950-GEO2 Geothermal Troubleshooting Learning System by Amatrol
Understanding how a geothermal heat pump system works is one level of competency. Being able to diagnose it when it is not working, trace an electrical fault through the control circuit, identify a mechanical failure in the refrigeration cycle, or pinpoint a fluid system problem in the ground loop is an entirely different and more demanding level of skill. That troubleshooting competency is what separates a technician who can do routine maintenance from one who can respond to a service call, identify the problem efficiently, and restore system operation without unnecessary parts replacement or repeat visits.
The Amatrol 950-GEO2 Geothermal Troubleshooting Learning System is designed to develop exactly that advanced troubleshooting skill. Built on the same exposed component layout and residential-scale geothermal hardware as the 950-GEO1, the 950-GEO2 adds Amatrol's FaultPro electronic fault insertion system, the industry's premier troubleshooting training tool, which inserts over 25 electronic faults covering electrical, mechanical, and fluid-based failures into the actual system so that learners can practice diagnosing and resolving the real-world problems they will encounter throughout their geothermal service careers. In addition to troubleshooting, the system and its multimedia curriculum teach startup, operation, shutdown, and maintenance across the full scope of residential and commercial geothermal system competency.
Klein Educational supplies Amatrol HVACR and alternative energy training systems to CTE programs, community colleges, and technical training centers across California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, and Alaska. As the only authorized Amatrol distributor in these seven states, we help programs get the right system configured and running.
What is the Amatrol 950-GEO2?
The Amatrol 950-GEO2 Geothermal Troubleshooting Learning System uses the same exposed component layout as the 950-GEO1, with all major geothermal system components mounted and labeled on a vertical panel so that learners can easily observe, monitor, and test each component's role in the system. Sight glasses at multiple points in the system allow learners to see the refrigerant's changing state as it passes through the cycle, making the refrigeration circuit tangible and observable in a way that installed geothermal systems never are. Pressure and temperature gauges at key points provide at-a-glance performance data throughout the system.
The major components include a 2-stage compressor with a 2-ton heat pump, a ground simulator, an air duct with an ECM variable-speed blower, a ground-source loop with flow center and header loop, a water-coil heat exchanger, and a digital, programmable temperature control unit for the ground simulator. The high-density polyethylene pipe used in the ground-source loop is specified for use in actual installed geothermal systems, not a simplified substitute, giving learners direct experience with the actual materials they will work with in the field.
The temperature-controlled ground simulator creates a constant, programmable ground temperature that allows the system to run continuously, enabling both realistic performance analysis exercises and extended troubleshooting sessions without dependence on ambient conditions.
FaultPro: over 25 electronic faults for realistic troubleshooting
The defining feature that distinguishes the 950-GEO2 from the 950-GEO1 is FaultPro, Amatrol's premier electronic fault insertion and tracking system. FaultPro is the industry's only electronic troubleshooting training system, using electronically controlled circuits located within the hardware of the training system to insert realistic failures into the geothermal system without any mechanical manipulation and without risk of damage to either the equipment or the learner.
The 950-GEO2 is equipped with over 25 electronic faults covering three categories that reflect the actual diagnostic challenges of geothermal service work. Electrical faults simulate failures in the control circuit, sensors, contactors, and other electrical system components. Mechanical faults simulate failures in the compressor, blower, flow center pump, and other mechanical system elements. Fluid-based faults simulate problems in the refrigeration circuit and ground loop that affect system performance without producing obvious electrical or mechanical symptoms.
FaultPro allows instructors to instantly insert any fault and immediately begin tracking the learner's troubleshooting progress through menu-driven screens. Faults can also be pre-set for self-directed troubleshooting sessions where learners work independently without an instructor present. This flexibility makes FaultPro equally effective in structured classroom troubleshooting exercises and self-paced learning environments. The system identifies specific areas where a learner's troubleshooting approach breaks down and targets those areas with curriculum that builds the missing diagnostic competency.
The troubleshooting curriculum that accompanies each fault identifies the symptoms that characterize it and teaches the systematic troubleshooting procedures used to isolate and confirm the fault before making a repair decision, building the diagnostic thinking habits that lead to efficient, accurate field service work.
What students and trainees learn
The 950-GEO2 curriculum covers the full spectrum of geothermal system knowledge and troubleshooting skills, building from foundational concepts through component-level and system-level fault diagnosis.
Geothermal system fundamentals include geothermal heat pump system principles, closed-loop source circuit operation, ground-source loop components and piping, coefficient of performance calculation, and energy units of measure specific to geothermal analysis.
System component knowledge covers 2-stage compressor operation, condenser and evaporator operation in the geothermal context, metering device types and selection, refrigerant properties and handling, suction line accumulator and receiver operation, dryers and moisture indicators, thermostat and controller operation, and ECM variable-speed blower operation and adjustment.
