Application Note

A Member of MISTRAS Holdings Group

103
Machinery Fault Analysis Guide

T
k) N
-p ME
pk E
ils AC
(m PL
00

IS
0

D
10

10
10 10

0
1.
(140)

10
0
.
DANGER - SHUTDOWN
(130)

1
DANGER - FAILURE NEAR

1
0.
(120)

10
VELOCITY

.0
(in-pk/sec)
(vdB) POSSIBLE PROBLEM

(110)

AC
C g-
EL rm
MINOR ROUGHNESS

ER s
.1

AT
IO
N
01
0.
(100) NORMAL OPERATION

1.
0
0.
5
(90)
0.
4
0.
3

.01
0.
2

FREQUENCY (RPM)
0.
1

100 1000 10000 100000

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Locate machine rotational speed on bottom frequency scale
2. Record the velocity (in-pk/sec or vdB) OR displacement (mils pk-pk)
OR acceleration (g-rms) reading and if applicable multiply the
reading by the Service Factors listed to the right. Locate the
adjusted reading on the appropriate scale on the chart above.
3. The intersection of 1. and 2. determines machine condition
4. See guide on reverse side for more troubleshooting information
MACHINERY TYPE SERVICE FACTOR
Single Stage Centrifugal Pump, Electric Motors, Fans ................................1.0
Non-critical Chemical Processing Equipment ............................................ 1.0
Turbine, Turbine Generator, Centrifugal Compressor ............................... 1.6
Centrifuge, Shaft suspended ..................................................................... 0.5
Centrifuge, Link suspended ....................................................................... 0.3
Miscellaneous Equipment with Unknown Characteristics ......................... 2.0

(Ref: "Monitor Acceleration Velocity or Displacement"; A.B. Kaufman; Instruments and Control Systems, October 1975)

195 Clarksville Road, Princeton Junction, NJ 08550 Phone: 609-716-4130 Fax: 609-716-0706
Email: sales@vibrametrics.com Internet: www.vibrametrics.com
Due to continuing improvement, Vibra-Metrics reserves the right to amend specifications without notice.
Copyright 2003 MISTRAS Holdings Group. All Rights Reserved. Rev. 1/04
 Application Note
A Member of MISTRAS Holdings Group
103
Machinery Fault Analysis Guide

INDICATED LEVEL
TYPE OF
FREQUENCY OF PLANE OF OTHER RELATED POSSIBLE FOR POSSIBLE
MACHINE NOTES
DISTURBANCE VIBRATION SYMPTOMS CAUSES TROUBLE (in-
OR DEVICE
pk/sec)

Common problem:
Rotating motors Steady or increase .2 - .5
check dynamic balance
Generators 1X base RPM Radial with rotational speed Rotor unbalance 106 115 vdB
of main motion

Stops when power to Armature Armature requires .1 - .5

Electric Motor 7200 RPM Radial motor cut lamination chatter 100 115 vdB
repair
Unsteady vibration Check alignment and
Electric Motor Erratic Axial reading Motor misalignment leveling Unsteady

Interaction due to
Radial
Level may vary and non-synchronous .
Depends on
Rotating Two exhibit beat operation of two Isolate or dampen 05 - .2
mounting
Or more units Very low characteristics units very close in sources 98 105 vdB
form
rotational frequency

Usually Check alignment

Couplings, 2X base rpm axial Misaligned tolerances. If shaft is
.2 - .5
Shafts sometimes 1X or Sometimes couplings or shaft bent, vibration will be at
106 115 vdB
and Bearings 3X radial bearings base speed

Random in nature:
energy distributed
over wide frequency
range. May excite Defective bearings, .05 - .2
Sleeve Bearings 50-100X RPM Radial Replace
critical shaft excessive friction 98 105 vdB
resonance 1X or 2X
RPM; may get hot

May be due to
Disappears when Oil whirl in excessive clearance or .05 - .2
Sleeve Bearings base RPM Radial speed drops lubricated bearings insufficient bearing 98 105 vdB
loads

Friction whip;
excessive friction
Armature Does not vary with rubbing or chatter Replace bearing or .1 - .5
Radial
Sleeve Bearings resonance speed in bearing excites improve lubrication 100 115 vdB
armature or support

Sometimes high Readings may be Worn balls. Rough .1 - .5

multiple of base unsteady. Spikes races. Poor Check, lubricate or 100 115 vdB
Ball Bearings Radial replace bearings
RPM indicate pitted balls. lubrication. erratic

1X RPM or number Chipped gear.

Radial or May excite structure Inspect gear, replace or .1 - .5
of teeth X RPM or Eccentric gear pitch
Gears torsional resonance. correct eccentricity 109 115 vdB
gear ratio circle.

Belts misaligned, Check alignment,

Axial and Readings may be .1 - .5
mismatched or in dampen vibration or
Belts 1 X base RPM radial unsteady. 98 110 vdB
resonance. replace belts

1 X base RPM or Relocate, change blade

Fans and Axial or Frequency will vary May be design or .1 - .5
blade passing distance, clean blades,
Impellers radial with speed. proximity problem 98 110 vdB
frequency check for imbalance

195 Clarksville Road, Princeton Junction, NJ 08550 Phone: 609-716-4130 Fax: 609-716-0706
Email: sales@vibrametrics.com Internet: www.vibrametrics.com
Due to continuing improvement, Vibra-Metrics reserves the right to amend specifications without notice.
Copyright 2003 MISTRAS Holdings Group. All Rights Reserved. Rev. 1/04