CPT Preventive Maintenance Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of lubrication in preventive maintenance?
- To increase equipment weight
- To reduce friction and wear between moving parts (Correct answer)
- To cool the motor windings
- To prevent electrical shorts
Correct answer: To reduce friction and wear between moving parts
Lubrication reduces friction and wear between moving parts, extending equipment life and preventing premature failure.
Question 2: Which document type provides the manufacturer's recommended PM intervals and procedures for specific equipment?
- Process flow diagram
- P&ID
- Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) manual (Correct answer)
- Hazard analysis report
Correct answer: Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) manual
OEM manuals specify manufacturer-recommended maintenance intervals, lubrication types, torque values, and inspection criteria.
Question 3: A technician notices a slight vibration on a pump that was not present during the last PM. What is the BEST immediate action?
- Ignore it until the next scheduled PM
- Document it and notify the maintenance supervisor (Correct answer)
- Immediately shut down the pump
- Add more lubricant to all bearings
Correct answer: Document it and notify the maintenance supervisor
New vibrations should be documented and reported so they can be investigated and corrected before causing equipment failure.
Question 4: What is the purpose of a PM checklist?
- To replace the work order system
- To ensure all required tasks are consistently performed and documented (Correct answer)
- To eliminate the need for trained technicians
- To schedule overtime for maintenance crews
Correct answer: To ensure all required tasks are consistently performed and documented
PM checklists ensure every required task is performed consistently and provide a documented record of completed maintenance activities.
Question 5: When should a technician calibrate a pressure gauge during a PM activity?
- Only when the gauge reads zero
- When readings deviate from known reference values or per the calibration schedule (Correct answer)
- Every ten years
- Only after a process upset
Correct answer: When readings deviate from known reference values or per the calibration schedule
Gauges should be calibrated when readings deviate from references or according to a scheduled calibration interval to ensure accuracy.
Question 6: Which type of bearing failure is most commonly caused by inadequate lubrication?
- Electrical pitting
- Spalling due to overload
- Brinelling from impact
- Adhesive wear and scuffing (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Adhesive wear and scuffing
Inadequate lubrication leads to metal-to-metal contact, causing adhesive wear and scuffing on bearing surfaces.
Question 7: What action should be taken BEFORE performing PM on a rotating piece of equipment?
- Increase process flow through the unit
- Apply lockout/tagout (LOTO) to isolate energy sources (Correct answer)
- Remove all nearby fire extinguishers
- Notify customers of potential delay
Correct answer: Apply lockout/tagout (LOTO) to isolate energy sources
LOTO must be applied before any PM work on rotating equipment to prevent accidental startup and protect the technician.
CPT Preventive Maintenance Procedures 2
What is the primary purpose of lubrication in preventive maintenance?