Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP) Practice Exam

Which predictive maintenance (PdM) technology involves measuring vibrations to identify mechanical issues?

1. Infrared Thermography

2. Shock Pulse Method

3. Electrical Testing

4. Vibration Analysis

The correct answer is: Vibration Analysis

Vibration analysis is a predictive maintenance technology that focuses on monitoring machinery vibrations to detect anomalies indicative of mechanical issues. By measuring the frequency, amplitude, and pattern of vibrations, maintenance professionals can identify problems such as misalignments, imbalance, worn bearings, or other faults in rotating equipment. This technique relies on the fact that changes in vibrational patterns can serve as early indicators of potential failures, allowing for timely interventions before catastrophic breakdowns occur. In contrast, infrared thermography involves detecting thermal patterns and temperature variations in equipment, which helps identify overheating components but does not specifically measure vibrations. The shock pulse method utilizes pressure waves caused by changes in vibration but is more focused on condition monitoring of rolling element bearings rather than general vibrational analysis. Electrical testing assesses electrical and insulation integrity but does not correlate to mechanical vibration issues. Thus, vibration analysis stands out as the appropriate technology for the identification of mechanical problems through vibration measurement.