If the magnetic oil drain plug detects metal particles, what happens?

• A. The chip light will illuminate
• B. No chip light will illuminate
• C. The engine will shut down
• D. The pilot must stop the flight

Answer: (B)

When a magnetic oil drain plug detects metal particles, it serves as an important indicator of potential engine wear or failure. The primary purpose of this sensor is to catch any ferrous material from the oil, which can signify that components within the engine are degrading or breaking down.

In situations where metal particles are detected, the important response is not the immediate illumination of any warning light but rather a proactive maintenance assessment. Unlike other systems that may trigger visual alerts instantly, the magnetic oil drain plug is designed to provide data for later analysis rather than activate a chip light in the cockpit. This approach allows the pilot and maintenance crew to monitor the engine's condition without unnecessary alarms that might be misplaced in immediate operational urgency.

Understanding this function of the magnetic oil drain plug helps in distinguishing between systems that provide instant feedback versus those serving more as diagnostic tools. Hence, the illumination of a chip light does not occur in response to the detection of particles, which reflects the proper operational understanding of this equipment.