Systems for oil quality monitoring

Oil condition monitoring (OCM)

Oil condition monitoring (OCM) identifies mechanical issues in machinery before performance degradation occurs. It monitors the degree of cleanliness in hydraulic oils and lubricants in various industrial settings. OCM is an important component of predictive maintenance. 

The benefits of oil condition monitoring are:

• Increased equipment productivity
• Reduced operating costs
• Fewer machinery issues

Oil condition monitoring uses oil quality sensors to provide important data for oil condition analysis. Oil condition analysis (OCA) is the process of evaluating the health of lubricating oil to assess its quality, detect contamination, and monitor machine wear.

Oil condition monitoring is a strategy to asses oil quality by tracking moisture content, particulate levels and tempeature. Oil condition monitoring is used to monitor the degree of cleanliness in hydraulic oils and coolants in various industrial settings.

Oil quality sensors for real-time monitoring

An oil quality sensor detects oil degradation and measures moisture ingress in oil in real time. They are an essential component of an oil monitoring system. They provide real-time data and insight on developing mechanical issues.

Nearly all industrial machines in virtually any environment rely on oil systems. Common operations that require oil include rotating components and transferring hydraulic energy. However, contaminated oil can damage equipment and machinery.

Monitoring moisture ingress and oil degradation in real-time greatly facilitates predictive maintenance and condition-based maintenance actions by helping reduce machine downtime.

• The LDP particle monitor series from ifm monitors the degree of cleanliness - or the level of contamination - in oils, hydraulic oils and coolants.
• The LDH oil moisture sensor series from ifm measures the relative moisture in oil.

Why OCM and OCA are important

Moisture is generally not wanted in hydraulic liquids and lubricants. Just like abrasion particles, high concentrations of water can seriously affect operation. Moisture in oil causes damage to hydraulic power units, pumps, valves, cylinders and machines.

Nearly all industrial machines in virtually any environment rely on oil systems. Common operations that require oil and lubricant include rotating components and transferring hydraulic energy. However, contaminated oil or lubricant damages equipment and machinery.

Real-time oil condition monitoring assesses oil quality by tracking moisture content, particulate levels and temperature. It uses oil condition analysis to: 

• Measure and monitor changes in lubricant properties
• Analyze contamination
• Track oil degradation