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Vibration Measurement & Analysis Using Arduino Based Accelerometer

Conference Paper · June 2020

DOI: 10.1109/TENSYMP50017.2020.9230668

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2020 IEEE Region 10 Symposium (TENSYMP), 5-7 June 2020, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Vibration Measurement & Analysis Using Arduino
Based Accelerometer
Md. Hasibuzzaman, Abu Shufian, Rubayat Kabir Shefa, Rifat Raihan, Joy Ghosh, and Avijit Sarker
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, American International University-Bangladesh, Dhaka-1229, Bangladesh
hasibshuvo1995@gmail.com, shufian2aiub@gmail.com, rubayatkabir.shefa@gmail.com, rifat.raihan@hotmail.com,
joyghosh04@gmail.com, and avijitsarker.as@gmail.com
Abstract— One of the main causes of structural damage to
the building is vibration. By detecting early vibration through
digital technology, many losses and accidents can be reduced.
This design prototype shows the implementation process of the
ADXL-345 Accelerometer and Arduino based vibration
analysis. The prototype consists of ADXL-345 Accelerometer,
Arduino mega, Wi-Fi module, LCD display. It performs the
following functions like measuring vibration and also analyzing
the overall vibration as well as compare with the standard
device from the correctness side. Here the system is going to use
four ADXL-345 Triple-Axis Accelerometer which senses the
vibration of the object and sends this data to Arduino. By the
Wi-Fi module, the data which is collected from the
Accelerometer is inspected. This device makes the data analysis
easier and gives accurate results. Even the resultant data can be
transmitted on a personal server which is a very helpful way.
This work gives focus to show the causes for vibration
controlling and to find out the impulse movement that gives
proper specification about the machinery situation and how
much it affects the structure. So, to maintain the machinery,
vibration observing is a much-needed part of this established
era.
Keywords— analysis, measurement, vibration, accelerometer,
danger, controlling, arduino, wifi-module, frequency.
I. INTRODUCTION
Vibration is a physical condition of an object that occurs
in cycling or oscillating motion in its own status during starts
up, shut down, and customary position. It is a cyclical back-
and-forth motion of the objects of an elastic body or medium,
generally ensuring when any physical system which is
dislocated from its own equilibrium condition and allowed to
respond to the forces which are inclined in action to restore
the equilibrium condition [1]. Because of over vibration or
unwanted vibration of any heavy machines in a building or
lacking vibration measuring device many accidents occurs all
over the world. For preventing this phenomenon such as
damage, abnormal stopping, and disaster are important issues
to measure vibration [2]. Vibration monitoring of the turbine
alternator set of MW capacity is being done for condition
monitoring of the whole set. Large vibration in the turbine
alternator set may cause damage to coil insulation, damage to
the shaft, and bearings. Similarly, large machinery essentially
calls for vibration monitoring for contortion monitoring so
that any fault can be predicted well in advance and corrective
action may be taken.
Here measuring vibration is the main focusing point using
ADXL-345 Triple-Axis Accelerometer, Arduino, Wi-Fi
module. Here the system is going to use four ADXL-345
Triple-Axis Accelerometer which senses the vibration of the
object and sends this data to Arduino. By Arduino, the data
which is collected from the Accelerometer is inspected. The
978-1-7281-7366-5/20/$31.00 ©2020 IEEE
resultant data is compared with the machines exceeding range
frequency and acceleration which will help to detect if the
machinery vibration is exceeding the limit. Also comparing
resultant data from the accelerometer-based vibration meter
with standard Vibrometer and the accuracy is measured [3].
In some empirical cases developing a numerical
representation of the technical method and can predict its
vibration features through an analytic study might be difficult.
The first piezoelectric accelerometer was manufactured by
Bruel and Kzear (Denmark), Columbia Research Laboratories
(Woodlyn, PA), Gulton Manufacturing (Metuchen, NJ),
Endevco (Pasadena, CA) and Kistler Instruments (Buffalo,
NY). Brüel & Kjaer released their first accelerometer (model
4303) in 1945 and that was possibly the first commercial
piezoelectric accelerometer [4]. They also manufactured the
first shear accelerometer in 1972 (model 8307) which was
similar to the highly acclaimed DeltaShear. In 1980 LASER
transducer based on Doppler Effect for non-velocity
measurement was manufactured [5]. Mostly different types of
accelerometer like ADXL-335, ADXL-345, and ADXL-555
are used to measuring vibration. Some renowned electronic
equipment designing and manufacturing companies like
Adafruit, SparkFun manufactured different types of
accelerometer boards. They also manufactured piezoelectric
sensors, gyroscope, and different types of vibrating sensing
Arduino based sensors [6]. Vibration monitoring of an
electrical machine is one of the measuring tasks for research
essentially in the generation and propagation unit [7]. Due to
risky sides of higher conduction of machinery, nowadays
many companies are trying to develop an accurate way to
measure resonant conditions [8].
II. METHODOLOGY AND DESIGNING OF ARDUINO BASED
ACCELEROMETER
An anatomical situation of an object that occurs in cycling
or oscillating motion in its own status during starts up, shut
down and customary position and also the system is deported
from is the normal state is known as vibration. It is defined as
how many numbers of cycles reiterating per unit of time. The
measuring SI unit of frequency is Hertz (Hz). Frequency
mathematical relationship is: = ( ), = . The
symbol of frequency is denoted as ‘f’. The opposite of
frequency is called period or total time for one cycle which is
designated as ‘T’. Acceleration is an expression that is
involved as the alternation of velocity with respect to per unit
of time [6]. The measuring SI unit of Acceleration is (ms-2)
that is a vector quantitiy because of both magnitude and
directions present here. The relation between acceleration and
frequency is,
Acceleration, = ( + )
 = ( ) + ) B. Modeling of the System
• Connection with Arduino and ADXL-l345
= (2 ) + . accelerometer sensor.
For centripetal acceleration, = ² • Making serial communication between NodeMCU
= (2 ) . and Arduino.

