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TIPS
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- Only draw oil samples from machines that are running at normal operating conditions.
- Do not draw an oil sample from a machine that is not running or just after start up.
- To ensure an accurate oil sample, drain off enough oil to clean or purge the drain valve, any piping connected to the drain valve or where contaminates may accumulate at the low point before putting oil in the sample bottle. Make sure no dirt or grime comes in contact with the oil sample or it will give an inaccurate report.
- When excessive foaming of an oil sample is evident, a larger container is helpful to allow the foaming to subside and obtain enough sample of the oil to fill the sample bottle ¾ full. A clean plastic cup works well and should not be used again after drawing the sample. Use a new clean cup for each compressor to prevent any cross contamination. With this method, multiple compressors can be sampled and will speed up the sampling process with foaming subsiding on the first oil sample while moving onto the other compressors.
- Do not remove cap from a new sample bottle until the oil sample is ready to be drawn. Since lab equipment for testing oil samples measures contaminates in parts-per-million airborne contaminates and moisture can contaminate sample. Be sure to firmly close the lid to prevent leakage. Refrigeration oils can build up a little pressure and care should be exercised to burp bottle before shipping to the lab.
- Fill out sample label completely including sample date, fluid and machinery hours, serial numbers, etc.
- Send in samples as soon as possible to the lab.
Please note: Poor oil samples result from the following:
- Dirt from the sampling valve, hands, gloves, etc.
- Dirty environment
- Lid left off the bottle for an extended amount of time.
- Sampling from a compressor that is not running or was not running at the normal or optimal temperatures.
