Checks oil quality

AV Technology has launched a handheld oil condition checker to help companies manage and monitor the lubrication of their machinery.

ROC 500 enables engineers to check the oil quality in their plant equipment on the spot, providing quick results and minimising the number of samples sent to labs.

The device uses a Tan Delta, temperature-stable oil quality sensor to measure the permittivity of each oil sample. Results are uploaded to software that contains a database of algorithms based on years of lab research into the correlation between oil permittivity and its lubrication characteristics and performance.

Permittivity values for a range of 'clean' oils are included in the database; these are verified and updated on an on-going basis.

Based on the results of the sensor testing the ROC 500 software will show a green, amber or red icon: If green, the oil is fit for purpose; if amber, it is significantly deteriorated and requires further analysis; if red the oil is not fit for purpose and needs to be changed immediately.