Saep 150

Engineering Procedure
SAEP-150 7 August 2019

Vibration Spectrum Analyzer and Sensors Accuracy Assessment
Document Responsibility: Vibration and Lubrication Standards Committee
Contents
1 Introduction ........................................................ 2
2 Conflicts and Deviations .................................... 2
3 Applicable Documents ....................................... 2
4 Definitions .......................................................... 3
5 Analyzer Accuracy Assessment ........................ 3
6 Analyzer-Transducer Accuracy Assessment ..... 4
Revision Summary................................................... 7
Appendix A - Equipment Setup ................................ 8
Previous Issue: 16 February 2017 Next Planned Update: 16 February 2022

Revised paragraphs are indicated in the right margin Page 1 of 13
Contact: Mamdouh B. Al-Aidarous (AIDAROMB) on phone +966-13-8809718
©Saudi Aramco 2019. All rights reserved.

Document Responsibility: Vibration and Lubrication Standards Committee SAEP-150
Issue Date: 7 August 2019
Next Planned Update: 16 February 2022 Vibration Spectrum Analyzer and Sensors Accuracy Assessment
1 Introduction
1.1 Purpose
Offline vibration instrument accuracy is essential to determine machinery

health; therefore, the objective of this engineering guidelines is to determine the
necessity of full scale calibration. It is a requirement that the vibration spectrum
analyzers and associated sensors to be calibrated on annual basis. Often times,
yearly calibration may not be needed and inconvenient. In-house checks are
required to manage the duration, frequency, quality and cost. This engineering
procedure sets an in-house guideline to check the analyzers' and vibration
sensors calibration validity on annual basis.
1.2 Scope
The scope of this procedure is to provide a method that can be used to ensure
acceptable accuracy and functionality of company owned spectrum analyzers,
sensors and associated cables. This document presents a two-stage procedure
which is essential to ensure vibration data collection accuracy. The two main
checks, both of which must be performed, are:
 Accuracy and functionality assessment of all types of vibration spectrum
analyzers.
 Accuracy and functionality assessment of spectrum analyzers in conjunction
with seismic sensors and cables.
Note: In case the spectrum analyzer found to be out of calibration, it must be sent to
the vendor or certified third party to perform actual calibration. Record of the
calibration test date shall be saved for future reference, a test label shall be
placed at the back of the analyzer indicating the calibration check date and final
results.
2 Conflicts and Deviations
2.1 Any conflicts between this document and other applicable Mandatory Saudi
Aramco Engineering Requirements (MSAERs) shall be addressed to the EK&RD
Coordinator.
2.2 Any deviation from the requirements herein shall follow internal company
procedure SAEP-302.
3 Applicable Documents
The procedure is based on the references below, unless otherwise noted:
3.1 Saudi Aramco References

Page 2 of 13
Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedure

SAEP-302 Waiver of a Mandatory Saudi Aramco Engineering
Requirement
3.2 Industry Codes and Standards

International Organization for Standardization
ISO 2954 Mechanical Vibration of Rotating and
Reciprocating Machinery - Requirements for
Instruments of Measuring Vibration Severity
4 Definitions
Amplifier: An electronic device that increases the voltage, current, or power of a signal.
Analyzer or Data Collector: A device that uses the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT)
algorithm to calculate a spectrum from a time domain signal.
Calibration: A test during which known values of the measured variables are applied
to the transducer or readout instrument and corresponding output readings are verified
and adjusted as necessary.
Frequency Generator: A device used to test electronic equipment by generating a
signal whose frequency, wave shape, and amplitude are independently adjustable over a
wide range of settings.
Linearity: (Calibration) The closeness of a calibration curve to a specified straight
line, expressed as the maximum deviation of any calibration point on a specified
straight line.
Shaker: An electromechanically device that provides a controllable vibration motion
for testing applications.
Vibration Transducer: Device that translates measured vibratory motion into an
electrical signal. Three of the most common transducers used in vibration
measurements are accelerometer, velocity transducer, and displacement probe.
5 Analyzer Accuracy Assessment
5.1 Analyzer Test Setup

