What is the purpose of a chip detector?

• A. Magnetic chip detectors detect ferrous (magnetic) particles present in the oil.
• B. They measure oil temperature.
• C. They measure oil pressure.
• D. They filter out contaminants.

Answer: (A)

Chip detectors are used to monitor for metal wear in the engine’s oil system. A magnetic sensor sits in the oil path and attracts ferrous (magnetic) particles that come from components such as bearings, gears, or shafts. If enough metal debris is present, the detector triggers a warning, alerting you to abnormal wear so maintenance can inspect and prevent a potential failure. They don’t measure oil temperature or oil pressure, and they don’t filter out contaminants; they specifically detect magnetic particles in the oil. Non-ferrous debris may not be detected by this type of detector.