
To give technicians comprehensive control to solve valve issues, they need to have constant, easy access to advanced valve diagnostics in the field.
Using ValveLinkTM Mobile software on the AMS Trex Device Communicator and 475 Field Communicator gives technicians the ability to perform advanced valve diagnostics in the
field. They can accurately diagnose valve problems without having to pull the valve or perform potentially destructive troubleshooting.
With ValveLink Mobile software, technicians can quickly perform tests including valve signature, PD one button sweep, and step response, receiving results on an intuitive graphical interface. Test results provide a clear understanding of what is going on inside the valve, allowing for proper planning, parts procurement, and scheduling of repairs before the valve is taken out of service. This insight is also vitally important during a quick turnaround or in short maintenance durations.
Any valve issues that stem from external problems (loose connections, improper wiring, or improper configuration) will be easier and less invasive to detect, empowering technicians to make key decisions in the field. With ValveLink Mobile at their fingertips, technicians gain the flexibility to treat each problem based on the information they witness in the field, saving time and money and improving safety.