Two checks are to be performed for Analyzer-Transducer Accuracy Assessment.
They are linearity check and frequency response check. Both checks shall be
performed periodically.
Page 3 of 13
This section sets a procedure to check the accuracy of the data collector using an
independent signal generator. The signal generator will be connected directly to
the analyzer as shown in Figure 1 (Appendix A). The signal generator is set to a
known constant amplitude, and the frequency can be varied so that the signal
input to the analyzer is recorded at each frequency step. The results deviation
shall be calculated for both frequency and amplitude, the maximum allowable
deviation is ±5% (ISO 2954 5.6).
5.2 Analyzer and Signal Generator Settings
The equipment used for the analyzer calibration consists of frequency generator,
connection cable, and the analyzer. Figure 1 (Appendix A) shows the
equipment connection layout.
The frequency generator and analyzer values settings shall be as shown in

Table 1 below.
Table 1 - Analyzer Settings
Analyzer Settings
Frequency Range Amplitude Range No. of Spectral Lines
2 – 5,000 Hz 0 – 2.0 Volts RMS 400
Frequency Generator Settings

Frequencies Output Amplitude
2, 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, 160, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 4,000 Hz 1.0 Volt RMS
Note: An example is provided in Appendix A.
Caution: Analyzers and transducers testing involve controllable electric voltage

which can (if improperly used) cause a damage to the tested units.
6 Analyzer-Transducer Accuracy Assessment
The linearity check determines if the output sensitivity (mV/Unit of vibration,

i.e., mV/g) remains constant from a minimum amplitude level to higher amplitude
levels. This check is usually made at 80 Hz. An example of this test is shown in
Table 9 in Appendix A.
A frequency-response check is applied to verify that the output sensitivity (mV/Unit of

vibration), or actual reading, is maintained over the normal operating frequency range.
The reference input vibration level is held at a constant level for the frequency response
test. An example of this test is shown in Table 10 in Appendix A.
Page 4 of 13
6.1 Analyzer-Transducer Test Setup
This section sets a procedure to check the accuracy of the data collector and
associated transducer when using a shaker. The equipment used for the
analyzer-transducer assessment consists of:
a) Frequency generator
b) Analyzer
c) Reference transducer
d) Actual transducer to be assessed (accelerometer or velometer)
e) Shaker
f) Amplifier
g) Connecting cables as shown in Figure 2 (Appendix A).
The shaker produces vibration movement with a known value measured using
a reference (i.e., accurately-calibrated) accelerometer or velocity transducer.
A signal generator is connected to the shaker via a power amplifier (Figure 2 of
Appendix A) and data from the reference and actual transducers is stored for
subsequent analysis. The percentage deviation in amplitude between the two
data sets is calculated and the maximum allowable deviation is set at ±10%.
The equipment used for the analyzers-transducer calibration are frequency

generator, connection cable, and the analyzer, Appendix A shows the equipment
connection.
Note: It is vital that the shaker unit, amplifier, calibrated transducer and associated
cables be maintained in good condition. In particular, cable, accelerometer,
and velometer shall be designated for accuracy assessment and shall not be
used for other purposes.
6.2 Analyzer-Transducer Test Settings
Analyzer and frequency-generator settings values for the linearity and frequency
response tests will depend upon the transducer type as shown in Tables 2 to 7
below.
6.2.1 Accelerometer Testing
6.2.1.1 Analyzer Settings
The settings shown in Table 2 apply for both the linearity and
frequency-response tests.
Table 2 - Spectrum Analyzer Settings
Page 5 of 13
Spectrum Analyzer Settings

2 – 5,000 Hz 0 – 5.0 g's RMS 400
6.2.1.2 Frequency-Generator Settings
Table 3 - Linearity Check

Frequency Output Amplitude
Five amplitude values:

80 Hz
0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 & 3.0 g's RMS
Table 4 - Frequency-Response Check

100, 200, 500, 1,000, Reference accelerometer -

2,000 and 4,000 Hz 1.0 g RMS at six frequency values
6.2.2 Velocity Transducer Testing
6.2.2.1 Analyzer Settings
The settings shown in Table 5 apply for both the linearity and
frequency-response tests.
Table 5 - Spectrum Analyzer Settings

Analyzer Settings
2 – 5,000 Hz 0 – 2.0 in/sec RMS 400
6.2.2.2 Frequency-Generator Settings

Table 6 - Linearity Check
Five amplitude values:

