One of the biggest problems for industries is equipment damage.  Not only can damaged equipment lead to improperly made products, but if it’s severe enough, it could even cause a shutdown.  This leads to dramatic losses in both productivity and profits.  In order to avoid these kinds of operation failures, it’s important to keep your products in good working order and ensure that you are doing everything possible to minimize potential damage.  These are some of the most common causes of damage to instrumentation.

1. Water and Humidity – Nothing can be more damaging to many mechanical devices than water. Not only can water interfere with the correct operation of electrical systems, but it can also lead to rust and corrosion of casings and metallic components.
2. Corrosive Substances – Many industries use products that can corrode their systems. The usual cause of mechanical damage is improper or inadequate cleaning.  Ensure that all equipment is regularly cleaned and sterilized to ensure long-lasting and accurate functioning.
3. Temperature Changes – Extreme changes from hot to cold can put a lot of strain on many types of measuring equipment. Ensure that the equipment you use has been tested in the conditions in which it will be used.  Not every device can function in arctic or tropical conditions.
4. Poor Manufacturing – Some damage is inevitable due to buying the wrong equipment or cheaply made equipment. Some companies may offer instrumentation at a significantly reduced price, but that may be because they are made of subpar materials.  Instrumentation must often function in a variety of harsh environments, which is why so much must go into their construction.  Be very wary of companies that offer cheaply-made products because they may end up costing your company big bucks in the long run.