Condition Based Monitoring (CBM)

The best alternative concept is that, for performing correct time of maintenance ought to be determined by monitoring CONDITION and/or PERFORMANCE, provided, of course that a readily monitorable parameter of determination can be found.

The desirability of this policy, monitoring technique used, and its periodicity, will depend on the determination characteristics of the equipment. At one extreme the simple replaceable items, could be checked visually and by other simple techniques. At the other extreme the complex replaceable items require the techniques like vibration monitoring, shock pulse monitoring, oil analysis, defect analysis, debris analysis, thermography, etc. The use of instrumentation may be justified by high repair and unavailability costs.