80 Hz
0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 & 1.0 ins/sec RMS
Page 6 of 13
Table 7 - Frequency-Response Check

30, 50, 70, 100, 200, Reference velocity transducer-

400 and 1,000 Hz 0.2 ins/sec RMS at seven frequency values
Revision Summary
16 February 2017 New Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedure that established a method that can be used to
ensure acceptable accuracy and functionality of data collectors, sensors and associated
cables. This document presents a two-stage procedure which is essential to ensure vibration
data collection accuracy.
07 August 2019 Editorial revision to:
- Change the revision cycle from three years to five years
- Modify section 2 “Conflicts and Deviations” to comply with SAEP-301
- Reflect document’s references in the proper section(s)/paragraph(s) to comply with
SAEP-301
- Remove references not referred to within the content
Page 7 of 13
Appendix A - Equipment Setup
SIGNAL
GENERATOR
DATA
COLLECTOR
Figure 1 - Analyzer Assessment Setup
POWER
SUPPLY
Transducer
TO BE
ASSESSED REFRENCE
(ACCURATELY
CALIBRATED)
VELOMITOR DATA
COLLECTOR
AMPLIFIER SIGNAL
GENERATOR
SHAKER
Figure 2 - Analyzer-Transducer Assessment Setup
Page 8 of 13
Appendix A (Continued)
Example of Data-Collector/Analyzer Accuracy Assessment
Table 8 below shows example of an analyzer accuracy check (Amplitude and Frequency).
The frequency is varied and the amplitude is observed for deviations. The maximum % deviation
in frequency is 0.0% and amplitude is 2.9% which meets the ±5% acceptable deviation.
Table 8 - Frequency and Amplitude Check
Frequency (Hz) Input Value 1.00 Vrms
Input Measured % Deviation Measured % Deviation
2 2 0% 0.971 -2.9
5 5 0% 1.001 0.10
10 10 0% 1.004 0.40
20 20 0% 1.007 0.70
40 40 0% 1.007 0.70
80 80 0% 1.007 0.70
160 160 0% 1.007 0.70
500 500 0% 1.007 0.70
1000 1000 0% 0.995 -0.50
2000 2000 0% 1.006 0.60
4000 4000 0% 1.006 0.60
Page 9 of 13
Appendix A (Continued)
Figure 3 - Amplitude Check Chart
Figure 4 - Frequency Check Chart
Page 10 of 13
A. Example of Analyzer-Transducer Accuracy Assessment
The procedures outlined in Section 5 were applied in laboratory for the cases of
Analyzer-Accelerometer and Analyzer-velometer. The results are presented
below.
A.1 Checking Accelerometers
The accelerometers used were as follows:

- Actual Accelerometer – Serial Number P96370
- Reference Accelerometer – Serial Number P96330
A.1.1 Linearity Check
Table 9 shows example of accelerometer linearity assessment

(Amplitude). The maximum % deviation in amplitude is 2.0%
which meets the ±5% acceptable deviation.
Table 9 - Accelerometer Linearity Check (at 80 Hz)

Reference Level, g's Actual Level, g's % of
RMS RMS Deviation
0.25 0.25 0
0.50 0.49 -2.00
1.00 0.99 -1.00
2.00 1.99 0.50
3.00 2.99 -0.30
A.1.2 Frequency-Response Check
Table 10 shows example of accelerometer frequency assessment

(Frequency). The maximum % deviation in amplitude is 0.0%,
which meets the ±5% acceptable deviation.
Page 11 of 13
Table 10 - Accelerometer Frequency-Response Check

Frequency Range Reference Level, g's Actual Level, g's % of
(Hz) RMS RMS Deviation
100 1.00 1.00 0
200 1.00 1.00 0
500 1.00 1.00 0
1,000 1.00 1.00 0
2,000 1.00 1.01 1.0
4,000 1.00 1.01 1.0
Accelerometer
Frequency Response Check
1.02
1.015
1.01
1.005
0.995
0.99
100 200 500 1K 2K 4K
Hz
Reference Actual Level
A.2 Velocity Transducer Check
The velocity transducers used were as follows:

