Corrective maintenance refers to repairs made to a system or equipment after a failure has occurred. It is a reactive approach to maintenance, focusing on restoring a system to its operational state after a breakdown.
Here are some examples of corrective maintenance:
Examples of Corrective Maintenance:
- Replacing a broken motor in a machine: After a motor fails, it needs to be replaced to restore the machine's functionality.
- Fixing a leaking pipe: When a pipe leaks, it needs to be repaired to prevent further damage and water waste.
- Rebooting a computer system: If a computer system crashes, rebooting it may resolve the issue and restore functionality.
- Repairing a damaged roof: After a storm, a damaged roof needs to be repaired to prevent further damage and water infiltration.
- Replacing a faulty circuit board: If a circuit board fails, it needs to be replaced to restore the functionality of the electronic device.
- Fixing a software bug: When a software bug causes a program to malfunction, a software patch or update may be required to correct the issue.
Benefits of Corrective Maintenance:
- Restores system functionality: Corrective maintenance brings a system back to its working state after a failure.
- Prevents further damage: Repairing a failure can prevent further damage to the system or equipment.
- Ensures safety: Fixing safety hazards identified during a failure can improve overall safety.
Drawbacks of Corrective Maintenance:
- Unplanned downtime: Corrective maintenance often results in unplanned downtime, which can disrupt operations and lead to production losses.
- Higher costs: Repairing a failure can be more expensive than performing preventative maintenance.
- Increased risk of accidents: A failed system can pose safety risks to personnel.
While corrective maintenance is necessary to address failures, it is generally considered less desirable than preventative maintenance, which aims to prevent failures from occurring in the first place.
