Certified Reliability Leader (CRL) Practice Test

What type of faults does vibration analysis effectively detect?

1. Fluid contamination

2. Misalignment or imbalance

3. Corrosive wear

4. Temperature anomalies

The correct answer is: Misalignment or imbalance

Vibration analysis is a widely used technique in predictive maintenance that effectively detects mechanical faults such as misalignment and imbalance in rotating machinery. When machinery components are not aligned correctly or have an imbalance in mass, they will generate specific vibration patterns that can be monitored and analyzed. Through vibration analysis, subtle changes in frequency, amplitude, and patterns can indicate the presence of misalignment or imbalance before they lead to more significant issues or failures. This early detection allows for corrective actions to be taken, minimizing downtime and maintenance costs. The targeted nature of vibration analysis in identifying these mechanical issues distinguishes it from other conditions that might require different diagnostic methods. While fluid contamination, corrosive wear, and temperature anomalies are critical issues that can affect machinery integrity and performance, they may not produce the distinct vibration signatures that vibration analysis is designed to detect. For example, fluid contamination might be best identified through oil analysis, while temperature anomalies are typically monitored using thermal imaging or temperature sensors.