PIM Fundamentals, PIM Testing and Troubleshooting, and Site Certification
As more installers and technicians take to the field with portable PIM Test Sets, the number of unqualified people running the test equipment and performing questionable site certifications is increasing at a disturbing rate.
Given the number of phone calls, emails and Web inquiries from the field, it seems that more and more people are out there running equipment and signing off on site certifications when they have very little idea of what they are doing. They may (or in some cases, may not) know what buttons to push to operate the test equipment, but their lack of knowledge about PIM fundamentals -- in particular, the testing process and troubleshooting techniques -- prevents them from being effective and efficient. Worse, it means that their test results are questionable, which in turn means that “certified” sites end up needing subsequent PIM testing. That translates to unsatisfied customers and increased costs for everyone.
To help offset this trend, we are introducing a new series of articles covering PIM Fundamentals, PIM Testing and Troubleshooting, and Site Certification. We hope the short articles will help both the folks in the field and the people reading the reports. Although the articles are a start, the ultimate solution is formal training, and preferably a course with a hands-on approach to teaching about the test equipment and the fundamentals needed to be a competent PIM technician. We are happy to discuss training options with you.
Given the number of phone calls, emails and Web inquiries from the field, it seems that more and more people are out there running equipment and signing off on site certifications when they have very little idea of what they are doing. They may (or in some cases, may not) know what buttons to push to operate the test equipment, but their lack of knowledge about PIM fundamentals -- in particular, the testing process and troubleshooting techniques -- prevents them from being effective and efficient. Worse, it means that their test results are questionable, which in turn means that “certified” sites end up needing subsequent PIM testing. That translates to unsatisfied customers and increased costs for everyone.
To help offset this trend, we are introducing a new series of articles covering PIM Fundamentals, PIM Testing and Troubleshooting, and Site Certification. We hope the short articles will help both the folks in the field and the people reading the reports. Although the articles are a start, the ultimate solution is formal training, and preferably a course with a hands-on approach to teaching about the test equipment and the fundamentals needed to be a competent PIM technician. We are happy to discuss training options with you.