® SKF Reliability Systems

Sensors in Condition Monitoring

The selection of correct sensors for the
Connector
measurement of vibration is critical for the
successful implementation of a condition Output
Terminals
monitoring system. The first determination
to be made is which type of sensor is Spring Mass

required for the particular job at hand.

Permanent Crystal
There are four basic types of sensors, Magnet

velocity probe, acceleration transducer, Coil

displacement (eddy current) transducer and Base
Stud
SEE transducer. Stud

Velocity Accelerometer
Velocity Probe Transducers Transducer

The velocity transducer is a device

consisting of a case within which is a coil
wire. Internally, there is a spring
suspended permanent magnet which is held
motionless relative to a point in free space
when the transducer is operating within the
specified frequency range. As the wire coil
cuts through the stationary magnetic field,
a voltage proportional to the relative
velocity of the magnet and coil is
generated. The resulting high voltage level
low impedance signal can be used directly
by analysis or monitoring equipment. The
Figure 1. Velocity and Accelerometer Transducers.
inherent problem with a velocity transducer
is that the signal tends to be very noisy.
Also, being primarily mechanical devices,
they tend to become unreliable over time.
Acceleration Transducer
The SKF Condition Monitoring
accelerometer operates on a Piezoelectric
principle. Motion in the axial direction
stresses the Piezoelectric crystal due to the

Application Note
CM3002 Figure 2. Eddy Probe and Eddy Probe Driver.
 “Sensors in Condition Monitoring”
internal force of the mass. The crystal generates a voltage
when in this stressed position, proportional to the force upon
it. In this way, acceleration is measured and via an internal
amplifier a low impedance output (typically 10 to 100 mV/
A peak) signal can be provided to the analysis and
monitoring equipment. Since it is often a requirement to
display displacement (shaft position relative to a fixed
point) the velocity and acceleration can respectively be
integrated once or twice. The velocity and acceleration
transducers are referred to as case-mounted devices since
they are mounted on the case of the bearing.
Displacement (Eddy Current) Transducer
SKF Condition Monitoring manufactures eddy current
displacement transducers. This transducer directly measures
rotating shaft position relative to a “fixed” point. The
change in position of a shaft provides a direct indication of
vibration. The key to the wide acceptance of this type of
transducer is that it is field proven for ruggedness,
simplicity and reliability of operation. The construction of
the probe enables it to withstand the high temperatures and
hostile environments encountered in typical machinery
installation.
The tip of the eddy probe contains an encapsulated wire
(0.0016" diameter) coil which when excited with a high
frequency signal provides an electromagnetic field. As the
shaft rotates under vibrating condition, it will move closer to
or further from the probe tip, therefore interfacing with the
magnetic field more or less. An eddy current is induced, the
strength of which is proportional to the interference of the
magnetic field. Therefore, by measuring the eddy current
level, the shaft position and hence the vibration level can be
determined.
The electronics associated with the eddy current probe
provide the high frequency excitation signal and an output
proportional to the eddy current signal (usually 200 mV/mil
of vibration). When setting up an eddy probe installation, it
is essential to ‘gap’ the probe. This entails setting the probe
tip a fixed datum point from the rotating shaft.
Varying
Gap
Flat
"Pancake"
Coil
Magnetic
Field
Target
Figure 3. Eddy Probe Tip.
2 www.skfreliability.com
Usual ranges measured with this type of probe are 5, 10 or
20 mils. It is essential that for simple interpretation of the
signal that the electrical signal be as level as possible with
the distance between the probe tip and the shaft.
The API (American Petroleum Institute) has written
demanding standards on the requirements of performance
for eddy current probes, particularly with regard to signal
linearity. The design of the SKF Condition Monitoring
probe meets these requirements through the unique design
of the coil at the probe tip. This coil is wound to great
precision in a helical (rather than cylindrical) format. SKF
Condition Monitoring has many years of experience in the
design and manufacture of eddy current probes and during
that time has supplied over 150,000 units.
SEE Transducer
The type of transducer selected depends upon the particular
application. The velocity, acceleration and SEE probes are
case mounted (mounted on to the bearing casing and not
looking at the shaft itself). The applications for these are
mainly on rolling element bearings, or those installations
where an eddy current probe cannot be mounted and where
are presentative vibration signal can be measured on the
casing. Eddy current probes are usually used on sleeve
bearings or where direct access to the shaft can be made
(larger machines). In modern process plants, most
commonly found transducers encountered measure
acceleration or displacement (eddy current transducer).
Although this deals specifically with sensors, it is important
to understand how these signals are used. Velocity,
acceleration and SEE transducers can be used in both
periodic or permanently installed vibration monitoring
applications. The eddy current probe is used mainly in
permanent monitoring applications.
Periodic
Monitoring
Figure 4 is the SKF
Condition
Monitoring’s
Portable Data
Collector which,
with associated
software, provides
powerful low-cost
monitoring of
machines.
Figure 4. SKF Condition Monitoring’s
Portable Data Collector Microlog.
 ®

"Sensors in
Condition
Monitoring"

Figure 5. M800A Programmable Machinery Monitoring System.

SKF Reliability Systems
4141 Ruffin Road
San Diego, California 92123
USA
Telephone (+1) 858-496-3400
FAX (+1) 858-496-3531
Web: www.skfreliability.com
Permanent Monitoring
Figure 5 is the SKF Condition Monitoring’s M800A Programmable Machinery Monitoring
System, which not only continuously monitors the vibration levels in machines but also can
provide machine shutdown at predetermined levels of vibration, what we call “protection”.
Sensors in the Future
We have seen into the “future” somewhat with the SEE probe and SKF Condition
Monitoring will continue to research new technologies and applications. In the shorter
term, it does appear likely that improvements in cost and performance of all transducers
will be made. The key to the eddy probe performance is in quality of the coil and different
methods of coil winding, such as etching or depositing processes are being investigated.
Also an integral electronics unit with the eddy current probe would have a direct market
advantage.

Although care has been taken to

assure the accuracy of the data
compiled in this publication, SKF
does not assume any liability for
errors or omissions. SKF
reserves the right to alter any part
of this publication without prior
notice.

• SKF is a registered trademark

of SKF USA Inc.

• All other trademarks are the

property of their respective
owners.

CM3002 (Revised 7-99)

Copyright © 1999 by
SKF Reliability Systems
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED