In a text from the korean trucking magazine 상용차신문 I encountered several sentences like the following:
험로탈출을 위해 가변축 하강상태에서 수동조작장치 작동 시 가변축이 상승하지만, 일부 조건이 충족되면 자동으로 가변축이 하강된.
Which I would translate to: When the liftaxle is lowered while leaving a rough road, it may be risen but it might automatically be lowered if some conditions are met.
The interesting part for me is the usage of 시. Noun 시 following clause. I wasn’t able to find anything on that googling it or in my grammar books and putting some simple sentences using that structure in the writing exchange made people exchange the grammar with something else. But as the article writer, who is Korean based on the name and the fact it is a korean magazine, uses it and it is used in excerpts taken from legal texts, I assume it to be a legit grammar.
As far as I understand it it means something like if, when or during in that context. Google translator does translate it with that meaning, too.
My questions are:
- How exactly is this grammar supposed to be used?
- What is the exact meaning?
- How does it differ from the usage of 동안 or V+(으)면 or similar grammar points?
Here is the link to the original text: 7월부터 화물 무게 따라 ‘바퀴 축’ 작동하는 ‘자동 가변축 시스템’ 의무화 된다 < 기획 < 종합 < 기사본문 - 상용차신문
감사합니다. 
I am a native Japanese speaker and currently learning Korean. Therefore, I apologize in advance for any mistakes in the following explanation.
“시” corresponds to the Sino-Korean word “時” and literally refers to time.
Since “시” is a Sino-Korean word, it pairs well with other Sino-Korean words. I inferred this based on the fact that Japanese has a similar structure.
“동안” means the entire duration of a period, while “(으)면” indicates a hypothesis or condition.
“시” shares a similar meaning with “때.”
“작동하는 때” can be rephrased as “작동 시,” which is shorter and more formal.
However, based on the vocabulary used in the text you’re reading, it seems that your Korean ability is higher than mine.
Addition:
I checked the writing exchange. I suspect that the content being dealt with is too casual, which may have made it seem awkward.
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I’m a native Korean. The answer @aslemon301 made seems correct.
You’re correct that “시” following a noun or clause often implies “when” or “during,” but its usage has specific characteristics that differentiate it from other similar grammatical structures. Let’s break it down:
1. How “Noun/Clause + 시” is Used:
- Specific Context: It typically appears in formal writing, often in technical manuals, legal documents, instructions, or situations where precise timing or conditional execution is crucial.
- Describes a Situation or Action: The noun or clause preceding “시” defines a situation in which a specific action or result occurs. It’s less about a general condition and more about a clearly defined moment.
- Often Implies Predictability (but not always): “Noun/Clause + 시” often suggests that when that situation occurs, then the consequence stated in the rest of the sentence will occur. The consequence is presented as something that generally follows from/is predictable given the preceding circumstance.
2. Exact Meaning:
- Closest Meaning: Think of it as “at the time of,” “in the event of,” “during the period of,” or “when X occurs.” It emphasizes the point in time (or the state) defined by the preceding noun or clause.
3. Differences with 동안, (으)면, and Other Structures:
-
동안 (during): While 동안 also denotes a duration, it specifically focuses on the length of time during which something happens. “시” is more focused on the point when something starts or exists. Therefore, “동안” is most of the time used with verbs, while “시” is frequently used with nouns.
- Example: “작업 동안 안전모를 쓰세요.” (Wear a helmet during the work.) - Focus is on the continuing period.
-
(으)면 (if, when): (으)면 expresses a general condition or hypothesis. “시” is usually used with a situation or a fact, while (으)면 is used with a condition or supposal.
- Example: “비가 오면 집에 있을 거예요.” (If it rains, I will stay home.) - Expresses a hypothetical.
- Example: “오류 발생 시 관리자에게 문의하세요.” (When an error occurs, contact the administrator.) – Describes the action to take when a specific situation arises. Using (으)면 can still get your point across, but it is not natural and not really suitable for a manual.
-
Other Similar Grammar (e.g., -ㄹ 때): -ㄹ 때 (when doing something) is more general and common than “시.” “시” leans towards a more formal or technical tone.
- Example: “운전할 때 조심하세요.” (Be careful when driving.).
- Example: "작동 중지 시, 전원을 차단하십시오.” (When the operation stops, cut off the power.) – Instruction manual or technical document.
Applying to Your Example:
Let’s re-examine your original sentence:
험로탈출을 위해 가변축 하강상태에서 수동조작장치 작동 시 가변축이 상승하지만, 일부 조건이 충족되면 자동으로 가변축이 하강된.
A more nuanced translation, keeping the formality, is:
“When the manual control device is operated during the state where the lift axle is lowered to escape a rough road, the lift axle may rise; however, if certain conditions are met, the lift axle will automatically lower.”
Here’s why “시” is used:
- Specific State: “가변축 하강상태에서 수동조작장치 작동 시” precisely defines the situation: the lift axle is lowered for rough terrain, and manual controls are being used.
- Predictable Action: At that specific moment and in that situation, the axle might rise.
In Summary:
“Noun/Clause + 시” is a formal grammatical construct that signifies “at the time of,” “in the event of,” or “during the state of.” It’s best used when describing what happens specifically when a particular situation exists, often in technical, legal, or instructional contexts. While similar alternatives exist, “시” adds a layer of formality and emphasizes the conditional aspect of the action that follows.
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Thank you both for the answer.
The text had 53% unknown words when I started reading it, so I may not be that much higher then you as you think 
I was just surprised that I wasn’t able to find any (English) documentation on the grammar point. 
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In fact, it was quite complicated because it was legal stuff, and even I couldn’t understand the overall meaning just by skimming it once.
Well, I was already familiar with the topic, just not in a South Korea specific way, which made it understandable. I stumbled across the article when I tried to find out more about heavy duty truck weight limitations in South Korea. Not my typical language learning material, though 
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