When route testing rotating machinery in a condition monitoring program, how many averages are normally taken?

In a condition monitoring program, particularly when route testing rotating machinery, it is common practice to take between 1 and 10 averages. This number reflects an industry standard that balances the need for reliable data with the time constraints of testing.

Taking a smaller number of averages allows for rapid assessment while still gathering sufficient information to identify trends or anomalies in the machinery's condition. The typical range of 1 to 10 ensures that data collection is efficient, enabling frequent monitoring without overburdening resources or time that could delay operational processes.

In contrast, other options suggest either too few averages, which might not provide enough data for a reliable assessment, or too many, which could lead to excessive data collection that may not yield significantly better insights into the machine's condition. Regular monitoring typically focuses on actionable insights rather than exhaustive data gathering, making the range of 1 to 10 averages a pragmatic choice in most condition monitoring programs.