Instrument Mechanic

What does an instrument technician do?

Before exploring the duties of an instrument technician, it's usually helpful to understand that not all technicians may perform the same tasks. For example, one instrument technician may review and diagnose instruments, while another technician may install instruments. A technician's duties usually depend on their seniority and specific employment responsibilities. Below, you can explore the core responsibilities of an instrument technician:

Installing

An instrument technician usually has responsibilities for installing instruments and equipment in varying environments. They may operate in a production line and install instruments throughout the production process. For example, during the process of creating a vehicle, a technician may install several instruments, such as a speedometer, oil pressure gauge, coolant pressure gauge and battery charging indicators. They might also install fixed equipment and instruments in industrial processing plants. For example, an instrument technician working at a nuclear power plant may install instruments for measuring neutron fission, neutron dose and the reactor fission rate.

Calibrating

An instrument technician often calibrates instruments during installation as well as existing instruments. This calibration is crucial for ensuring the recording of correct data. The specific calibration procedures may vary between instruments, but it usually involves testing an instrument by subjecting it to known values. This essentially teaches the instrument and allows the technician to calibrate the relationship between the instrument's measuring technique and its known values. For example, an un-calibrated global positioning system (GPS) may provide incorrect coordinates because its known values aren't relative to the user's position.

Diagnosing

Mechanical and electrical instruments often have the potential to fail or provide incorrect measurements. Depending on the complexity of an instrument, these faults may be because of varying components. An instrument technician usually operates diagnostics equipment to determine the components causing the instrumental faults. For example, an electrical voltage tester is a diagnostics tool many technicians use when determining the presence or absence of an electrical charge. The tool typically has an internal light that glows when the tool touches a component with an electrical charge, indicating instrument components that are operating as intended.

Repairing

If an instrument technician identifies the cause of an issue after performing diagnostics on an instrument, they may commence repairs. The resources, time and knowledge required to repair an instrument can vary depending on its complexity. For example, if a vehicle's high beam indicator doesn't appear, an instrument technician may diagnose the issue. They might discover a fuse has blown, in which case simply replacing the fuse may solve the issue. In some situations, an instrument may require a complete replacement, as necessary repairs might not adhere to safety standards.

Verifying and testing

Instruments involved in high-risk products and processes often require testing and safety verification. For example, the instruments on a plane require extensive verification and testing because, if some instruments fail, there may be significant consequences. An instrument technician typically tests instruments after installing and calibrating them. They often conduct simulation testing, where the technician observes the instrument's performance in varying situations. This can ensure instruments function as intended in all logical and possible circumstances, ensuring the user's safety.