CHAPTER 3: VIBRATION MEASUREMENT – SELECTING AND USING PICKUPS

All IRD vibration meters, monitors and analyzers use a vibration transducer – a vibration pickup or sensor.
Velocity Pickups
- Respond directly to vibration velocity and are used for measuring vibration displacement and velocity
Seismic Velocity Pickup (Moving Coil Type)
- A self-generating device used widely for general measurement, analysis and balancing requirements.
- When magnet vibrates while the coil remains stationary, it generates voltage which is then transmitted
to a vibration meter.
- Has relatively high electrical output levels
- Its sensitivity is constant over a wide range of operating frequencies but there are limitations.
Direct-Prod Velocity Pickup (Moving Coil Type)
- Used for measuring vibrations in small, lightweight part or structure.
- A thin pod extends through the endcap of the pickup.
- Main body of the unit is fastened to a rigid structure to serve as a reference point. The tip of the prod is
then attached to the vibrating part, using a threaded tip or a special magnetic tip.
Seismic (Piezoelectric) Velocity Pickup
- This unit has an output that is proportional to velocity, but have no internal moving parts.
- Crystal or special ceramic produces electrical charge
Accelerometers
- A self-generating device with a voltage or charge output proportional to vibration acceleration.
Seismic (Piezoelectric with Built-In Amplifier)
- Mechanical vibrations are passed through the frame to a piezoelectric material.
- Has the ability to generate and electrical charge in response to a mechanical force applied to it.
- Can operate over wide frequency and temperature ranges and high vibration levels.
Non-Contact (Proximity) Transducers
- Measures the actual shaft vibration to know when seal and bearing clearances are in danger.
- Has no element that generates a voltage or electrical charge in response to vibration, it has a signal
sensor which generates a very high-frequency electrical signal called the carrier signal instead.
Mounting of Transducers
Seismic Velocity Pickups and Accelerometers
- Are mounted directly to the vibrating part.
Stud Mounting
- Transducer is attached to the measurement surface with a threaded stud.
Epoxy Mounting
- Cementing or epoxy mounting are useful when it is impractical to drill a hole in the mounting surface
Hand-Held without a Probe
- Transducer is held against a reasonably flat surface.
Hand-Held with a Standard 9-inch Probe
- Standard 9-inch probe is a convenient device for reaching out-of-the-way points and for locating the
transducer at a very specific point on the machine.
Magnetic Holder
 - Holder is mounted on a reasonably flat, smooth and clean surface.
Vise-Grip Pliers
- Jaws should be in contact with the mounting surface along their entire length.
Shaft Stick
- It is a hardwood, fish-tailed shaped stick that is outfitted with a stud for attaching a transducer.
The Shaft Rider Accessory
- Used to monitor shaft vibration for extended periods of time.
Guidelines for Transducer Selection
In selecting a transducer, these are the things to consider:
- Choice of measurement parameter – displacement, velocity, acceleration of Spike Energy.
- Frequency range of measurement.
- Sensitivity to size and weight of the transducer, ambient temperature, humidity and others.
- Mechanical characteristics of the machine.
- Mounting conditions.
Selecting a Particular Pickup
- This selection is usually made on the basis of requirements such as temperature range, humidity,
electrical characteristics and environmental factors.
Model 544 Seismic Velocity Transducer
- Low internal impedance and high sensitivity.
Model 560 Piezoelectric Velocity Transducer
- Amplifier limits its ambient temperature range to 120⁰C
Models 960 and 970 Accelerometers
- Useful for Spike Energy, acceleration and velocity measurements.
Model 910 Accelerometer
- It is used with special low noise cable and only when 960 & 970 models are impractical.
CHAPTER 4: VIBRATION ANALYSIS – DATA ACQUISITION
Vibration Analysis
- It is a two-step process involving the acquisition and interpretation of machinery vibration data used to
determine the mechanical condition of a machine.
Data Acquisition
- It is the first step in vibration analysis.
