Basic Concepts

in
Vibration

Basic Concepts
probe

Amplitude

.
SHAFT

Time

Basic Concepts
Time

probe

SHAFT
Amplitude

Basic Concepts
pk

pk
rms

pk

Amplitude of Vibration:

Displacement, mils or microns, peak-to-peak

Velocity, in/sec or mm/sec, peak
Acceleration, gs , peak

Vibration Transducers
What is a Transducer?

Vibration Transducers
What is a Transducer?
. . . is a devise that
converts a physical
measurement to a
proportional electrical
signal

Vibration Transducers
Three Types of Transducers:
Displacement

Transducers

(eddy-current or proximity xducers)

Velocity

Transducers

(Seismic transducers)

Accelerometers

Proximity Transducer System

Proximity Transducer System

gap

-24 VDC Bias Voltage

V
o
l
t
a
g
e

AC signal

DC signal

G a p

(microns)

Velocity Transducer
Spring
Casing

Coil

Magnet

Damping fluid

Cut away view of a Velocity Probe

ACCELEROMETER

ELECTRONICS
COMPONENT
MICA
INSULATOR
CONDUCTIVE
PLATE
ELECTRICAL
INSULATOR

PRELOAD BOLT
MASS
PIEZOELECTRIC
CRYSTAL
BASE
ASSEMBLY

Cut away view of Accelerometer

VELOMITOR

Basic Concepts

omparative Frequency Response

Comparative

Vibration Signal Characteristics

There are five basic signal characteristics that
need to be observed:

Amplitude
Frequency
Phase
Shape & Form
Position

All of them together are used to reach an accurate

assessment of the mechanical condition of a machine

AMPLITUDE
pk

pk
rms

pk

Peak-to-peak refers to the total amount of vibration.

Zero-to-peak refers to the total amount of vibration from the
maximum height of either the positive or negative peak to the
zero voltage axis.
Root mean square (RMS) is a function of the signal conditioning
performed in the monitor or diagnostic instrument and not the
output of the transducer.

Fluid Film Bearing Monitored by

X-Y Proximity Probe Transducers
Radial Vibration
Shaft Centerline
Position
Shaft Attitude Angle
Eccentricity
Shaft Trend Plots
Alignment Along
Shaft

Phase
Phase

is defined as the timing relationship,

in degrees between two or more signals.

relative
absolute

Phase & Frequency from

Keyphasor Reference Signal

0
-V
ONE
REVOLUTION

0
ONE
REVOLUTION

-V

Absolute PHASE LAG

The phase angle is defined as the number of
degrees from the Keyphasor pulse to the first
positive peak of vibration.

VIBRATION
SIGNAL
PHASE
LAG

TIME

KEYPHASOR
SIGNAL
DEGREES
OF
ROTATION

360

Relative PHASE
PHASE
(BETWEEN VIBRATION SIGNALS)

A A
M
P
L
I
T B
U
D
E

TIME
(DEGREES)

PHASE

TIME
(DEGREES)

Deflection Shape

Frequency
Frequency

is defined as the repetition rate of a

periodic vibration within a unit of time.
The frequency of vibration (cycles per minute)
is most often expressed in multiples of rotative
speed of the machine, i.e. 1X, 2X, 3X nX.
Basic frequency measurements can be
performed with an oscilloscope and Keyphasor
signal.

FREQUENCY
TIME/CYCLE

Shape & Form

Vibration

form is the raw waveform

displayed on an oscilloscope and can be
separated into two categories:
Timebase presentation
Orbital presentation

VIBRATION FORM
TIMEBASETIMEBASE an oscilloscope displays the vibration in units of the
transducer (amplitude) versus time horizontally across the display.

AMPLITUDE

TIME

TIME

Orbital Presentation

VIBRATION FORM
ORBIT- is the output of two transducers at 90 angles to one another
(XY plane) in the X-Y mode of the oscilloscope. The orbit is the
representation of the shaft centerline movement.

ORBIT
Shape

Position
Radial

shaft position is a measurement of

the shaft centerline radial position within
the radial bearing.
Derived from the dc information
provided by the proximity system.
Used to determine bearing wear,
misalignment, external preloads and
other malfunctions.

Average Shaft Centerline

(Not Orbit or Polar Plot)
Top

3.0

2.0

*9500

* 9400
*9200
* 8700
* 8000
7600
*
1200
*
* 4500
*500
*5500

1.0

0.0

*300
-1.0

Amplitude 0.20 mils / div

0.0

1.0

X to Y (CCW) Rotation

Thank you!!!