Best Practice

SABP-G-006 22 August 2010

Induction Motors Dynamic Analysis Factory Acceptance Test
Document Responsibility: Consulting Services Dept.

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards

Table of Contents

1 Introduction.................................................... 2
2 References.................................................... 2
3 General.......................................................... 3
4 Definitions...................................................... 3
5 Vibration Detectors........................................ 4
6 Tests Procedure............................................ 4
7 FAT Acceptance Criteria............................... 6
Acknowledgement:............................................... 8

Previous Issue: 29 December 2004 Next Planned Update: TBD

Revised paragraphs are indicated in the right margin Page 1 of 8
Primary contacts: Hussain, Khaleel Ma'Atug or Qahtani, Hadi Abdullah on 966-3-8760101

Copyright©Saudi Aramco 2010. All rights reserved.

Document Responsibility: Consulting Services Dept. SABP-G-006
Issue Date: 22 August 2010
Next Planned Update: TBD Induction Motors Dynamic Analysis Factory Acceptance Test

1 Introduction

1.1 Purpose

The purpose of this Best Practice is to establish guidelines in reviewing the

dynamic analysis of induction motors during Factory Acceptance Test (FAT).

1.2 Scope

This Best Practice gives general guidelines for reviewing vibration

instrumentation requirements, test procedure and acceptance limits during the
Factory Acceptance Test and does not include performance test criteria.

1.3 Disclaimer

This Best Practice is being provided for the general guidance and benefit of
Saudi Aramco engineers attending Induction Motor Factory Acceptance Test
(FAT). The use of this Best Practice during factory acceptance test, however,
does not relieve the manufacturer from his responsibility or duty to confirm or to
verify the accuracy of any information presented or from his contractual liability
to perform an accurate FAT that conforms to Mandatory Saudi Aramco
Engineering Requirements. The use of the information or material contained
herein will not guarantee that the resulting product satisfies the applicable
requirements of Saudi Aramco Standards. Saudi Aramco assumes no
responsibility or liability whatsoever for any reliance on the information
presented herein or for FAT performed by manufacturer in accordance with this
Best Practice document. Moreover, this Best Practice is intended only to
provide guidelines for Saudi Aramco engineers attending the Factory
Acceptance Test and shall not be considered as a replacement for the Mandatory
Saudi Aramco Engineering Requirements.

1.4 Conflicts with Mandatory Standards

In the event of a conflict between this Best Practice and other Mandatory Saudi
Aramco Engineering Requirement, the Mandatory Saudi Aramco Engineering
Requirement shall govern.

2 References

This Best Practice is based on the below referenced standards:

2.1 Saudi Aramco References

Saudi Aramco Materials System Specifications

17-SAMSS-502 Induction Motors (20 December 2009)

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Document Responsibility: Consulting Services Dept. SABP-G-006
Issue Date: 22 August 2010
Next Planned Update: TBD Induction Motors Dynamic Analysis Factory Acceptance Test

34-SAMSS-625 Machinery Protection Systems (21 June 2009)

2.2 Industry Codes and Standards

American Petroleum Institute (API)

API STD 541 Form-Wound Squirrel Cage Induction Motors
500 Horsepower and Larger, 4th Edition
API STD 670 Machinery Protection Systems, 4th Edition

National Electrical Manufacturers Association

ANSI/NEMA MG 1 Motors and Generators

3 General

 This best practice gives general guidelines for the vibration instrumentation
requirements, test procedure and acceptable limits during induction motor factory
acceptance test. If rotordynamic analysis is required, according to 17-SAMSS-502 /
API STD 541, then it should be reviewed by the attendee prior to the test.

 At least 6 weeks before the first scheduled test, the vendor shall submit to the
purchaser, for review and comment, detailed procedures for all tests, including
acceptance criteria for all monitored parameters (API STD 541/ P 4.3.1.5).

 The vendor shall notify the purchaser not less than 5 working days before the date
the equipment will be ready for testing (API STD 541/ P 4.3.1.2). However, it is
suggested that the vendor send notification six weeks prior to any witness test.

4 Definitions

Factory Acceptance Test (FAT): It is a test conducted at a factory to ensure that the
motor meets its required performance and mechanical integrity.

Acceptance Level: This is the vibration level (displacement, velocity, or acceleration)

at which a machine can run indefinitely without inducing vibration related maintenance.

Cold Start: This is a motor start that occurs when the rotor and stator are initially at
ambient temperature (API STD 541/ P 1.5.5).

