PBL Learning Activity • Special Edition

The Server Room is Hot!

Step in to fix a server room cooling failure, evaluate hands-on circuit bypasses, and post your key takeaways to the discussion board!

Engineers troubleshooting DC fan failure in server room

Participation & Data Consent

Informed consent for PBL learning research and activity evaluation.

By participating in this Problem-Based Learning (PBL) activity, you acknowledge that your responses (including nickname, study level, chosen solutions, and reflection notes) may be processed for educational development and research evaluation.

No sensitive personal data or full legal identities are required. You are welcome to use a display nickname.

Profile

Please provide your details before completing the challenge.

1

Objective Identification

At the end of this activity, students should be able to:

Explain how the transistor controls the ventilation fan.
Identify what happens when the transistor fails.
Select a suitable temporary bypass solution to restore the fan.
2

Problem Interaction

You and your peer are engineers responsible for maintaining a small server room cooling system. The system uses an Arduino to monitor room temperature via a DHT22 sensor. When the temperature exceeds 30°C, a 2N2222 NPN Transistor should switch ON the ventilation fan. The current temperature is displayed on a 16×2 I2C LCD.

One day, the client reports that the ventilation fan is no longer working. The room temperature has already exceeded 30°C, but the fan remains OFF. After checking the system, you find that the transistor controlling the fan has failed. A replacement is not available and may take several hours to obtain. The Arduino program cannot be modified.

Challenge:

How can the circuit be temporarily bypassed so that the ventilation fan can still be controlled manually while waiting for the replacement transistor? The temperature monitoring system and LCD must continue to operate normally.

Hardware Setup & Transistor Pinout (2N2222 NPN)
Circuit Schematic

Figure: 2N2222 Transistor Pinout (1: Emitter, 2: Base, 3: Collector), DHT22 Sensor, Server Room Light Switches, and DC Fan.

6

Self-Study Questions

What do you need to understand? Select the items that match what you still need to learn:

4

Self-Directed Learning

Generative AI Integration

Use Generative AI (e.g. ChatGPT, Gemini, or DeepSeek) to help you explore these issues. Ask clear questions, request explanations, and take short notes based on what you learn. Feel free to use your own creativity when exploring ideas.

Quick Open AI Tools: ChatGPT Gemini DeepSeek

Make sure you understand how each piece of information helps you solve the bypass challenge before proceeding to Step 5.

5

Application of Acquired Information

Evaluate the three temporary solutions and pick your strategy: *

6

Review & Synthesis

Which principle will guide you in future troubleshooting? (Select all that apply)

7

Evaluation: Reflection & Sharing

Share your takeaway to be posted automatically on the community forum!

Public Reflection Notice: Your submitted reflection and peer comments will be visible to the public discussion board for collaborative learning and educational research.

Submitting will publish your post immediately to the live discussion forum.