Machinery Lubrication magazine published by Noria Corporation
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/108300
primary port is a location in the system downstream of the working components where you can get a good representation of the system as a whole with one sample. As you draw samples from this location and trend the results, there may come a time when you begin to see an increase in wear debris. This is where secondary sampling ports come into play. Secondary ports allow you to track where the increased wear is coming from in the system. Generally, secondary ports should be installed after individual components to allow for monitoring of their health. For example, if you are sampling the return line of a hydraulic system and see an increase in wear debris, you would want to track where that debris is coming from within the system. In a typical hydraulic system, you would need to have a secondary port after the pump and after any cylinders or hydraulic motors in the system. This would allow you to find where the increase in wear is originating. Using proper sampling techniques is just as important as the sample valves. You must flush your sampling hardware to limit the data disturbance by environmental contamination. Typically, 54 | January - February 2013 | www.machinerylubrication.com flushing 10 times the dead space of the sample equipment will suffice and ensure that you are getting a good sample. For very dirty environments, keeping the sample bottle in a sealed bag while you draw a sample will help minimize data disturbance by outside sources. In addition, take a look at the oil sample bottles you are using. Bottle cleanliness makes a difference in the oil's particle count. If your particle counts are high, consider purchasing sample bottles that are certified "clean" or "super clean" to make certain that the disturbance is not in the bottle. For systems in which the oil samples are extremely critical, perhaps use glass bottles that are certified "ultra clean." Oil analysis data has a wealth of benefits for those who utilize it properly. By ensuring that you are sampling properly, this data is more easily trendable and the results can be more easily understood. Of course, tracking historical results is a must for any good oil analysis program. Keep striving for world-class standards and always keep an eye out for what your oil is trying to tell you. About the Author Wes Cash is a technical consultant with Noria Corporation. He is a mechanical engineer who holds a Machine Lubrication Technician (MLT) Level I certification and a Machine Lubricant Analyst (MLA) Level I certification through the International Council for Machinery Lubrication (ICML). Contact Wes at wcash@noria.com.