9 Troubleshooting : 9.2 Ensuring reliable operation

  
9.2 Ensuring reliable operation
The steps described in the following section are meant to ensure the reliable operation of the digitalSTROM system.
The tests are performed consecutively for every power circuit.
Avoid any operations in the tested power circuit (e.g. using push buttons) during the following tests. The described processes are excluded.
If you have removed any devices or terminal blocks from the power circuit, check the device presence before testing. See also chapter 5.3.1.
At least one digitalSTROM terminal block must be registered in and physically connected with the power circuit.
Switching on all electrical devices
Switch on all consumers in the tested power circuit (worst case) to test the transmission quality with the highest impact from potential sources of interference.

These include for instance:
- Chargers for telephones, MP3 players etc.
- PCs, laptops, monitors, printers, routers
- TV sets, radios, amplifiers
- Fluorescent lights, low-voltage lamps, ESL, dimmers
- Vacuum cleaners.
Testing the transmission quality
Select in the Hardware main section the corresponding digitalSTROM Meter and run the command Test transmission quality.
For a meaningful result you should use the value of 5 for ”Number of queries from device”.
Start the test

Sources of interference should be identified and isolated by using a digitalSTROM Device Filter (dS-FD):
- If over 10 % of queries (number of devices * number of queries is equal to 100 %) are lost
- If the mean value for the transmission quality of the upstream communication is less than 80 %.
Checking results
The measured results can also be viewed in the protocol.
 
 
 
 
Removing sources of interference
If an inadmissible number of transmission errors were detected, the source of interference must be localised and isolated.
If you have connected many electronic devices using one or several connector strips you should connect them first with a digitalSTROM Device Filter (dS-FD) and repeat the test. If the result improves considerably leave the digitalSTROM Device Filter (dS-FD) in this location. Otherwise, continue the search.
For the identification of individual sources of interference switch them off separately and repeat the transmission quality test. Considerably improves the result; the corresponding consumer should remain connected to the digitalSTROM power circuit by using a digitalSTROM Device Filter (ds-FD).

In case of devices operated for only a short period of time, so their temporary interference is tolerable, a digitalSTROM Device Filter (dS-FD) can also be done without.
Attention: digitalSTROM Devices cannot be operated after a digitalSTROM Device Filter (dS-FD)!
If several devices are identified as sources of interference you may connect them together with a connector strip and a digitalSTROM Device Filter (ds-FD). In this case you have to make sure that the maximum digitalSTROM Device Filter (dS-FD) load is not exceeded.