Predictive maintenance
also: PdM · condition-based maintenance · condition monitoring
Scheduling maintenance from the measured condition of equipment, such as vibration, temperature or current, instead of fixed intervals or waiting for failure.
Reactive maintenance waits for breakdowns; preventive maintenance services equipment on a calendar whether it needs it or not. Predictive, or condition-based, maintenance monitors signs of wear (bearing vibration, motor current signature, filter pressure drop, compressor run patterns, battery health) and intervenes when the data shows degradation. Done well, it cuts downtime and unnecessary service visits.
It needs sensors on the right components, enough history (ideally including failures) to learn from, and maintenance processes that actually act on the predictions. ISO 13374 describes data processing and communication for condition monitoring.
Where it bites: reliable equipment rarely fails, so failure data is scarce and models often begin as rules from experienced technicians; the business case depends on the real cost of downtime versus the cost of sensors, connectivity and analytics.
Founder takeaway
Build the business case from the cost of downtime first, then instrument the components that actually fail most often.
engineer review pending