Oil analysis is a non-invasive diagnostic process that tests the quality of oil used to lubricate or insulate mechanical or electrical devices. It can detect worn parts, contamination, and degradation, improving device longevity and safety. Tests include spectral, insoluble, viscosity, and flash point tests.
An oil analysis is a non-invasive and non-destructive diagnostic process used to establish the health of various mechanical or electrical devices by testing the quality of the oil that lubricates or insulates them. An oil analysis can be compared to a mechanical blood test since the oil in a motor or transformer is as accurate a mirror of the overall health of the device as is a human’s blood. Common oil analysis components include testing for insoluble contaminants such as abrasive solids and carbon which can indicate worn bearings and defective compression rings. Tests for viscosity and spectral examinations for additives and metals are also common and can indicate the condition of the device and general oil quality. The oil in switchgear and high current transformers is routinely tested for the presence of carbon and moisture during oil analysis tests.
Mechanical devices such as internal combustion engines and gearboxes typically operate in an oil bath or have a sump from which oil is pumped to lubricate the moving parts of the engine. Electrical devices such as heavy circuit breakers, transformers, and resistor starters also operate in an oil-filled environment, although, in these cases, the devices rely on oil for insulation rather than lubrication. Just as the blood in a human body can tell a pathologist a lot about an individual’s overall health, the oil in these devices is also a good indicator of how well and how safely they’re working. In the case of mechanical devices, worn parts will cause metal chips, water or fuel, among other elements, to remain suspended in the oil, giving some indication that a problem exists. The presence of excessive moisture or carbon contamination in the oil of an electrical device is a sure warning of the potential for catastrophic failure of the device if the oil is not promptly recycled.
These tests are typically component parts of a comprehensive oil analysis and serve as an invaluable non-intrusive diagnostic tool for identifying problems without having to disassemble the device. Analysis usually differs based on device and environmental specifications, but different components are typical of most tests. These include spectral tests that check for heavy metals and additives in the oil as a measure of its overall quality. A test for insolubles will indicate the presence of suspended carbon, oxidation and abrasive solids resulting from wear of engine or transmission parts. A viscosity test is an indicator of both the health of the device and the quality of the oil lubricant, and if it returns a lower quality result than the specific oil rating, it can suggest general oil degradation, overheating of the device or the presence of fuel or coolant in the oil.
Flash point tests performed during an oil analysis measure the temperature at which oil vapors ignite. If the oil vapor ignites at a temperature below its rated value, it may have been contaminated, most commonly with fuel. As with the blood test analogy used above, diagnosing problems early is one of the strongest arguments for undertaking a periodic oil testing regimen and can improve the longevity, overall performance and safety of your customers. devices in question.
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