TIPS ON TESTING>
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There are two types of testing: destructive and non-destructive . If you are not careful you may succeed in performing the first. Before doing anything you should know two things: What and how. The what includes both what your plan to test and what you need to use. The how depends on how extensive the need, your knowledge and the equipment required. Since testing is not limited to determining if things work, but also includes how well they work; some phases will be found in other articles. Before investing in fancy test equipment, learn to use your built-ins. EYES: Look it over very carefully, since most problems are obvious. ie: bent side rods, loose screws or wires, burnt, melted or charred insulation, dirt, dust, tinsel, oil, (the best) steel wool and even a tell tale whisp of smoke . Note: NEVER use steel wool to clean track unless you like to spend a lot of time plucking it out. Motor magnets love it and the best sonic cleaner in the world will not remove it. EARS: You can hear power pack hum or overload music, clicking side rods, squealing gears or bearings, styrene metallic ping, the thud or clatter of a derailment and even judge overall loco tuning by motor pitch. NOSE: Smelling can reveal burning or burnt insulation, ozone from arcing brushes, overheated lubrication and melting plastic or paint. TONGUE : Keep it in your mouth! Do not taste things. They are probably toxic. Because of its comparatively low resistance, it can very shockingly detect very low voltages, if you like to live dangerously. LIPS: Dry lips can differentiate between plastic and metal even through paint, since metal conducts body heat away rapidly and feels cool. FINGERS: Touching can detect loose parts, tight or loose gears, binding bearings, wobbly wheels, stiff couplers and overheating. RULE OF THUMB: If you can not keep your finger on it comfortably, it is too hot. Most heat problems can be detected by this means in motors, power packs and electronic components such as transistors and integrated circuits. WARNING: Use care when feeling possibly burred screw heads and undeburred cut edges from sawing, drilling or machining. They may be very sharp or may inject splinters or slivers that require painful removal with sharp knife, needle and tweezers under a strong magnifier. ESP: Sometimes you just get lucky! With only these one can detect and correct most problems and certainly their usage should be the first step in any testing. Test equipment can be as simple as a small incandescent bulb with leads or as complicated as a computer, depending on the needs and desires. Some pieces have almost universal application while others are very specific. From his needs and pocket book, only the user can can determine what is selected. Testing must be broken down by types of devices tested to maintain manageability. Some topics may be very elementary, but others can prove extremely complicated. The choice is yours. Each type suggests different test equipment, which will be pointed out in the topic. Many specialized units will be suggested in present and future articles. Everyone's basic test equipment will probably be different, dependent on needs and cost. A reminder: some links go nowhere. Be patient. Rome was not built in a day! Those still empty will be marked with an (*). Some subtopics may be linked in other sections already.
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