Taking care of your machinery is important. However, there are times when it can become difficult to locate faults as there are no visible issues. In order to avoid severe damage before it’s too late, it is worthwhile to recognise and consider the signs that may indicate that your machinery is not as it should be.
For the above-mentioned reason, it is vital for engineers and mechanics to pinpoint engine problems quickly and efficiently in order to rectify them. Under such circumstances, if the technicians can listen to any unusual vibration or grinding within the machinery, it is easier to find the glitch and repair them.
Detecting problems using a stethoscope
Similar to a medical stethoscope, which is used to listen to noises within a patient’s body, a mechanic’s stethoscope will help you spot the damage by allowing you to listen and track noises within an engine, pipe and machinery. This is important because, in addition to enhancing safety and performance, stethoscopes help extend the life and quality of machinery.
It can be quite difficult for the human ear to hear the interior noises of machines and motors. Mechanics’ stethoscopes have sensitive ear-pieces that can pick up even the slightest of vibrations. Mechanical stethoscopes are useful for testing various engine parts, including transmissions, transfer cases, gear boxes, valve trains, alternators, rear axles, and the engine itself. These tools may be used to detect problems within the dashboard as well.
By using a stethoscope, you can easily find worn gears or leaky water pumps that otherwise may be difficult to identify, making troubleshooting a machine much easier. A mechanic’s stethoscope can also help track down leaks that are difficult to find. For instance, a mechanic can deduce the cause of a problem by simply listening to the sound of steam, gas, water or oil flowing. This allows the mechanic to initiate repairs as soon as possible.
Mechanic’s stethoscopes are small tools that are easy to carry around and take up only very little space and can be disassembled for easy storage. Some stethoscopes can operate in both extreme temperatures, i.e., from -10 degrees to 45 degrees. The handles come in shock-proof material for safety.
Different types of stethoscopes
The two key stethoscopes found in the market are electronic and acoustic.
Electronic stethoscope: As the name suggests, electronic stethoscopes can electronically amplify the sound within a machine, making it valuable and beneficial to engineers in the technical field. Perfect for isolating sounds in a noisy environment or in confined spaces where is it difficult to comprehend a noise, electronic stethoscopes come with sensitive ear-pieces or headphones that will pick up the slightest of vibration so that you can listen to the sound perfectly.
With an electronic stethoscope, low sound levels can be amplified and transmitted out to a device that gives a visual as well as audible output. For determining the cause of the noise, electronic stethoscopes use probes that come equipped with volume controls for adjusting the level of sound.
Acoustic stethoscope: An acoustic stethoscope is also a frequently used device that consists of air-filled hollow tubes, ear-pieces and a disk-shaped resonator. The tubes transmit sound from the resonator to the ear-piece.
Stethoscopes are standard problem-solving devices that have a wide-ranging role in keeping your machinery trouble-free and safe. Browse here to find an extensive choice of stethoscopes that can be used to check your engines, pipes as well as expensive machinery.
