A method and apparatus for maintaining the rate of flow of hydraulic or lubricating fluid through a particle contamination sensor or monitor at an acceptable level is disclosed. The rate of flow may be a specific value or lie within a desired range of values. Regardless, maintaining the rate of flow at an acceptable level improves the accuracy of information produced by the contamination sensor or monitor. A display for displaying the particle information created by a particle contamination sensor or monitor in a manner more easily understood by maintenance personnel and a method of creating such a display is also disclosed.