A. Specification • Record data and send it to the server and compare

with the standard Vibrometer.
• Display: With ThingSpeak Computer display & with
Blynk Android Mobile Phone display. Start
• Transducer: Adafruit ADXL-345 Accelerometer.
• Parameters: Frequency, acceleration. WI-FI Mode

• Measuring range: Frequency 3200Hz, Acceleration

unpowered 10000g, Powered 10000g (any axis). NO WI-FI
Connected
• Accuracy: ± 4.6%.
YES
• Operating condition: Operating Voltage 2 to 3.6V, Display WI-FI Connected
Operating Temperature -40ºC to +85ºC.
• Power supply: +5V. BLYNK ON
NO Display Data ON
• Weight: 352 grams.
YES
So at first it is very important to know the basic scheme
Display Data
and working principle of all the using tools.
Vibration Data Monitoring
from Detected by NodeMCU Data with End
Structure ADXL-345 Server
Fig. 1: Basic system Block Diagram. Fig. 4 : Flow chart for Blynk Data Analysis Process.

NO III. RESULT ANALYSIS AND CRITICAL DESIGN REVIEW

Start Accelerometer Is the Data The proper implementation method of ADXL-345
Data Present accelerometer and the connection between Arduino and
YES ADXL-345 and the sensing data transferring method is given
Recorded Interpret here:
End
Data Output
(a) (b)
Fig. 2: Flow chart for ADXL-345 data sensing operation.

ADXL-345 data sensing process of a sensor to a

microcontroller to a laptop or any server. With the help of a
Wi-Fi module, it can connect to the network, and record the
raw data from Arduino. The recorded data then analyzed by
ThingSpeak server or Blynk apps. The data will send to the
server when Wi-Fi mode is connected, then it constantly sends
the data and makes an auto curve to the thing Speak field.
Start

Detect Variable----String

Network Information
Fig. 5: (a) Connection of ADXL-345, Arduino and Esp8266 NodeMCU, (b)
Experimental setup of Arduino, ADXL-345 Accelerometer and NodeMCU.

