Do’s and Don’ts to Keep in Mind for Sampling System

International sampling standards have been laid down to nurture trust and steer clear of uncertainty in measurement. Oil sampling demands utmost accuracy and while some of the topics or aspects of oil sampling remain subjective, keeping a few do’s and don’ts in mind comes in quite handy. In this post, we are going to share a list of do’s and don’ts you should bear in mind while using oil sampling system. So, let’s dive right in.

You will find tonnes of articles on the internet emphasizing the importance of taking samples at the right time. You must always take the sample when the machine is under normal working conditions and workload.

Companies offering fast loop sampling systems say that you must refrain from sampling cold systems. The perfect timing is when the machine is under optimum stress.

 

 

One of the key considerations of sampling is to not forget filter upstream and downstream of machine components. As you already know that filters are facilitated to take out contaminants and debris. So, to find out how well the filters are functioning, you must take a sample before and after a filter for a particular particle count. So, how does this really help? 

The particle count before the filter must be higher than it is after the filter. If that doesn’t happen, you should know it is time to replace the filter. Again, condition-based filter replacements can turn out to be a game-changer, especially for highly sensitive systems.

Sampling is a serious job that requires diligence and adherence to the procedure. You must not change locations or sampling methods. Having a detailed and documented sampling procedure inclusive of who, what, where and how is mandatory, say companies manufacturing oil sampling systems. Pick a location for sampling, sampling frequency, timing in a cycle, flush volume apart from the tools and accessories to be used for a particular sample type. Here the type of lubricant, amount of fluid needed, and pressure are also key determiners.

Stay away from reusing sample tubing or using dirty sampling systems or devices. Make sure the sampling devices and valves are properly flushed before you begin the sampling process. Often overlooked, the importance of flushing cannot be emphasized enough. Failing to do so will only leave you with a sample with a prominent degree of noise.

Always make sure to take samples at proper frequencies and just as ‘the time allows’. You must adhere to the sampling frequencies religiously will help you analyze sampling with great precision.

Hope the post makes for a good read. For more information related to fast loop sampling system, feel free to get in touch with us.