Breakdown Support
Expert RF solutions and maintenance support
At PRF Solutions, our extensive expertise in engineering, controls, RF applications, research and development, site support, along with our focus on building long-term relationships with customers and suppliers, ensures we maintain our reputation as one of the world’s leading RF engineering and spare parts providers.
We highly recommend that all RF machine users complete our training programs to prevent machine breakdowns from occurring. This page provides typical root causes that leads to machine breakdowns.
Extreme Danger!
RF dryers and RF dielectric heating equipment operate typically at a supply of 11,000 Volt DC. That is four times the voltage used on the US electric chair!
Never attempt fault finding on live equipment with safety interlock bypassed, doors open or guards removed. High voltage capacitors retain charge after isolation.
Always isolate equipment, lock it, tag it and discharge capacitors with a suitable grounding probe connected to earth through the metal cabinet.
If in any doubt, do not work on the RF equipment. Contact PRF Solutions for advice.
Fault finding
General maintenance
We are finding that accumulated dirt, insufficient or incorrect cooling and inadequate airflow are the most common cause of RF Dryer faults. While we understand that our clients must find ways to keep running costs to a minimum, we strongly advise users of RF equipment to take care of their valuable asset.
Wear and tear
Wear and tear of consumable component parts is another cause of RF Dryer faults. PRF can provide replacement parts to OEM standard.
However, because the design of oscillators used in RF Dryers has changed very little since 1950s, some essential original parts are now obsolete. If left unchecked, these could fail, resulting in extended downtime and lengthy replacement part lead times.
PRF source, design and retrofit proven alternatives to obsolete component parts to extend the operational use of the equipment.
Parameter adjustments
Parameter adjustments made to the equipment without understanding the implications, often result in major faults in RF Dryers. Machine operational settings have a small range of tolerance and operating outside these parameters could have a knock-on effect to the reliability of the machine or impair the RF application process, affecting the end products.
Staff turnover
High staff turnaround often leads to lack of training and understanding of the RF equipment. Sometimes quick fixes affect the integrity of the RF equipment. The reliable characteristics of dielectric drying are necessarily confined to specific tolerances of assemblies and components. PRF engineers are more than happy to share knowledge and experience of RF equipment use and maintenance to ensure optimum performance.