While Connect Display A. Data Collection

NO WI-FI
After the device setup, the experiment will be ready to be
conducted. After connecting the connection of the circuit
Process Data
diagram data will be described briefly and analyze the
If Connect NO
accuracy, ability, and performance of the prototype. The
THINGSPEAK prototype result will be compared by the original vibration
meter. The vibration data (frequency and acceleration) is
YES
taken from a car engine (2NZ-FE). Normally when a car
Store Data
engine is started to run it creates vibration. But due to some
reasons like damaged motor mounts, improper fuel intake
End
adjustment, faulty spark plugs, disconnect hoses are
Fig. 3: Flow chart for ThingSpeak Data Analysis Process.
responsible for extra or unwanted vibration in car engines.
B. Data Sending to Blynk In Table I, the acceleration data of x, y, and z-axis and the
For data collecting the ADXL-345 is connected with frequency data of x and y-axis are shown. This data are
Arduino and for data transmitting the Arduino is connected calculated from ADXL-345 triple axis accelerometer.
with ESP8266 NodeMCU. Both Arduino and NodeMCU are TABLE I: DATA ANALYSIS ACCELERATION AND FREQUENCY
powered by an external 5V power supply. The ESP8266
Acceleration Acceleration Acceleration Frequency Frequency
NodeMCU sends the acceleration data for x, y, and z-axis to in X axis in Y axis in Z axis for X axis for Y axis
the Blynk app. A mobile phone installed with the Blynk app -3.94 1.96 -10.18 11.18 7.88
is wirelessly connected with a WI-FI device. By wireless 2.81 -5.58 10.85 9.44 13.30
connection, the NodeMCU sends the data to the Blynk App 6.89 1.72 3.63 14.78 7.38
on the mobile phone. 5.32 4.47 2.14 12.99 12.31
2.65 3.21 -6.41 9.17 10.09
-0.65 -3.14 -16.38 4.54 9.98
9.16 0.07 19.32 17.05 1.49
-1.20 -2.52 11.24 6.17 8.45
6.65 0.70 5.12 14.08 4.71
0.22 4.47 4.10 2.64 11.91
6.65 0.70 2.37 14.52 4.71
0.69 3.76 4.57 2.64 11.91
6.34 3.05 -0.06 14.52 4.71
4.61 3.52 -12.61 12.097 10.57
3.43 6.58 -1.00 10.43 14.45
0.22 -5.58 -5.79 2.64 13.30
0.30 -6.20 -11.75 3.086 14.02
Fig. 6: Acceleration Data in Blynk App. 1.86 -4.24 1.51 7.68 11.60
-0.57 -1.81 3.71 4.25 7.58
C. Data Sending and Storing to ThingSpeak: -1.20 -1.18 -7.28 6.17 6.12
0.22 -3.69 1.20 2.64 10.82
The collected data can also store in a data server name as
-6.22 -6.28 2.30 14.05 14.11
ThingsPeak. The data is collected from accelerometer which -1.27 -2.52 -1.94 6.34 6.12
is send to NodeMCU via Arduino and with the help of 2.73 3.29 0.10 2.64 10.82
NodeMCU the data is sent to ThingSpeak server and with 4.92 0.94 3.71 14.05 14.11
valid API key the data is stored in the server. The server take -0.57 0.54 -8.92 6.34 8.94
the data and plotting curve with a delay of 30 seconds. -0.65 -1.18 -5.16 9.30 10.21
3.67 2.74 -2.10 12.49 5.46
2.81 1.88 -0.60 4.25 4.14
1.00 -3.07 -2.65 4.54 6.12

E. Acceleration Data plotting:

Acceleration in X axis
10
Acceleration (ms-2)

