Application Note

103

10

10
0

10
00

Machinery Fault Analysis Guide

D
IS
(m PL
ils AC
pk E
-p ME
k) N
T

A Member of MISTRAS Holdings Group

1.
0

10
(140)

0
10

.
DANGER - SHUTDOWN

(130)
1

0.
1

DANGER - FAILURE NEAR

(120)

.0
10

VELOCITY
(in-pk/sec)
(vdB)

POSSIBLE PROBLEM

AC

(110)

IO
AT
ER s
EL rm
C g-

MINOR ROUGHNESS

.1

0.
01

NORMAL OPERATION

(100)

1.
0
5

0.
4

0.

(90)

0.

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Locate machine rotational speed on bottom frequency scale
2. Record the velocity (in-pk/sec or vdB) OR displacement (mils pk-pk)
OR acceleration (g-rms) reading and if applicable multiply the
reading by the Service Factors listed to the right. Locate the
adjusted reading on the appropriate scale on the chart above.
3. The intersection of 1. and 2. determines machine condition
4. See guide on reverse side for more troubleshooting information

1000

0.

FREQUENCY (RPM)
100

0.

.01
10000
MACHINERY TYPE

100000
SERVICE FACTOR

Single Stage Centrifugal Pump, Electric Motors, Fans ................................1.0

Non-critical Chemical Processing Equipment ............................................ 1.0
Turbine, Turbine Generator, Centrifugal Compressor ............................... 1.6
Centrifuge, Shaft suspended ..................................................................... 0.5
Centrifuge, Link suspended ....................................................................... 0.3
Miscellaneous Equipment with Unknown Characteristics ......................... 2.0

(Ref: "Monitor Acceleration Velocity or Displacement"; A.B. Kaufman; Instruments and Control Systems, October 1975)

195 Clarksville Road, Princeton Junction, NJ 08550 Phone: 609-716-4130 Fax: 609-716-0706
Email: sales@vibrametrics.com Internet: www.vibrametrics.com
Due to continuing improvement, Vibra-Metrics reserves the right to amend specifications without notice.
Copyright 2003 MISTRAS Holdings Group. All Rights Reserved. Rev. 1/04

Application Note

103

A Member of MISTRAS Holdings Group

Machinery Fault Analysis Guide

NOTES

INDICATED LEVEL
FOR POSSIBLE
TROUBLE (inpk/sec)

Common problem:
check dynamic balance
of main motion

.2 - .5
106 115 vdB

Armature
lamination chatter

Armature requires
repair

.1 - .5
100 115 vdB

Unsteady vibration
reading

Motor misalignment

Check alignment and

leveling

Unsteady

Level may vary and

exhibit beat
characteristics

Interaction due to
non-synchronous
operation of two
units very close in
rotational frequency

Isolate or dampen
sources

.
05 - .2
98 105 vdB

TYPE OF
MACHINE
OR DEVICE

FREQUENCY OF
DISTURBANCE

PLANE OF
VIBRATION

OTHER RELATED
SYMPTOMS

POSSIBLE
CAUSES

Rotating motors
Generators

1X base RPM

Radial

Steady or increase
with rotational speed

Rotor unbalance

Electric Motor

7200 RPM

Radial

Stops when power to

motor cut

Electric Motor

Erratic

Axial
Radial
Depends on
mounting
form

Rotating Two
Or more units

Very low

Couplings,
Shafts
and Bearings

2X base rpm
sometimes 1X or
3X

Sleeve Bearings

Sleeve Bearings

Sleeve Bearings

Ball Bearings

Gears

50-100X RPM

base RPM

Armature
resonance
Sometimes high
multiple of base
RPM
1X RPM or number
of teeth X RPM or
gear ratio

Belts

1 X base RPM

Fans and
Impellers

1 X base RPM or
blade passing
frequency

Usually
axial
Sometimes
radial

Misaligned
couplings or shaft
bearings

Check alignment
tolerances. If shaft is
bent, vibration will be at
base speed

.2 - .5
106 115 vdB

Radial

Random in nature:
energy distributed
over wide frequency
range. May excite
critical shaft
resonance 1X or 2X
RPM; may get hot

Defective bearings,
excessive friction

Replace

.05 - .2
98 105 vdB

Radial

Disappears when
speed drops

Oil whirl in
lubricated bearings

May be due to
excessive clearance or
insufficient bearing
loads

.05 - .2
98 105 vdB

Replace bearing or
improve lubrication

.1 - .5
100 115 vdB

Radial

Does not vary with

speed

Friction whip;
excessive friction
rubbing or chatter
in bearing excites
armature or support

Readings may be
unsteady. Spikes
indicate pitted balls.

Worn balls. Rough

races. Poor
lubrication.

Check, lubricate or
replace bearings

.1 - .5
100 115 vdB
erratic

Radial or
torsional

May excite structure

resonance.

Chipped gear.
Eccentric gear pitch
circle.

Inspect gear, replace or

correct eccentricity

.1 - .5
109 115 vdB

Axial and
radial

Readings may be
unsteady.

Belts misaligned,
mismatched or in
resonance.

Check alignment,
dampen vibration or
replace belts

.1 - .5
98 110 vdB

Axial or
radial

Frequency will vary

with speed.

May be design or
proximity problem

Relocate, change blade

distance, clean blades,
check for imbalance

.1 - .5
98 110 vdB

Radial

195 Clarksville Road, Princeton Junction, NJ 08550 Phone: 609-716-4130 Fax: 609-716-0706
Email: sales@vibrametrics.com Internet: www.vibrametrics.com
Due to continuing improvement, Vibra-Metrics reserves the right to amend specifications without notice.
Copyright 2003 MISTRAS Holdings Group. All Rights Reserved. Rev. 1/04