Why Accurate Sample Information is Important

Garbage In, Garbage Out

In this day and age, we have all encountered a situation where our personal data is not correct; it could be the bank has an old phone number or a store has a wrong or an old email address. POLARIS Laboratories® is no different when it comes to data – one area that hinders us and our laboratories is receiving accurate fluid information with your sample.

Why the Right Fluid Information is So Critical

It’s pretty simple really. If you send in a sample with incorrect fluid information, when we compare the test results from your sample to the information submitted, (the basis of a lot of the maintenance recommendations we make to you). If that information is correct, we are able to give you precise, actionable recommendations tailored to your application. If the information is incorrect, not only do the maintenance recommendations no longer hold as much value, but in some cases, we may recommend an incorrect action or repair.

To make matters worse, your test results may be delayed. For example, with the wrong fluid identified when submitted, we may send samples back to be retested in our laboratories to confirm, what looks like on paper, to be an incorrect result. This delays the results getting back to you. A more extreme example is submitting a used engine oil as an engine coolant, meaning the wrong test package may be applied, resulting in the sample going through the complete wrong testing thus missing issues you desperately need to be identified.

Blood Work as an Analogy

A good analogy for this would be getting getting blood taken at a doctor’s office. My blood, a middle-aged man, is submitted but the paperwork is mixed up. But because of the incorrect information, my blood is tested and the results compared to a 15 year old female – a very extreme case, but it could happen. My doctor gets the results back and then instructs me to go directly to hospital because my results say I’m in critical condition. The results from my blood are considered normal for a middle-aged male, but definitely abnormal for a 15-year old female.

Better Data = Better Predictions

It’s critical to a successful fluid analysis program that all applicable fields are filled in when submitting a sample. Testing in the laboratory is heavily dependent on the submission fields and directly affects whether or not a fluid receives the right laboratory testing and you recieve the right recommendations.

Proven Impact. Proven Uptime. Proven Savings.
Let us prove it to you.

Published August 11, 2021

Open the Valve to Data-Rich Samples

Regularly sampling the oil, coolant and diesel fuel circulating within your systems used for power generation is vital to ensure the smooth and efficient operation of these systems when they are required to be used, either for back-up or permanent power.

It’s All in the Sample

Taking regular, representative samples is critical to guaranteeing accurate, actionable fluid analysis test results are determined. This helps assess the condition of your fluids and if any maintenance is required to ensure uptime of the equipment when needed.

Want to Get an Accurate Sample Every Single Time AND Save 5 Minutes Per Sample? 

Of course you do! Using sample ports and valves ensures that representative samples are taken from all systems, each and every time by confirming that the fluid extracted is representative of the bulk fluid circulating within the unit. As well as providing the ‘best sample possible’, using sample valves also significantly reduces the time and labour required when taking samples. Studies show that using sample valves instead of traditional vacuum pump and tubing method reduces the sample collection process by up to 5 minutes per system. Samples can also be taken safely whilst the equipment is running which further enhances the quality of the sample.

There’s a Valve for You

Valves can be retro-fitted to fit any system and we’re here to provide guidance on the optimum valve required for the component. In addition, we help determine the valve location for any system to ensure the best possible sample can be taken. POLARIS Laboratories® can also provide you with a valve ROI calculator to demonstrate the potential cost savings of installing and using valves for your fluid analysis program.

Make the switch today and benefit from opening the valve on labour cost savings and increases in data-rich samples.

Contact us to start installing sample valves on your equipment.

Proven Impact. Proven Uptime. Proven Savings.
Let us prove it to you.

Published August 3, 2021