// Catalogue

Condition Monitoring: Oil Cleanliness, Water in Oil, and Vibration Sensors

Condition monitoring tracks the health of hydraulic oil and machinery over time, so wear shows up long before a breakdown. TSA Hydraulics Engineering supplies monitoring sensors within the Sensors & Switches family of our Motors & Drives range, alongside Pressure Sensors, Temperature Sensors, Flow Sensors, and Hoses, Pipes & Fittings.

The value is in the trend, not the number. A cleanliness code of 18/16/13 means little on its own. The same code creeping up from 16/14/11 over three months means something inside is wearing. Tell us the machine, the oil and what you want to catch early, and we’ll match genuine or equivalent sensors.

// Buying guide

What Condition Monitoring Covers

Online particle counters: report the ISO 4406 cleanliness code continuously.
Water in oil sensors: show moisture as a percentage of saturation, before free water forms.
Oil condition sensors: track changes that show the oil is ageing or being contaminated.
Vibration sensors: pick up worn bearings, loose mounts and misalignment on pumps and motors.
Sampling points and kits: let you take clean oil samples for lab analysis.

Online or Sampled?

Online sensors: watch the system all the time and feed alarms to the PLC. Best for critical machines.
Bottle samples sent to a lab: cheaper, and they give detail on wear metals and additives. Best on a regular schedule.

Many sites use both: online sensors for early warning, and lab samples to find out why.

What the Readings Tell You

Particle count rising: internal wear, dirt getting in, or a filter in bypass.
Water rising: a leaking cooler, condensation or a tired breather.
Vibration rising: bearings wearing, a coupling out of line or loose mounting bolts.
Case drain flow or temperature rising: a pump or motor wearing inside.

Each one points you to a specific fix before it turns into a failure.

Setting Up a Monitoring Plan

Start with the machines that cost the most when they stop.
Take a baseline reading while the machine is healthy.
Set alarm and action limits, such as a target cleanliness code.
Review trends on a fixed schedule, not just when an alarm trips.
Record every repair, so you can see what the trend was saying beforehand.

Our lifecycle support service can help set limits and review trends with you.

Where It Pays Off Most

Mining and heavy plant: remote, dusty sites where a stoppage costs thousands an hour.
Power generation: turbine control and lube oil systems that must stay clean.
Plastics and presses: servo and proportional valves that hate dirt.
Mobile fleets: trending each machine to plan rebuilds before they fail.

Getting Good Samples

Take samples from a running system, from a proper sampling valve.
Flush the valve before filling the bottle.
Use clean, certified sample bottles.
Sample from the same point each time, so the results compare fairly.

Condition Monitoring Specifications to Check

Measured value: particles, water, oil condition or vibration
Measuring range, and ISO 4406 or NAS reporting
Pressure and flow range at the sensor
Output: 4 to 20 mA, switch, display or fieldbus
Mounting and hydraulic connection
Power supply and protection rating

Why Buy From TSA Hydraulics Engineering

As a condition monitoring supplier, we match the sensor to your machine, oil and alarm plan, not just a catalogue number. You get clear prices in AUD, OEM or equivalent options, and help sourcing condition monitoring replacement parts such as sampling valves, cables, displays and seal kits. We tell you upfront whether a part is genuine or an equivalent.

// FAQs