Startup, operation, and shutdown topics cover system startup and checkout procedures, normal operating parameter verification, system performance monitoring using gauges and temperature measurements, sight glass interpretation throughout the refrigeration cycle, and proper shutdown procedures.
Maintenance topics cover flushing, purging, and charging the ground source loop with glycol/water solution, routine maintenance procedures for all major system components, and preventive maintenance schedule development.
Troubleshooting topics cover systematic fault isolation approaches for electrical, mechanical, and fluid-based fault types, interpreting symptom patterns to narrow fault location before testing, using pressure gauges, temperature measurements, and electrical test points for diagnostic verification, diagnosing each of the over 25 specific faults included in FaultPro, and developing the efficient, accurate troubleshooting habits that minimize service time and repeat callbacks.
The multimedia eLearning curriculum
The 950-GEO2's multimedia curriculum is highly interactive and features audio, text, and 3D graphics. The depth and breadth of knowledge covered, particularly in the troubleshooting area, reflects Amatrol's specific focus on developing real-world competency rather than textbook familiarity. The curriculum is structured so it can be delivered in a traditional classroom setting or followed at a self-directed pace, making it suitable for both instructor-led programs and self-paced training environments. The curriculum serves as a strong starting point toward obtaining IGSHPA certification, covering foundational topics such as startup and checkout procedures, flushing, purging, and charging the system.
How the 950-GEO2 relates to the rest of Amatrol's geothermal lineup
The 950-GEO2 is the troubleshooting-capable evolution of the 950-GEO1 Geothermal Learning System, adding FaultPro electronic fault insertion to the same hardware platform. Programs that already have the 950-GEO1 and want to extend into troubleshooting training should consult Klein Educational about the upgrade path. Programs building a new geothermal program from scratch who know they want troubleshooting capability should consider starting with the 950-GEO2 directly.
For programs that also want to teach desuperheater operation and troubleshooting, the 950-GEO2D Geothermal Troubleshooting Learning System with Desuperheater includes everything in the 950-GEO2 plus the desuperheater system and additional faults related to its operation. The 95-GEO3 Geothermal Flush Cart Learning System can be added to any geothermal system to teach dedicated loop flushing, purging, and charging skills.
How Klein Educational supports your program
Klein Educational is more than an equipment supplier. We work with program directors, department heads, and workforce administrators from the first conversation through delivery and beyond. That includes needs assessment, system configuration, and support to ensure your program gets the right 950-GEO2 setup for your curriculum and facility.
As the only authorized Amatrol distributor in California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, and Alaska, we have direct access to the full Amatrol HVACR and alternative energy product line, curriculum, and support infrastructure.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Amatrol 950-GEO2? The 950-GEO2 is a geothermal heat pump troubleshooting learning system built around an exposed component vertical panel layout with a 2-stage compressor, 2-ton heat pump, ground simulator, ECM blower, ground-source loop, and pressure, temperature, and sight glass monitoring throughout, equipped with FaultPro electronic fault insertion for over 25 electrical, mechanical, and fluid-based troubleshooting faults.
What is FaultPro and how does it work? FaultPro is Amatrol's electronic fault insertion and tracking system, the industry's only truly electronic troubleshooting training tool. It uses electronically controlled circuits within the training system hardware to insert realistic failures into the geothermal system without mechanical manipulation or equipment damage risk. Over 25 faults are available covering electrical, mechanical, and fluid-based failure types, with instructor tracking of learner troubleshooting progress through menu-driven screens.
What is the difference between the 950-GEO1 and the 950-GEO2? The 950-GEO1 is the foundational geothermal learning system covering system operation, startup, shutdown, and maintenance. The 950-GEO2 adds FaultPro with over 25 electronic troubleshooting faults covering electrical, mechanical, and fluid-based geothermal system failures, adding advanced troubleshooting competency development to the same hardware platform.
What is the difference between the 950-GEO2 and the 950-GEO2D? The 950-GEO2D includes everything in the 950-GEO2 plus a desuperheater system and additional FaultPro faults related to desuperheater operation. Programs that want to teach desuperheater troubleshooting alongside core geothermal system troubleshooting should consider the 950-GEO2D.
Does the 950-GEO2 support IGSHPA certification preparation? Yes. The 950-GEO2 curriculum is a strong starting point toward IGSHPA certification, covering startup and checkout procedures, flushing, purging, and charging the system, and the core geothermal system knowledge the certification requires.
Does Klein Educational help with system configuration? Yes. Klein works with programs from needs assessment through system configuration and delivery, ensuring programs get the right geothermal troubleshooting training setup for their curriculum and facility.
Ready to Build a Geothermal Troubleshooting Training Program?
Whether you are adding advanced troubleshooting to an existing geothermal curriculum or building a complete geothermal technician training pathway from the start, our team will help you find the right 950-GEO2 configuration for your needs and budget.