0
0 10 20 30 40
-5

-10 Time (sec)

Acceleration for Y axis
10
Fig. 7: Data storing and graph plotting in ThingSpeak.
Acceleration (ms-2)

5
D. Data collection for Vibrometer VM-6360:
For a better comparison of proper acceleration data has 0
taken by ADXL-345, the data is comparing with a standard 0 10 20 30 40
vibrometer that can measure all vibration parameter- -5
acceleration, frequency, displacement, RPM and velocity.
-10 Time (sec)
Acceleration for Z axis
40
Acceleration (ms-2)

20

0
0 10 20 30 40
-20 Time (sec)
Fig. 8: Vibration measurement with VM-6360. Fig. 9: x, y, and z-axis acceleration measurement for ADXL-345.
 For a vibrating engine, acceleration data is taken from Frequency for Y axis
Blynk display and this data is the real-time acceleration value 20
for ADXL-345 for the three-axis. This is the graph for 15
acceleration vs time graph where the x-axis is for acceleration

Magnitude
and y-axis for time. It is the graph for the gradient of a 10
velocity-time graph where the slops indicate the fluctuating
rate of the vibrating object for x, y, and z-axis individually. 5
The proper acceleration sensitivity of the surface vibration can
0
easily be observed by the graph. From the graph, the highest
0 10 20 30 40
value of acceleration can easily be observed in terms of second
Frequency (Hz)
as the graph shows separate acceleration value for every
second. From the graphs in Fig 9, it is observed that in the x- Fig. 10: Frequency Plotting Data for x and y-axis.
axis graph the highest acceleration is 9.16 ms-2 in 7th second.
In the y-axis graph, the highest acceleration is 6.58 ms-2 in the In Table II, the the acceleration and frequency data of y-
15th second. In the z-axis graph, the highest acceleration is axis are shown which data are collected from Vibrometer VM-
19.32 ms-2 in the 7th second. Every machine, rotating engine, 6360.
or heavy building has a threshold vibration. If this limit is TABLE II: ACCELERATION DATA ANALYSIS FOR VIBROMETER
exceeded by any occurrence this structure is faulty. But
Acceleration data Frequency Acceleration data Frequency
without graph plotting, it is very difficult to detect the proper for vibrometer for y axis for vibrometer for y axis
rate of acceleration or frequency visualization. Form the 2.9 8.908 2.0 8.357
acceleration data, the frequency data is calculated to find one 2.5 9.085 2.7 11.126
parameter of vibration and that is frequency. The frequency 2.6 8.544 3.8 8.908
graph is the magnitude vs frequency graph in which, how 2.3 8.720 3.1 7.340
much the vibrating object vibrates is visualized. 2.4 9.258 2.2 9.085
2.7 8.357 3.9 9.258
From the data in the graph, the acceleration data is 2.2 8.720 2.5 8.908
visualized and think about the engine condition that the engine 2.4 8.908 1.7 9.599
is good or defective condition. From the amplitude value of 2.7 9.750 2.6 9.910
the graph, the condition is analyzed. For acceleration 2.2 9.920 2.7 10.69
2.4 9.085 2.5 9.258
measured by the ADXL-345, the highest pick value is almost
2.5 7.960 2.9 9.910
10 and for frequency, for the same value, the magnitude is 3.0 9.258 3.1 10.23
slightly greater than 15. The experimental engine which we 3.1 10.98 3.6 16.42
used for data measuring has the highest range of frequency is 2.6 9.920 2.7 10.98
33.6Hz. The highest frequency tolerating value of the engine
is 1k Hz. The mechanical system subjected to vibration has its G. Vibrameter Data Analysis:
own resonating frequency. This resonating frequency Acceleration for vibrometer
6
primarily depends on how the mechanical structure is seated
or grouted with a concrete structure and bolting arrangement
Acceleration (ms-2)

or use of air bearing which is more common nowadays. The 4

forcing frequency of the structure should be always away from
resonating frequency in order to avoid mechanical resonance. 2
So it can be said that the engine is totally in good condition
because its vibration frequency is less than its highest 0
frequency tolerating value. So for any person who knows the
0 10 20 30 40
exceeding limit vibration and acceleration for any machine or Time (sec)
engine can easily compare the condition of the machine from
Frequency for Vibrometer
this type of graph in terms of its respective vibrating 20
conditions. The acceleration and vibration graph shows the
attitude and behavior of any vibrating object or machinery
Magnitude

