Condition Monitoring

Condition monitoring is the procedure of monitoring a parameter of condition in machinery; like that an important change is indicative of a developing failure. It is a main component of predictive maintenance. The make use of conditional monitoring permits maintenance to be scheduled or other actions to be taken to avoid the consequences of failure, before the failure takes place. However, a deviation from a reference value (for example temperature or vibration behaviour) must take place to identify impeding damages. Predictive Maintenance does not suppose failure. Machines along with defects are more at risk of failure as compared to the defect free machines.

Once a defect has been recognized, the failure process has already started and CM (Condition monitoring) systems can just only measure the deterioration of the state. Intervention in the early stages of deterioration is generally much more cost effective than permitting the machinery to fail. Condition monitoring (CM) has a unique advantage in that the actual load and subsequent heat dissipation which presents normal service can be seen and conditions that would shorten normal lifespan can be addressed before repeated failures take place. Serviceable machinery involves rotating equipment and stationary plant like boilers and heat exchangers.