Technical Bulletin 02/99

ELECTRIC MOTOR
VIBRATION
by Alex Settimi Sohler BALANCING TYPE OF MACHINE
Technical Manager NORMAL General application machines such as pumps, fans,

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for WEG Australia (N) compressors, crushers, etc
REDUCED Precision machines such as drilling and precision milling
n recent years vibration monitoring has become part of the (R) machines, lathes, etc
maintenance procedure of many firms. On one hand vibration
SPECIAL High precision machines such as grinding and balancing
analysis is a powerful tool for assessing machinery condition (S) machines.
and preventing unexpected failures, on the other hand, TABLE 2: Application of grades of balancing
determining if a motor vibration is within the limits set by
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standards is not as simple as it may seem. If compliance with
standards or benchmarking is the objective of a vibration 2 6
analysis test, it should be carried out in accordance with the
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international standards. IEC 34-14 (AS 1359-50 and
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AS2625) deals with vibration tests and limits for rotating 1
electrical machinery. According to IEC a motor vibration must
be measured at rated voltage, rated frequency, with a virtually
sinusoidal wave form, uncoupled from the prime mover and FIGURE 1: Measuring points
driven load. The keyway must be filled with a half key - either a
full length rectangular key of half height or a half length key of YOU WEG MOTORS ARE
DID OW
full height centred axially in the keyway is acceptable. Vibration KN DYNAMICALLY BALANCED
must be measured in 6 points, which covers the three
FOR LOW VIBRATION
dimensions the machine may vibrate in (see figure 1). The
machine must also be tested in a state of free suspension so Motors can be either statically or dynamically balanced. Moreover
that all external excitations are eliminated. This condition is balancing can be done in 1, 2 or more planes. Since the rotor is a
achieved by suspending the machine on a spring or by dynamic component static balancing is not the best method. On the
mounting in on an elastic base. The three grades of balancing other hand, dynamic balancing machines require substantial
investment. Some companies dynamically balance their motors, but
and respective maximum vibration level are listed in table 1
only a few carry this out at motor rated speed. WEG motors are all
Grade Rated Speed Maximum r.m.s. Values of Vibration Velocity (mm/s)
(rpm) Machines Measured in a State of Free Suspension dynamically balanced by computerised machines in two planes at
56 ≤ Η < 132 132 〈 H ≤ 225 225 〈 H ≤ 400 400 〈 H ≤ 630
or close to motor rated speed, even the large 16 ton rotors. Although
WEG guarantees compliance with grade N, due to the strict quality
N 600 ≤ n ≤ 1800 1.8 1.8 2.8 2.8 control and consistent manufacturing process, most WEG motors
(normal) 1800 〈 n ≤ 3600 1.8 2.8 4.5 4.5 comply with grade R or better. This ensures

600 ≤ n ≤ 1800
R
(reduced) 1800 〈 n ≤ 3600
0.71
1.12
1.12
1.8
1.8
2.8 • reliability in operation

S 600 ≤ n ≤ 1800 0.48 0.71 1.12 • enhanced bearing and equipment life
(special) 1800 〈 n ≤ 3600 0.71 1.12 1.8
• minimum mechanical stress
TABLE 1: Maximum vibration levels as per IEC 34-14. Machines with
shaft height greater than 630mm the limit values should be subject to prior WEG is ahead of the standards to ensure your company also keeps
agreement between manufacturer and purchaser.
ahead of the competition.
To ensure compliance with these vibration levels, motors must
be properly balanced. In fact, vibration is created by forces
arising from uneven mass distribution of a rotating body. The
balancing process aims at improving the mass distribution,
hence minimising unbalanced forces, which can be detrimental
to the equipment. Nevertheless, in the real world, no matter
how good the balancing process is there will always be a
residual unbalance, hence the limits in table 1.

Motor manufacturers usually balance their motors to grade N.

Grade R and S are available on request. Table 2 gives some
guidance on the application of the different balancing grades. FIGURE 2: One of WEG’s computerised balancing machines

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