15
whether it is good or faulty. Every machine, rotating engine,
or heavy building has a threshold vibration. If this limit is 10
exceeded by any occurrence this structure is faulty. But 5
without graph plotting, it is very difficult to detect the proper
rate of acceleration or frequency visualization. 0
F. Frequency Data Plotting: 0 10 20 30 40
Frequency (Hz)
20 Frequency for X axis Fig. 11: Acceleration and frequency Data plotting for Vibrometer.

15 In Fig 9, the acceleration data of x, y, and z-axis are

measured and in Fig 10, the frequency of x and y-axis is
Magnitude

10 measured with the ADXL-345 accelerometer. In Fig. 11, the

acceleration and frequency data are measured with the
5
vibrometer VM-6360. From the figures, it is seen that the data
0 which are measured from the accelerometer are comparatively
0 10 20 30 40 similar to the vibrometer data.
Frequency (Hz)
 TABLE III: DIFFERENTIATION TABLE curve by in MATLAB software but this target is quite fulfilled
Name Differentiation Nearest similarity because of lacking MATLAB to ARDUINO and WI-FI
module interfacing. To findings a more developed method it
Technology In this research tri-axial ADXL- Piezoelectric
345 accelerometer uses where sensors or is better to use a GSM module instead of a Wi-Fi module. So
most of the vibrometer uses a transducers are by using the GSM module, it allows getting the sensor data
novel optic accelerometer. used [9]. from a larger distance. In Arduino mega, it is difficult to
Features Transmitting the accelerometer Time domain connect multiple I2C-interface devices into a single pin SDA
data with the help of Wi-Fi display [9] [11]. and SCL. As in this model four ADXL-345 accelerometer is
module and analysis the used so the problem arrived to connect all the sensors in the
transmitted data that will Arduino board so by using the TCA9548A multiplexer the
continuously take place on the
server in real time manner. process will be easier and less complex. Also to get more
accurate data decreasing the delay of the program with the
Functionality Real time vibration measurement Real time vibration help of using raspberry-pi instead of Arduino mega which also
process with RMS calculation. measurement
process [10]. helps to increase the speed of data transfer to the server. It
could be more to analyze the data through the lab view.
TABLE IV: COMPARISONS BETWEEN PROPOSED AND EXISTING V. CONCLUSION
ACCELEROMETER
Vibration Meter made with VM-6360 Vibrometer In final it can be said that this proposed model is beneficial
Accelerometer for its proper measurement and it is also a developed model
for finding mechanical acceleration vibration which is much
Frequency sensing level is Frequency level is about 10Hz to
3200Hz. 1KHz [12]. more efficient for safety purposes. This is the basic idea of
finding proper data by accelerometer. It provides data with a
Accuracy is ±4.5% Accuracy level is near to ±5% minimum amount of error also provides some advanced
The sensor can measure the value A build in sensor is inside the facilities that other available devices cannot. With wireless
without any physical touch. Vibrometer which sense the data transferring system it has ensured the safety purpose more
vibrating frequency [8] [11]. strongly. It is also cheaper than other available measuring
With the help of WI-FI module the There is no data transferring devices in the market. But with proper research, it can be
resultant value can be observed far module in it. Nowadays some updated more.
away from the experimental area. company make Laser Doppler
Vibrometer which contains data REFERENCES
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a WI-FI module. The sensor data can be analyzed by plotting

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