Predictive Maintenance Definition

Predictive maintenance is the proactive identification of maintenance needs through the analysis of data collected from equipment. The goal of predictive maintenance is to reduce downtime and improve equipment reliability by scheduled repair and replacement before problems occur.

Predictive maintenance systems use sensors to collect data about equipment performance in real-time. This data is then analyzed using statistical methods and machine learning algorithms to identify patterns that indicate an impending failure. Maintenance crews can then be dispatched to address the problem before it leads to a breakdown.

Predictive maintenance can be used on any type of equipment, but it is particularly well-suited to complex industrial machinery where downtime can be very costly. Predictive maintenance is often used in conjunction with condition-based monitoring, which uses sensors to monitor equipment for signs of wear or deterioration.