Service Interval Units
This page explains Service Interval Units - the lookup list of measurement units used by service schedules - and describes the difference between time-based and consumption-based units.
What Are Service Interval Units?
Every Service Plan specifies a frequency using a Service Interval Unit. Each unit record has a Basis of either Time or Consumption, which determines whether the service schedule is based on calendar time or on actual asset usage (tracked by a clock reading).
Unit Types
Time-Based Units
Units with a Basis of Time schedule services after a fixed amount of calendar time has elapsed. No usage tracking is required - the system calculates due dates based on the start date and interval. The default units shipped with this Basis are:
| Unit | Example Schedule |
|---|---|
| Hours | Service air conditioning every 2,000 hours of operation |
| Days | Inspect emergency lighting every 30 days |
| Weeks | Check fire alarm panels every 4 weeks |
| Months | PAT test portable appliances every 12 months |
| Years | Full building inspection every 5 years |
| Each Summer Shutdown / Each Winter Shutdown | Services tied to a seasonal plant shutdown rather than a fixed calendar interval |
Consumption-Based Units
Units with a Basis of Consumption schedule services after the asset's usage (tracked by a clock) reaches a threshold. These depend on actual or estimated usage recorded against the asset - see Asset Clock Readings. The default units shipped with this Basis are:
| Unit | Example Schedule |
|---|---|
| Miles | Vehicle minor service every 10,000 miles |
| Kilometers | Vehicle service every 15,000 km |
| Running Hours | Generator service every 500 running hours |
| Items Produced | Service a production machine every 50,000 units produced |
| Litres / Gallons | Service a fuel-driven asset every 1,000 litres consumed |
Tip: You can combine both types on a single Service Plan by setting a primary interval and an alternative. For example, "every 10,000 miles or every 12 months, whichever comes first". See Creating a Service Plan for details.
Managing Service Interval Units
Service Interval Units is reached from Maintenance > Maintenance Setup > Service Interval Units. It opens as a "Lookup Service Interval Units" dialog: a list of the defined units on the left, and a View Record panel on the right showing the selected unit's ID, Units Name, and Basis.
Select a unit in the list to view its details. Use Edit to change its Units Name or Basis, New to add a custom unit for specialist equipment (for example a fuel type or a duty-cycle count that isn't in the default list), or Delete to remove one that is no longer needed. Save commits changes made in Edit mode, and OK closes the dialog and returns the selected unit to the calling screen (for example when picking a unit while setting up a Service Plan).
Warning: Renaming or deleting a unit that is in use by existing Service Plans may cause those plans to behave unexpectedly. Check for dependent plans before making changes.
Related Articles
- Planned Maintenance Introduction - Introduction to the planned maintenance module
- Maintenance Setup - Configuring maintenance plans and intervals
- Creating a Service Plan - How to create a service plan
- Asset Clock Readings - Managing clock-based readings for assets