Hot Start: This is any restart of the motor that occurs when the motor is at a
temperature above ambient temperature (API STD 541/ P 1.5.6).

Lateral Critical Speeds: This is a shaft rotational speed at which the rotor-bearing-
support system is in a state of resonance (API STD 541/ P 1.5.7).

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Document Responsibility: Consulting Services Dept. SABP-G-006
Issue Date: 22 August 2010
Next Planned Update: TBD Induction Motors Dynamic Analysis Factory Acceptance Test

5 Vibration Detectors

Vibration detection equipment shall be provided as per the below Table.

Table 1 – Required Vibration Instrumentation for Induction Motors

Seismic Measurement
Relative Measurement
HP Rating Reading at the monitor
Radial Thrust Key  Velocity Acceleration
> 1000 HP
Horizontal X&Y Yes
(Hydrodynamic Radial Brg.)

Two on the top

Vertical Motor
radial Brg.
Motor with Hydrodynamic
X&Y Dual Yes
Radial & Thrust Brgs.

Vibration detectors shall be provided, installed and calibrated in accordance with

34-SAMSS-625.

6 Tests Procedure

6.1 During the shop running test of the assembled motor, vibration measurements of
the motor and foundation shall be made with the motor properly shimmed (no
soft feet) and securely fastened to a massive foundation or test floor stand.
Elastic mounts are not permitted (API STD 541/P 4.3.1.15).

6.2 The combined total electrical and mechanical runout is presented in Table 2
(for more details refer to API STD 541 & 17-SAMSS-502):

Table 2 – Allowable Total Runout

Probes Applicable
RPM Allowable Total Runout (TR)
Location Standard

17-SAMSS-502  TR ≤ 13 µm pk-pk (0.5 mils pk-pk)

Radial All
(Sec. 2.4.5.1.7a)

whichever is greater
API STD 541
 TR ≤ 0.30 x maximum allowed pk-pk
Axial All
(Sec. 2.4.5.1.7) unfiltered vibration amplitude
 TR ≤ 13 µm pk-pk (0.5 mils pk-pk)

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Document Responsibility: Consulting Services Dept. SABP-G-006
Issue Date: 22 August 2010
Next Planned Update: TBD Induction Motors Dynamic Analysis Factory Acceptance Test

Note: If the combined radial runout exceeds the above values, three documented attempts
shall be made to reduce the runout. Afterwards, 13 micrometers (0.5 mils) will
constitute an acceptable combined runout level. Records of runout tests before and
after attempts to correct excessive runout shall be available for inspection on request
(17-SAMSS-502/ P 2.4.5.1.7a).

6.3 Motors that are provided with noncontact probes or provisions for noncontact
probes shall be tested to verify that the shaft-sensing areas meet the total
electrical and mechanical runout requirements (API STD 541/P 3.8.1).

6.4 Vibration measurements shall be taken in the horizontal, vertical radial

directions and the axial direction on the bearing housings of antifriction-bearing
and hydrodynamic-bearing motors. All shaft radial vibration measurements
shall be taken using noncontacting eddy-current probes when the motor is
equipped with them or if provisions for noncontacting probes are specified.
Where shaft noncontacting probes or provisions for probes are not specified and
the shaft is inaccessible for vibration measurement, only bearing housing
vibration measurements shall be taken. Shaft and bearing housing vibration data
shall be recorded for the unfiltered, 1/2X running speed, 1x running speed (and
phase angle), 2X running speed and the 1x and 2X line frequency amplitudes
(API STD 541/P 4.3.3.2).

6.5 Unfiltered and filtered radial and axial vibration, electrical input, and
temperature data shall be recorded at 30 minute intervals during all mechanical
running tests (API STD 541/P 4.3.3.3).

6.6 For two-pole motors, after the bearing temperatures have stabilized filtered and
unfiltered vibration readings at each position shall be recorded continuously for
a period of 15 minutes. This data shall be continuously plotted or tabulated at
1-minute increments over the 15-minute period. If the vibration modulates, the
high and low values of vibration and the frequency of the modulation shall be
recorded (API STD 541/P 4.3.3.4).

6.7 All purchased vibration probes, transducers, oscillator-demodulators, and

accelerometers shall be in use during the test. If vibration probes are not
furnished by the equipment vendor or if the purchased probes are not compatible
with shop readout facilities, then shop probes and readouts that meet the
accuracy requirements of API STD 670 shall be used (API STD 541/P 4.3.3.6).

