The Federal Government uses radar and missile control systems to provide for the national defense. These complex pieces of electronic equipment are installed, maintained, and repaired by electronics repairers of commercial and industrial equipment. Many repairers, known as field technicians , travel to factories or other locations to repair equipment. These workers often have assigned areas where they perform preventive maintenance on a regular basis. When equipment breaks down, field technicians go to a customer's site to repair the equipment.
Bench technicians work in repair shops located in factories and service centers.
They work on components that cannot be repaired on the factory floor. Some industrial electronic equipment is self-monitoring and alerts repairers to malfunctions. When equipment breaks down, repairers first check for common causes of trouble, such as loose connections or obviously defective components. If routine checks do not locate the trouble, repairers may refer to schematics and manufacturers' specifications that show connections and provide instructions on how to locate problems. Repairers use software programs and testing equipment to diagnose malfunctions.