Fundamentals of

Vibration Analysis

Shaft Centerline Plots

 Calculation of radial shaft centerline position

• The running position of a shaft within its bearing can be calculated

from the change in X-Y proximity probe voltages.
• Each probe gives a vector and their summation indicates the position.
 Calculation of radial shaft centerline position
• For the left axis probe
– Cold gap voltage = -9.58 V DC
– Voltage at full speed = -8.94 V DC
– Difference voltage = 0.64 V. Calibration = 200 mv/Mil
– Change in position = 0.64 / 0.2 = 3.2 Mils towards 135o probe
– Voltage reduction means movement is towards probe
• For the right axis probe
– Cold gap voltage = -9.44 V DC
– Voltage at full speed = -8.56 V DC
– Difference voltage = 0.88 V. Calibration = 200 mv/Mil
– Change in position = 0.88 / 0.2 = 4.4 Mils towards 45o probe
• These two vectors are plotted in the drawing. Their
resultant can be found by graphic method or
calculation. The resultant is 5.44 Mils @ 81o
Average Shaft Centerline Plot during shut down

• Left plot shows the available clearance circle on a large scale

• Right figure graphically illustrates position of shaft relative to bearing
wall for operating (6100 RPM) and slow roll (340 RPM) speeds.
Change of Shaft Centerline Position with load

- O/B bearing of steam turbine

- Speed is constant at 3600 RPM
- Shaft is shifting down and to
the right during load change
Data plot is versus time instead
of RPM, to allow correlation
of shaft position with
operational changes
Change in position is possibly
due to
Thermal growth and change in
alignment
Unbalanced valve sequencing