Frequently asked questions

Yes. At Level 1 the readings appear on the monitoring screen at the machine. At Level 2 a local server collects them over your plant network. You only need internet for Level 3. That level lets you watch machines from anywhere and get alerts by phone and email. Details

That is your choice. At Level 1 the data stays in the device. At Level 2 it stays on your own plant server and never leaves the site. The data goes to the online server only if you choose Level 3. Details

Yes, and you do not have to start again. You can begin with one machine. Later you can add a local server and then online access. The same software runs on a plant server or online. You can also move online monitoring back to a local server if you prefer. Details

Oil only turns cloudy at roughly 0.1% or more suspended water (NASA RCM Guide). By the time you can see it, it may be too late. The sensor measures water as ppm and water activity. It warns you as soon as the level starts to rise. Water degrades lubrication and increases corrosion (US DOE FEMP Guide), and it can shorten bearing life. Details

Viscosity is how thick the oil is. Thickening usually points to ageing (oxidation) or overheating. Thinning can point to fuel dilution or the wrong oil grade. The trend tells you whether to plan an oil change or to check for leaks and the oil type. Details

No. DataMonitor detects warning signs and gives early alerts. Examples are oil thickening, water or dirt in the oil, or rising vibration. Metal identification, acid and base number (TAN/TBN) and vibration spectrum (FFT) analysis need a lab and a specialist. DataMonitor works alongside them. Details

They work best together. A lab offers a wide range of in-depth tests. Its results arrive after the sample is shipped, and they only reflect the day it was taken. Real-time monitoring measures continuously and raises an alarm when a limit is crossed. So monitoring suits the daily watch, and the lab covers periodic in-depth checks. Details

No. It complements lab analysis. Online monitoring shows viscosity, water, particles and ageing continuously. It covers the days between samples. Tests such as metal type and TAN/TBN still need a lab. We also check the online results against lab tests on samples. Details

Any industry that runs gearboxes, hydraulics, compressors, turbines or engines can benefit. The most common are cement, steel, automotive suppliers, plastic injection, construction equipment, paper, power generation, food and beverage, marine and mining. The critical equipment and the risks vary from one industry to another. The aim is always the same. We want to show changes in the oil before the machine stops. Details

In a gearbox, ageing oil, water or a rising wear-metal trend can be an early sign of gear or bearing trouble. In hydraulics, dirty oil is one of the main causes of valve and pump wear. Operation can be affected once water contamination reaches 1–2% (US USACE). Monitoring the oil helps you see these changes before the machine stops. Details

A portable analyzer needs no installation. You pour in a sample, measure it and save the result. This suits teams that check many machines on rounds. An online monitoring system has a sensor fixed to the oil line. It monitors a critical machine continuously, and it also tracks particle contamination (ISO 4406) and metal wear. Details

For rotodynamic pumps the reference framework is ISO 10816-7. ISO 20816-3 covers other industrial machines, but it excludes these pumps from its scope. Our system measures vibration level (RMS velocity) and temperature and tracks the trend. It makes no claim of compliance. Its purpose is symptom detection and early warning. Details

With sensors alone you build the screen, alarms and integration yourself. A cloud subscription comes with a ready dashboard. It needs internet and a recurring fee, and your data is held in the cloud. DataMonitor puts oil, vibration and temperature in one system. We handle the monitoring screen, alarms, installation and limit settings. You decide whether the data stays in your plant or goes online. Details

Multiply your hourly downtime cost by the hours lost. Then add the difference between an unplanned repair and a planned one. The hourly cost varies widely. Among large global companies it was reported at an average of $2.3 million in automotive manufacturing and $187,500 in heavy industry (Siemens, 2024). Get your own figure from your finance team and enter it in the savings calculator. Details

The savings come from fewer unnecessary oil changes, from turning some unplanned stops into planned work, and from fixing damage while it is still small. The cost of the monitoring system is deducted from that total. The result depends on your plant, so we cannot promise a figure in advance. We can run the calculation with your machine and your own numbers. Details

An ISO 4406 code describes solid particle contamination in oil with three numbers. Each number covers a different particle size. Higher numbers mean dirtier oil. An online particle counter reports the code continuously. A rising code can point to a failing filter, a worn seal or dust getting in. Details

A rising wear-metal particle trend can show that gear or bearing wear is increasing. That is an early signal to plan a repair. The sensor tracks the particle counts and their trend. It does not identify the metal. That needs lab analysis. Details

The multi-parameter oil sensor measures viscosity from 1–1000 cSt (±⁠5%). It measures dissolved water from 0–5000 ppm (±⁠10%) and water activity from 0–1 aw. The moisture-in-oil sensor covers 0–5000 ppm and 0–1 aw (±⁠0.03). These are data sheet values, and results in your plant may vary. The full data sheet is available on request. Details