Oil Analysis Testing Can Help Reduce Downtime

Oil analysis testing of machine lubricants is performed as part of the practice of condition monitoring and can provide a host of information regarding the health and condition of the machinery. Since lubrication of equipment is so important to its proper function and maintenance, lubricant testing is crucial in obtaining precise and significant information regarding the state of the machinery.

Proper lubrication can make a huge impact on the function of any machine and can influence many other aspects of its operation as well. The attributes of machine oil can change due to degradation, contamination or even due to decrease in the quantity of lubricant and can cause machine damage or collapse resulting in loss of valuable production time. Oil analysis testing is therefore a crucial tool in the process of condition based maintenance as a means of obtaining advanced warning of atypical conditions.

Oil analysis testing is performed to acquire data on the lubricant and its fundamental properties and should comprise of the testing of new oil, used oil and wear debris analysis. Expensive repairs can then be prevented by tracking this information and comparing them with standard trends to reveal any possible deviations that could indicate trouble. An effective condition monitoring program with a good lubricant analysis process can save the company many times the cost of the program.

Success in oil analysis is largely dependent on consistent and accurate sampling. Meaningful data can only be obtained by carefully observing consistent guidelines on all aspects of sampling such as the selection and location of sampling sites, sampling equipment, procedure, frequency, testing methods and documentation. Both new oil and used oil analysis should be completed to aid in contamination control. Many condition monitoring companies are available to provide plant personnel with the training and all the tools required for proper sampling. They can help choose the appropriate tests to perform so that, meaningful data can be collected. Off-site laboratory testing, data analysis and reporting are also offered by condition monitoring contractors.

A good oil analysis testing system is principalto any condition monitoring program because many experts believe that oil analysis is capable of detecting machine wear earlier than other testing processes such as vibration analysis. A competent oil analysis program can afford many great benefits such as increasing the efficiency, reliability and availability of plant machinery. It can also decrease downtime and bring down maintenance costs that are related to oil changes, labor and repairs.

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