Question 62

The Correct Answer is B Vibration analysis is the correct basis for condition-based maintenance (CBM) because CBM relies on **real-time monitoring of the equipment's actual physical condition** to determine when maintenance is needed. Increased vibration often signals deteriorating components (such as failing bearings or misalignment) and provides a direct indication that the asset's condition has degraded below an acceptable threshold. Here is why the other options are incorrect: * **A) Equipment running hours:** This is the basis for **usage-based maintenance** (a type of preventive maintenance), not condition-based maintenance. Maintenance is scheduled after a fixed amount of operation, regardless of the equipment's current health. * **C) Calendar based interval of time:** This is the basis for **time-based maintenance** (a type of preventive maintenance). Maintenance is scheduled strictly according to a predetermined time interval (e.g., every six months), independent of the equipment's actual operational condition or usage. * **D) Equipment breakdown:** This is the basis for **reactive maintenance** (or corrective maintenance). Maintenance is performed only *after* a failure has occurred, which is the opposite goal of proactive strategies like CBM.