6.8 Shop test facilities shall include instrumentation with the capability of
continuously monitoring and plotting revolutions per minute, peak-to-peak
displacement, and phase angle. (API STD 541/P 4.3.3.7).

6.9 The vibration characteristics determined by the use of the instrumentation

specified in 6.8 and 6.9 shall serve as a basis for acceptance or rejection of the
machine (API STD 541/P 4.3.3.8).

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Document Responsibility: Consulting Services Dept. SABP-G-006
Issue Date: 22 August 2010
Next Planned Update: TBD Induction Motors Dynamic Analysis Factory Acceptance Test

6.10 When specified, a data acquisition system shall be used to record the vibration
data during testing. The recorded data shall be submitted to the purchaser
together with the final test report (API STD 541/P 4.3.3.14).

6.11 Control of the sound pressure level to meet the specified requirements shall be
the sole responsibility of the Vendor. The weighted maximum sound pressure
level of the motor shall not exceed 85 dBA at any location at a reference
distance of 1 meter determined in accordance with ANSI/NEMA MG 1, Part 9
with the motor operating at full voltage, rated frequency, and no load
(17-SAMSS-502 /P 2.1.3)

7 Fat Acceptance Criteria

7.1 During the shop test of the motor, operating at its rated voltage and rated speed
or at any other voltage and speed within the specified operating speed range, the
shaft displacement of vibration shall not exceed the values shown in Figures 1.
The shaft readings in Figure 1 include a maximum allowance for electrical and
mechanical runout. (API STD 541/P 4.3.3.9)

7.2 The maximum bearing housing velocity, in any direction, shall not exceed 3
mm/s (0.12 in/sec) RMS (17-SAMSS-502/ 2.4.6.4.1).

7.3 If a temperature test is specified, the vibration shall be within the filtered and
unfiltered limits shown in Figure 1 throughout the temperature range from the test
ambient temperature to the total design temperature (API STD 541/P 4.3.3.9).

7.4 While the equipment is operating at maximum continuous speed and any
operating temperature, sweeps shall be made for vibration amplitudes at
frequencies other than running speed. These sweeps shall cover a frequency
range from 25% of the running speed frequency to three times the line
frequency. See Figure 1 for filtered vibration limits (API STD 541/P 4.3.3.12)

7.5 Motors purchased with the driven equipment, as a package from one supplier,
shall additionally meet the following requirements, when coupled to the driven
equipment and operated at rated voltage and speed. The maximum shaft relative
motion shall not exceed:

i. The displacement limit of shaft vibration is summarized into four points

(API STD 541/P 4.3.3.9):

 The unfiltered vibration limits for machines up to 5000 rpm rated speed
shall not exceed 1.5 mils p-p displacement. For machines with rated
speeds in excess of 5000 rpm, the unfiltered vibration limit shall not
exceed sqrt (12000/N) where N is the maximum rated continuous speed.

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Document Responsibility: Consulting Services Dept. SABP-G-006
Issue Date: 22 August 2010
Next Planned Update: TBD Induction Motors Dynamic Analysis Factory Acceptance Test

 Vibration displacement at any filtered frequency below running-speed

frequency shall not exceed 0.1 mil or 20% of the measured unfiltered
vibration displacement, whichever is greater.

 Vibration displacement at any filtered frequency above running-speed

frequency shall not exceed 0.5 mil peak-to-peak.

 Vibration displacement filtered at running speed frequency (runout

compensated) shall not exceed 80% of the unfiltered limit.

ii. The maximum bearing housing velocity, in any direction, shall not exceed
3 mm/s (0.12 in/sec) RMS (17-SAMSS-502/ 2.4.6.4.1).

Figure 1 (API STD 541) – Shaft Vibration Limits (Relative to Bearing Housing
using Noncontact Vibration Probes) for All Hydrodynamic Sleeve Bearing Motors;
with the Motor Securely Fastened to a Massive Foundation

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Document Responsibility: Consulting Services Dept. SABP-G-006
Issue Date: 22 August 2010
Next Planned Update: TBD Induction Motors Dynamic Analysis Factory Acceptance Test

Acknowledgement:

CSD acknowledge the following for their support and active participation in producing this best
practice:

1. K. M. Al Hussain, Engineering Consultant

2. H. A. Al-Qahtani, Vibration Engineer

3. A. A. Al-Amer, Coop Student

Revision Summary
29 December 2004 New Saudi Aramco Best Practice.
22 August 2010 Editorial revision to reflect the latest applicable referenced standards.

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