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Basic Maintenance for RADAC WaveGuide 5 Wave Radars

Routine visual and data checks for RADAC WG5 Direction systems installed offshore or onshore

Overview

RADAC WaveGuide 5 (WG5) wave radars are designed as maintenance-free systems with no moving parts and no calibration requirements.
This article describes basic preventive maintenance checks that may be performed by on-site personnel to confirm the system remains in good condition.

These checks are limited to visual inspection and data review only.
Any adjustment, repair, disassembly, or electrical work is out of scope and must be carried out by authorised personnel only.

Who this is for

This article is intended for:

  • On-site personnel

  • Operations and maintenance staff

  • Asset owners performing routine inspections

This article is not intended for:

  • Installation technicians

  • Electrical or network engineers

  • Personnel working inside hazardous-area enclosures

Prerequisites

Before performing the checks in this article:

  • The RADAC WaveGuide 5 system must already be installed and commissioned

  • You must have safe access to the mounting location or server room

  • You must be authorised to perform visual inspections at the site

  • The system must be operating normally

No tools are required.

Safety notes

  • The WaveGuide 5 system is an active radar device.

  • Do not open radar housings, junction boxes, or the processing unit.

  • Do not disconnect power, network, or signal cables as part of routine maintenance.

  • In hazardous or classified areas, all local safety rules, permits, and PPE requirements apply.

  • The radar emitting energy being low does not make it safe to open or modify.

If safe access cannot be guaranteed, stop and escalate.

Step-by-step

1. Perform a visual inspection (recommended every 12 months)

From a safe vantage point, visually inspect the following:

  1. Radar mounting

    • Confirm all radars are securely mounted

    • No visible loosening, corrosion, or deformation

    • No change in orientation or tilt

  2. Cables and cable glands

    • No damaged insulation

    • No cracked or loose cable glands

    • No visible water ingress

  3. Environmental condition

    • No excessive marine growth, bird fouling, or debris on or around the radar units

    • No new structures or objects in the radar beam path

  4. Junction boxes (if present)

    • Enclosures closed and intact

    • No visible corrosion or damage

  5. Processing unit (server room or cabinet)

    • Unit powered and undisturbed

    • No loose cables

    • No signs of overheating or moisture

Do not clean with solvents, open housings, or adjust hardware.

2. Perform a basic data check

Using the WaveGuide web interface or connected monitoring system:

  1. Confirm that:

    • Live data is updating

    • No persistent alarms or error states are present

    • Measured values appear reasonable for current sea conditions

  2. If available, review:

    • Communication status

    • Percentage of valid data points

    • Recent trends rather than single values

Do not change configuration settings.

Validation / What “good” looks like

The system can be considered healthy when:

  • All radar units and mounts are physically intact

  • No cables or glands show signs of damage

  • The processing unit reports normal operation

  • Data is continuous and plausible

  • No unexplained data dropouts are present

Troubleshooting

Symptom Likely cause Action
No data available Network or power issue Do not intervene; escalate
Intermittent data Environmental interference or obstruction Check for new structures or debris
Visible physical damage Mechanical or environmental impact Escalate immediately
Unreasonable values Configuration or sensor issue Contact RADAC or WISE Group support

What you must not do

On-site personnel must not:

  • Open radar housings or processing units

  • Reset the system

  • Modify configuration settings

  • Replace cables or components

  • Perform electrical measurements

These actions may void warranty and create safety risks.

FAQ (optional)

Q: How often should basic maintenance be performed?
A: A visual inspection every 12 months is typically sufficient, but this may be aligned with site O&M schedules.

Q: Does the WaveGuide 5 require calibration?
A: No. The system does not require calibration as part of routine maintenance.

Q: Can the radar be cleaned?
A: Only light external cleaning if safe and permitted by site rules. Do not use chemicals or high-pressure washing.