Basic Vibration Data Collection Process:

Good vibration data is valuable asset to any vibration analyst.

A bad data can mean lot of embarrassment and frustration to any analyst. Without a proper data no
analyst can come to a proper conclusion or recommendation.

Few basic and important steps need to be followed while collecting vibration data at site.

1. Choose proper sensor mounting location

The sensor needs to be placed as close to the bearing as possible. The location needs to be clean and
sensor needs to be mounted firmly.

If the sensor is loose or rocking on the surface, unwanted disturbances will be picked up in the signal
thereby distorting it.

2. Marking of mounting location

Trending of vibration data is valuable in assessing the health of a machine. In doing so, we need to try to
compare same parameters in same operating condition as closely as possible.

The mounting location of sensor needs to be same at every survey. The best way to ensure this is to
mark the mounting location either with tape or paint.

3. Mounting & Dismounting of sensor

While mounting sensor on the location, care needs to be taken to place it in a smooth fashion.

Most of the sensors come with magnet attachment to be connected in front of the sensor.

We need to understand that the magnets are a bit powerful and are designed to firmly fit on the
surface.

If we directly try to attach the sensor parallel to the surface, the sensor will get attracted instantly with
quite a force which can be damaging in the long run to the machine surface as well as the sensor itself.

So, what is the best way to fix the sensor on mounting surface?

A sensor with dual rail magnet attachment needs to be placed with both its rails perpendicular to the
surface and rolled slowly from bottom to top towards the surface until it touches it. While removing the
sensor, same rolling action needs to be performed in vice versa manner.

This action has its advantages.

First, the effort in mounting and dismounting the sensor will be minimal. Also, no damage will occur to
either the sensor as well as the machine surface.

Secondly, the sensor will sit on the surface with minimal force and sensor will be much more stable. This
will reduce the settling time for the sensor and data will be captured much quickly with less distortion.
4. Choose the correct sensitivity range.

A higher sensitivity range sensor will take much time to collect vibration data since it picks up even finer
vibration signals.

For general purpose, a 100mv/g accelerometer is suitable for most routine data collection.

For slow sped machines, below 60 rpm, choose an accelerometer with higher sensitivity range of 500
mv/g which will capture fine vibration signals.

5. Temperature consideration

Usually, vibration sensors have a good operating range as far as temperature is concerned. But still if the
sensor gets hot then you need to let it cool down before starting next measurement.

It is a good safety practice since nobody wants to work with hot objects around and secondly, there can
be chance of moisture ingression inside the sensor unless it is hermetically sealed. But why take
chances?

6. Sudden bump or impact while collecting measurement

Sometimes we happen to just bump the sensor while collecting data or the wire gets shaken up or any
other disturbance.

The best thing to do at that point is to retake the data. Is rightly said that Time is Money but from an
analyst point of view, a delayed good data is thousand times better than a quick bad data.