Possible Reasons Why That Fiberscope Stopped Working
Fiberscopes offer great flexibility -- no pun intended -- when inspecting tight, hidden places for problems like pests and damage. But if the scope has stopped working, you know you need to get that fixed quickly, and you may be worried about what the repair will entail. The potential reasons are a mixed bag, with one being very simple to fix and the others being more difficult. Here's a look at some potential issues.
Corrosion
It is possible that the scope has become corroded on the inside, and the resulting corrosion could have made the scope stiffer, so it is less able to bend or send back a picture that makes sense. If you notice that there is a point after which the scope won't bend properly, that could be the area where the corrosion is. The scope should be enveloped in a sheath that protects it from dirt and moisture, but this sheath, like any protective covering, can crack a bit. Moisture could have gotten inside and wrecked the scope, making it immobile instead of extending and bending.
Too Much Bending
It's also possible that you forced the fiberscope around a bend that was too tight, leading to the fiberscope breaking down. If the insulation has cracked and is interfering with the wiring inside, that could make the scope appear to be immobile. If the lens scraped against a surface when you were trying to force it around a bend, you might see only a distorted picture.
Debris on Lens
There could also be dirt on the lens; clean the fiberscope before anything else. If the fiberscope usually sits in areas that are less than sanitary, be sure you do clean the fiberscope before putting it away after each use. Remember that dirt and dust can build up, so every once in a while, the fiberscope needs to undergo a deep clean that is more intense than normal.
External Problems
It could also be that the fiberscope itself is fine, but the computer you're using to view wherever the lens is, is not working correctly. Connection and software problems are easier to fix because you can try using the scope with a separate computer. If you have no problems with the scope after moving it, then you know the first computer was to blame.
A quick inspection by an industrial fiberscope repair tech should be enough to diagnose most problems. Repairs should generally be reasonable and not take that long; if the fiberscope is too far gone, you can always get another.