- It requires the ff. steps:
1. Determine the machine’s design and operating characteristics.
2. Determine the purpose for the measurement.
3. Select the measurement parameters.
4. Determine the transducer measurement positions and directions.
5. Select the measurement instruments.
6. Select the measurement transducers.
7. Determine the specific type of data required.
8. Take the measurements.
Machine Design and Operating Characteristics
Machine Characteristics
- A review of machine characteristics such as RPM, type of bearings, gear frequencies,
aerodynamic/hydraulic frequencies, etc. can be helpful in establishing the frequencies of vibration
expected.
Purpose of Measurement
- Routine Periodic Checks – detects machine problems early
- Baseline Measurements – done on a well-balanced, well-aligned, normal operating machine for
comparison
- Pre and Post Overhaul (Repair) Checks – tells which machines need overhaul and/or repair.
- Machine Troubleshooting – determines the cause of poor finish, chatter marks or out-of-tolerance parts.
Selection of Measurement Parameters
- Displacement – can be measured with both velocity and acceleration pickups.
- Velocity – can also be measured with both velocity and acceleration pickups.
- Acceleration and Spike Energy – can be measured only with an accelerometer.
Selection of Transducer Measurement Positions and Directions
- Transducers should be placed on or as near as possible to the machine’s bearings.
- Vibration should be measure in various directions such as horizontal, vertical and axial.
Selection of Measurement Instruments
- Depends upon matching the capability of the instrument to the purpose of the measurement and the
requirements of the individual application.
- Vibration Meters – small, hand-held battery operated instruments used for quickly obtaining vibration
measurements normally consists of a pickup, cable and meter.
1. Simple Meter – reads only displacement and/or velocity.
2. Advanced Meter – reads displacement, velocity, acceleration and Spike Energy.
3. Combination Meter – combines features for measuring other parameters.
4. Data Collector – has microprocessor programming capability which can be programmed to
measure and store large amounts of vibration data in a variety of parameters.
- Vibration Analyzers – categorized into “Advanced Check” and “Full Capability”
- Other Instruments include:
1. Oscilloscopes
2. Earphones
 3. High-Speed Recorders
4. DC Recorders
5. Tape Recorders
Selection of Measurement Transducers
- This selection should be made with some care and thought as to the types of defects to be detected,
frequency range involved, required location of the transducer and others.
Determination of Data Required
- Overall measurements – provide a quick check of general machinery condition.
- Amplitude vs. Frequency – provides a frequency spectrum which is used to pinpoint the exact problem
- Amplitude vs. Time – detects vibrations that would not be apparent from amplitude vs. frequency
analysis.
- Phase Measurements – useful for balancing operations, evaluating alignment, looseness and foundation
problems as well as determining mode shapes.
- Spike Energy – should be observed when evaluating rolling element bearings and faults in gears and gear
drives.
Taking the Measurement
- Things to consider:
o Plan the measurement sequence
o Check out the instrumentation
o Check the placement of the transducers
o Talk with machine operators and maintenance personnel
o Walk around the machine
o Watch for unexpected vibration trends
o Check to see that the data are valid.
o Take adequate data
o Make comparisons with similar machines
- Common Types of Measurement
o Overall Vibration Amplitude Measurements – manually recorded in tabular form, or the data
automatically stored in memory for computer-based automated instruments.
o Amplitude vs. Frequency – can be recorded manually in tabular form
o Amplitude vs. Time – can be taken with a DC recorder connected to an analyzer
o Phase Measurements –require reference pickup
o Slow Motion Measurements – require an analyzer with a strobe light
o RPM Measurements – require an analyzer with strobe light
o Harmonic Identification Measurements – measurement and identification of vibrations occurring at
integral multiples of machine rotating speeds.
o Waveform Measurements – require the use of an oscilloscope or high speed recorder
o Measuring Frequency – can be obtained from the time waveform simply counting the number of
cycles of a vibration that occur over a known time interval.