4. State three objectives of maintenance Explain the concept of condition monitoring

1. Objectives of Maintenance:

   a. Minimize Downtime: One of the primary objectives of maintenance is to ensure that machines and equipment are in good working condition and to minimize downtime due to breakdowns.

   b. Prolong Equipment Life: Regular maintenance helps in prolonging the life of equipment and machinery, thus saving the costs associated with replacing them.

   c. Ensure Safety: Regular maintenance is crucial to ensure the safety of the workers. Faulty equipment can lead to accidents, making maintenance a key aspect of workplace safety.

2. Concept of Condition Monitoring:

Condition monitoring refers to the process of monitoring a parameter of condition in machinery, such that a significant change is indicative of a developing failure. It is a major component of predictive maintenance. The use of condition monitoring allows maintenance to be scheduled, or other actions to be taken to prevent consequential damages and avoid its consequences. Condition monitoring has a unique benefit in that conditions that would shorten the normal lifespan of a component or system can be addressed before they develop into major failures. Condition monitoring techniques are normally used on rotating equipment, auxiliary systems and other machinery (compressors, pumps, electric motors, internal combustion engines, presses), while periodic inspection using non-destructive testing techniques and performance monitoring are used for static plant equipment (boilers, heat exchangers, piping, valves).