Oilers/Plant Tenders (HHC) Civil Service Practice Exam

Do strainers in a lubricating oil system typically remove water and foreign particles from circulating oil?

1. True

2. False

The correct answer is: False

Strainers in a lubricating oil system are primarily designed to remove foreign particles from the circulating oil, but they do not effectively remove water. The function of strainers is to capture larger contaminants such as dirt, metal particles, and other debris that could cause wear or damage to the machinery. Water, on the other hand, does not get trapped in strainers due to its low density and varying properties when mixed with oil. Instead, water typically separates from oil, rising to the top or settling at the bottom of the tank, depending on its concentration and the conditions of the system. Therefore, while strainers play an essential role in maintaining oil cleanliness by filtering out particulate matter, they are not capable of removing water from the lubricating oil system, making the statement about their function inaccurate.