1

Mechanical
Part
Mechanical
Fault
Signatures Spectrum
Journal
bearings
(<RS)
Oil whip
instability
Operated at 2X
the rotor critical
frequency
(resonance)

Oil whirl
instability
42-48% of
running speed

Clearance
problems


Imbalance
(RS)
Static
imbalance


Couple
imbalance
180 out of phase
at opposite ends

Overhung
rotor
Found in
machines with
fans, blowers and
pumps

2

Eccentric
rotor (RS)
Highest vibration
will be in
direction of belt

Misalignment
(14 RS)
Angular
misalignment
High axial
vibration.

Parallel
misalignment
2X often larger
than 1X

3

Bent shaft 1X dominant if
bend is near shaft
centre.
2X dominant if
bend is near shaft
ends

Misaligned
bearing
Similar to angular
misalignment

Mechanical
looseness
A Structural
looseness of
machine feet

B Loose
pillowblock bolts,
cracked frame
structure or
bearing block

C Later stages of
bearing wear give
large family of
harmonics.
A minor
imbalance or
misalignment will
cause high
amplitudes if
excessive bearing
clearance present

4

Rotor rub Similar to
mechanical
looseness.
Subharmonic
frequencies may
be present

Resonance Seen in spectra as
a peak that does
not change when
the machine speed
is changed.

Belt problems Worn, loose,
or
mismatched
belts
Belt frequencies
below the RPM of
the driver or
driven

Belt/pulley
misalignment
High axial
vibrations at 1X.
Often highest
amplitude on
motor will be at
fan RPM

Eccentric
pulleys

Belt
resonance
Belt natural
frequency can be
changed with belt
tension

5

Hydraulic
and
aerodynamic
forces
If gap between
casing and vanes
is not equal, blade
pass frequency
may have high
amplitude.
Eccentric rotor
can cause
amplitude as BPF

Flow
turbulence


Cavitation

Gears Normal
spectrum


Tooth loaded

6

Tooth wear

Gear
eccentricity
and backlash


Gear
misalignment


Cracked/
broken tooth


Hunting tooth