Abstract: The invention relates to a process and a monitoring device for monitoring an equipment unit, carried out by a processing device in the monitoring device. The process comprises reading at least one sensor signal and determining, on the basis of the at least one sensor signal, whether the equipment unit has been subjected to an unacceptable stress. If the equipment device has been subjected to an unacceptable stress, a start-up lock for the equipment unit is enabled, and lock status information is stored. The step of determining whether the equipment unit has been subjected to an unacceptable stress may comprise criteria that are dependent upon whether the monitoring device is operating in a low-power mode or a normal power mode. When a signal is received that indicates that the equipment unit is to be started up, it is determined whether the start-up lock has been enabled. If it has been enabled, a warning is activated.