Winch Load Indication & PLC Feedback Fault

Anonymized vessel case. Winch load indicators were not responding correctly even though the indicators themselves and the associated cabling tested operational. The fault was traced upstream to the signal-conversion stage feeding the PLC.

We checked the indicators and cabling, then followed the load-feedback path back into the switchboard. The failed component was identified as the WEIGEL AU 2.0 converter marked A1 in the schematics.

With that converter failed, the PLC did not receive a valid load-feedback signal, so the indicators had no correct process value to display.

The indication chain downstream of the PLC was not the primary fault. The failed A1 converter interrupted the measurement path before the PLC, explaining why replaced indicators still appeared non-responsive.

Replacement of the WEIGEL AU 2.0 converter was recommended, followed by functional testing and calibration of the load-indication chain.

No completion of that replacement and calibration was recorded in this attendance, so this case is presented as fault isolation and corrective-action definition rather than a completed repair.

This type of fault demonstrates why instrumentation problems should be traced from sensor or converter through PLC feedback to the display. A failed upstream converter can make healthy indicators appear defective and lead to repeated replacement of the wrong equipment.