List three condition monitoring techniques used in CBM.

• A. Vibration analysis, infrared thermography, and oil (lubricant) analysis.
• B. Temperature readings, flow rate, and color inspection.
• C. Torque measurement, speed measurement, and weight.
• D. Oil change scheduling, seal replacement, and paint inspection.

Answer: (A)

Condition monitoring relies on collecting signals that reveal the health of equipment without taking it offline. The best trio for CBM combines what you can measure on rotating machines to catch different fault types early.

Vibration analysis detects how components are moving. By analyzing vibration levels and specific frequency components, you can spot imbalances, misalignment, looseness, bearing faults, and gear problems. Changes in amplitude or the appearance of characteristic fault frequencies point to developing issues before a catastrophic failure.

Infrared thermography uses heat patterns to show where things are overheating or rubbing abnormally. A hotspot can indicate insufficient lubrication, misalignment, overload, or failing bearings. Seeing temperature maps helps you locate problems that aren’t yet obvious from the outside.

Oil (lubricant) analysis looks at the oil itself: wear metals, contaminants, viscosity, and oil condition. Elevated metal particles signal bearing or gear wear, while contaminants or degraded oil point to lubrication system problems. This analysis helps predict when oil or filters should be changed and flags internal wear before it leads to failure.

Together, these techniques provide a well-rounded view of mechanical health, enabling maintenance to be scheduled based on actual condition rather than on guesswork or fixed intervals. The other options mix measurements and actions that aren’t primary CBM signals or are more about maintenance tasks than monitoring health.