- Actual velocity transducer –Velomitor Model Number 7691.
- Reference velocity transducer –Velomitor Model Number 3964.
A.2.1 Linearity Check
Table 11 shows example of velocity transducer linearity

assessment (Amplitude). The maximum % deviation in
amplitude is 4.0 %, which meets the ±5% acceptable deviation.
Page 12 of 13
Table 11 - Velocity Transducer Linearity Check (at 80 Hz)

Actual
Reference Level % of
Level
in/sec RMS Deviation
in/sec RMS
0.20 0.21 1.00
0.40 0.40 0.00
0.60 0.62 2.00
0.80 0.83 3.00
1.00 1.04 4.00
A.2.2 Frequency-Response Check
Table 12 shows example of velocity transducer frequency

assessment (Frequency). The maximum % deviation in
amplitude is 5.0%, which meets the ±5% acceptable deviation.
Table 12 - Velocity Transducer Frequency-Response Check

Frequency Reference Level Actual Level % of
Range (Hz) (in/sec RMS) (in/sec RMS) Deviation
30 0.20 0.20 0.00
50 0.20 0.20 0.00
70 0.20 0.20 0.00
100 0.20 0.21 5.00
200 0.20 0.20 0.00
400 0.20 0.21 5.00
1,000 0.20 0.20 0.00
Velocity Pickup Frequency Response Check

0.3
0.25
0.2
0.15
0.1
30 50 70 100 200 400 1K
Frequency (Hz)
Reference Actual Level
Page 13 of 13

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Engineering Procedure

SAEP-150 7 August 2019

Appendix A - Equipment Setup ................................ 8

Previous Issue: 16 February 2017 Next Planned Update: 16 February 2022

©Saudi Aramco 2019. All rights reserved.

Offline vibration instrument accuracy is essential to determine machinery

2 Conflicts and Deviations

The procedure is based on the references below, unless otherwise noted:

3.1 Saudi Aramco References

Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedure

3.2 Industry Codes and Standards

5 Analyzer Accuracy Assessment

5.1 Analyzer Test Setup

5.2 Analyzer and Signal Generator Settings

The frequency generator and analyzer values settings shall be as shown in

Table 1 - Analyzer Settings

2 – 5,000 Hz 0 – 2.0 Volts RMS 400

Frequency Generator Settings

Note: An example is provided in Appendix A.

Caution: Analyzers and transducers testing involve controllable electric voltage

6 Analyzer-Transducer Accuracy Assessment

The linearity check determines if the output sensitivity (mV/Unit of vibration,

A frequency-response check is applied to verify that the output sensitivity (mV/Unit of

6.1 Analyzer-Transducer Test Setup

The equipment used for the analyzers-transducer calibration are frequency

6.2 Analyzer-Transducer Test Settings

6.2.1 Accelerometer Testing

6.2.1.1 Analyzer Settings

Spectrum Analyzer Settings

6.2.1.2 Frequency-Generator Settings

Table 3 - Linearity Check

Five amplitude values:

Table 4 - Frequency-Response Check

100, 200, 500, 1,000, Reference accelerometer -

6.2.2 Velocity Transducer Testing

6.2.2.1 Analyzer Settings

Table 5 - Spectrum Analyzer Settings

6.2.2.2 Frequency-Generator Settings

Five amplitude values:

Table 7 - Frequency-Response Check

30, 50, 70, 100, 200, Reference velocity transducer-

Appendix A - Equipment Setup

Figure 1 - Analyzer Assessment Setup

Figure 2 - Analyzer-Transducer Assessment Setup

Table 8 - Frequency and Amplitude Check

Frequency (Hz) Input Value 1.00 Vrms

Input Measured % Deviation Measured % Deviation

160 160 0% 1.007 0.70

500 500 0% 1.007 0.70

1000 1000 0% 0.995 -0.50

2000 2000 0% 1.006 0.60

4000 4000 0% 1.006 0.60

Figure 3 - Amplitude Check Chart

Figure 4 - Frequency Check Chart

A. Example of Analyzer-Transducer Accuracy Assessment

A.1 Checking Accelerometers

The accelerometers used were as follows:

A.1.1 Linearity Check

Table 9 shows example of accelerometer linearity assessment

Table 9 - Accelerometer Linearity Check (at 80 Hz)

A.1.2 Frequency-Response Check

Table 10 shows example of accelerometer frequency assessment