Basics of

Vibration Isolation for

HVAC Equipment & Systems
Mark E. Schaffer, P.E.
Schaffer Acoustics Inc.
Pacific Palisades, CA
mark@schaffer-acoustics.com

Introduction
Why isolate vibration?
Vibration sources & frequencies
How to select isolators
Isolator types
Isolation system effects

Source-Path-Receiver
Vibration Sources
Fans, pumps & compressors
Transmission Paths
Slabs, floors, walls, etc.
Receivers
Bldg. occupants, sensitive instrumentation

Airborne & Structure-borne

Sound Transmission
SOUND TRANSMISS

Vibration Mechanisms
Imbalances in rotating equipment
Flow obstructions near blade tips
Oscillating motor windings
Airflow stall in fans

Vibration Frequencies
in Rotating Equipment
Expressed in cps or Hertz (Hz)
Equipment Shaft Rotation Frequency
SRF = RPM / 60
Blade Passage Frequency (BPF)
BPF = # of blades x RPM / 60
Harmonics & intermodulations

Vibration Frequencies
in Motors
Motor Rotation Frequency
MRF = RPM / 60
Motor Windings Frequency
MWF = 2 x 60 hertz = 120 Hz
Harmonics & intermodulations

Frequency Ranges of Interest

Equipment Shaft Rotation
400 to 3600 RPM, 6.7 to 60 Hz
Blade Passage
1600 to 21,600 BPM, 26.7 to 360 Hz
Motor Rotation:
870 to 3600 RPM, 14.6 to 60 Hz
Motor windings - 120 Hz
Harmonics & intermodulations

Pump Impeller & Cutwater

3500 RPM Pump

with 6 impeller blades
Impeller BPF = 6 x 3500 / 60 = 350 Hz
Motor RPM = 3500 RPM / 60 = 58.3 Hz
Line frequency x 2 = 120 Hz
Harmonics and intermodulations

Belt-driven 9-bladed fan,

1200 RPM,1770 RPM motor
Fan BPF = 9 x 1200 / 60 = 180 Hz
Fan Shaft Rotation = 1200 RPM / 60 = 20 Hz
Motor RPM = 1770 RPM / 60 = 29.5 Hz
Line frequency x 2 = 120 Hz
Harmonics and intermodulations

Attenuation vs.
Isolator Efficiency
0
-5

Transmissibility
dB
Transmissibility
inindB

-10
-15
-20
-25
-30
-35
-40
-45
-50
0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Isolator Efficiency

70%

80%

90%

100%

Transmissibility vs. Frequency

100 +40 dB
F = Forcing Frequency
F n = Natural Frequeny of isolated Equipment

Transmissibility
Ratio
Transmissibility
Ratio

10 +20 dB

0.1 -20 dB

0.01 -40 dB

0.001 -60 dB
0.1

10
F/Fn

100

Isolator Selection re % Efficiency

Selection Guide
for Vibration Isolation

Vibration Isolation Products

Neoprene or rubber
Steel or iron
Compressed fiberglass

Neoprene Pads

Fiberglass & Neoprene Mounts

Open Spring Mount, Inertia Base

& Seismic Restraint

Restrained Spring Mounts

Avoid this Restrained Spring Mount

Pneumatic Isolator (Airbag)

Pneumatic Isolator
& Leveling Valve

System Factors that Affect

Vibration Isolation
Stiffness of supporting structures
Piping, conduit & ductwork
Isolation at equipment connections
Isolation at building support points

Supporting Structure Stiffness

Kstructure > 10 * Kisolators

Flexible Pipe (Pump) Connectors

Pipe Hangers

Isolated Cooling Tower

Isolated Makeup Water Pipe

Refrigerant Piping

Isolated Rooftop Piping

Attachment of Suspended Piping

Flexible Conduit

Isolated Conduit Clamp

Flexible Duct
Connector
&
Thrust Restraint

Pipe Penetration

Effects of VFDs
Reduced
RPM

Reduced Vibration Strength

Reduced Vibration Frequency

Floor FN
as low as 4 Hz

Select isolators per

lowest practical equipment shaft RPM

Summary
Select equipment isolators per ASHRAE
Applications Handbook (Chapter 47 in
2003
Handbook)
Structure stiffness >10X isolator stiffness
Isolate piping, conduit & ductwork
connections to equipment
Isolate piping & conduit connections at
building attachment points & penetrations
Consider effects of VFD control

For More Information