PCB Diagnostics in Kenya
Diagnostics is the step that turns a board that does not work into a defined electrical problem. Sinsal's laboratory in Nairobi isolates the fault on the board itself, so the repair decision rests on evidence.
Service Overview
A circuit board rarely fails in a way that identifies itself. A dead output may come from a failed regulator, a shorted capacitor on the rail, a corrupted boot device or a damaged connector. PCB diagnostics works through those possibilities with measurement instead of replacement, so only the part that is actually at fault is touched.
This service is for organisations that need to know what is wrong with a board before deciding whether to repair it, replace it or retire the equipment. It can be requested on its own: you receive documented findings and a repairability recommendation, and repair proceeds only if you approve the scope.
Equipment We Work On
- Switch, router and access-point mainboards
- Industrial control and drive boards
- Medical equipment power and interface boards
- Server, storage and POS motherboards
- Power-supply and inverter boards
- Embedded controller boards with no documentation
Typical Failures
- No power-up, or a supply that shuts down immediately on a short
- A rail that is present but out of tolerance or noisy under load
- Random resets or hangs that appear after the board warms up
- A component that runs far hotter than its neighbours
- Boards that boot but lose communication on one interface
- Damage from a surge, liquid ingress or a failed earlier repair
Diagnostic Process
- 01Intake record: symptoms, history, previous repair attempts and any available documentation
- 02Visual and microscope inspection for burn marks, lifted pads, corrosion and cracked joints
- 03Current-limited power-up on a bench supply to read supply current without stressing the board
- 04Power-rail mapping with a multimeter and oscilloscope to find the first missing or unstable rail
- 05Thermal imaging under power to locate shorted or overloaded parts
- 06Signal tracing and continuity checks to confirm the suspect stage before anything is replaced
Repair Process
- 01Findings are written up and a repairability recommendation is given before work starts
- 02Where repair is viable, the proposed work, parts needs and expected effort are confirmed with you
- 03Repair proceeds under magnification at the failed stage only, using the PCB repair and component-level repair services
Testing and Validation
- Re-measurement of the rails and signals that were out of specification
- Functional test of the board in operation, with load where practical
- A soak period to show the fault does not return when the board warms up
What You May Receive
Diagnostic findings, Repairability recommendation, Proposed next action.
Warranty
Completed repairs are accompanied by warranty documentation. The cover, its term and its exclusions are written on the warranty document issued with the job, so they are agreed in writing for your equipment rather than assumed. Warranty applies to the repaired fault and the work carried out, not to unrelated failures elsewhere in the equipment.
Important Limitation
Diagnostics identifies the fault but does not guarantee it can be repaired. Boards with unavailable parts or extensive damage may be recommended for replacement.
Common Questions
Can you diagnose a board without a schematic?
In many cases, yes. Diagnostics relies on direct measurement of rails and signals. Where documentation does not exist, reverse engineering of the relevant circuit can be added to the assessment.
Will diagnostics change or damage my board?
Diagnostics is non-destructive by design. Power is applied through a current-limited supply and components are not removed until a repair is approved.
Do I have to approve repair after diagnostics?
No. Diagnostics can stand alone. You receive the findings and then decide whether to proceed with repair, replace the board or return it as-is.
Need to Know What Is Wrong With a Board?
Describe the equipment and the fault. Sinsal will confirm whether it is a fit for diagnostics and repair before any work begins.
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