Analysis

The following procedure gives an overview of the procedure to take in the analysis of vibration frequency spectra.

Predictive Maintenance Procedure

Date:May 28, 1997

Procedure Name: Signature Analysis
Purpose: To provide a routine procedure for analysis of vibration in order to promote understanding of the
relationship between vibration frequencies and their causes.
Activities:
1&
Select the first plot of the machine which will be at the driver outboard and will be an enveloped acceleration
reading. Identify the run speed accurately. If you have frequency information for the machine
ensure that the reference speed is accurate - if not you must change the speed reference before
continuing.
2&
In the envelope spectrum see if any of the generated frequencies coincide with (or are close to) any significant
spikes. Remember that the bearing frequencies may not be completely accurate if the bearing which
has been nominated in the frequency setup has been replaced with an equivalent.
1&
As a rule of thumb:
2&
Ball Pass Frequency Outer Race
Run Speed x No. Of Rolling Elements x 0.4
3&
Ball Pass Frequency Inner Race

Run Speed x No. Of Rolling Elements x 0.6

4&
Cage Frequency

Run Speed x 0.4

5&
Note that this vibration is not necessarily direction specific.
3&
Once a spike at a bearing frequency has been identified you should check the baseline for this type of machine
for the trend. If the trend is deteriorating then further checks are necessary. Be careful that you do
not confuse a run speed harmonic or an electrical frequency with a bearing defect frequency. One
common bearing frequency is just over 3 x run speed for BPOR on a 8 element bearing. The run
speed of an electric motor cannot exceed the electrical speed so harmonics of run speed cannot have
a frequency even slightly more than 3600 cpm (for a 1200 rpm motor) or 5400 cpm (for a 1800 rpm
motor) or 10,800 cpm (for a 3600 rpm motor) - if the spike is even at a slightly higher frequency
then it is likely caused by a bearing defect otherwise it is likely a run speed harmonic or an electrical
frequency. Check the time domain signal for angel fish patterns.
4&
In the single spectrum plot double click on the convert the display to dB(G) (referenced to 0.001 G). Identify
the carpet amplitude in dB(G) - this is the average amplitude (excluding spikes). Identify the
amplitude of the spikes above the carpet level. The following rules of thumb apply to enveloped
acceleration levels in dB(G):
1&
> 20 dB(G) rise in carpet level
under lubrication
2&
10-15 dB(G) spike above carpet
minor marking
3&
> 20 dB(G) spike above carpet
marked race.
5&
If the spectrum shows multiples of run speed then there is an impact every rev of the rotor, with possible
looseness if there are many multiples. If the bearing defect frequencies have sidebands of cage
frequency then there is a FALSE BRINELLING problem. If the bearing defect frequency and
harmonics have sidebands of run speed then there is probably a defect on the inner race. As the
defect deteriorates then the carpet level will rise and the sidebands and harmonics will increase in
amplitude up to a certain amplitude then stop. The carpet level will continue to rise as random
marking occurs around the bearing and may rise to mask the spikes completely.
6&
Move to the velocity spectrum for the same point but with amplitude set to linear. Check to see if there are
any spikes in velocity at the bearing defect, harmonics of the defect and/or sidebands of the defect look particularly for the third and fifth harmonics. If any spike at these frequencies exist then there
is physical spalling of the race. If the amplitude of the spike reaches 1 mm/s then the spalling is
severe.
7&
In the velocity spectrum the following patterns indicate the associated defects:
Dominant
Secondary
Harmonics
Sidebands
Dominant
Defect
Suggested
Frequency
Frequency
of
Direction
Maximum
Dominant
Amplitude @
Frequency
Dominant
Frequency
1x
Nil
Nil
Nil
Radial
Imbalance
6 mm/s
1x
1/2 or 1/3 x
Multiple
Nil
Radial
Looseness
3 mm/s
1x
3x
2 or 3
Nil
Axial
Misalignme
4 mm/s
nt
BPFO / BPFI
1x
Multiple
1x / Cage
Radial
Bearings
0.5 mm/s
7,200 cpm
Rotor Bar
2 or 3
2xLF of RBF
Any
Electrical
5 mm/s
Any
Any
Nil
Nil
Any
Resonance
7 mm/s

Gear Mesh
1x
3 or 4
2x Belt
1x
2 or 3
If there is a significant defect raise a work request.

1x
N/A

Radial
Radial

Gearing
Belts

1 mm/s
5 mm/s