TYPE PREDOMINANT FREQUENCY Note PHASE Cause PHASE CHANGE

Out of
In Phase Phase Remarks High Remarks V-H H-H A-R A-A M1-M2 (A)
unbalance
Static 1x Amplitude varies proportional to square of rotating speed Y N 90 (+30, -30) No change

1.Amplitude varies proportional to square of rotating speed.

2.Perform an operational deflection shape (ODS) analysis to check if couple
unbalance is Axial
Couple 1x present in a system. N Y Radial 180
Dynamic
Axial
Overhung Rotor 1x Can have both static or couple unbalance Radial 90 (+30, -30)
1x dominant bend near shaft centre line Axial
Bent shaft
1x & 2x 2x dominant bent near shaft end Radial A>R No change 180
center of rotation
is at an offset 1.Amplitude varies with the load even at constant speeds
Eccentricity from the 2.Attempts to balance an eccentric rotor often result
geometric in reducing the vibration in one direction, but increasing it in the other radial
centerline 1x direction 0 to 180
Misalignment

1.Primarily subjects the driver and driven

machine shafts to axial vibrations at the 1× rpm frequency. 1.A 180° phase difference will be observed
2.pure angular misalignment on a machine is rare when measuring the axial phase on the
3.Typically, there will be high axial vibration with both 1× and 2× rpm bearings of the two machines across the
Angular 1x, 2x, 3x N Y coupling Axial 180

1.Bent shaft and dominant angular

misalignment give similar FFT spectrums. The
vibrations are visible in both the axial and
radial vibration measurements. In a machine
with a bent shaft, a phase difference will be
1.When the parallel misalignment is predominant, 2× is often larger than 1×. noticed on the two bearings of the same shaft.
2.When either angular or parallel misalignment becomes severe, it can generate In the case of misalignment, the phase
highamplitude difference is visible on bearings across the
Parallel 2x peaks at much higher harmonics (3× to 8×) N Y coupling Radial 180

1.FFT taken in the axial direction will show vibration frequencies of 1×, 2× and 3×
rpm.
2. In the case of a radial sleeve bearing, no vibrations will be observed due to this
cocked assembly. The problem must be accompanied by an unbalance. A radial
and axial vibration will be observed, which results from the reaction of the
misaligned bearing to the force due to unbalance. Balancing the rotor will reduce
vibration levels in both directions.
3.If a misalignment is suspected, but cannot be confirmed after checking for 180 Top-
Misaligned couplings and cocked bearings, then it becomes necessary to investigate for a Bottom
Bearings 1x, 2x, 3x condition known as ‘soft foot’ N Y Axial 180 Side-Side
 Looseness
1.Mechanical looseness is often highly directional and may cause noticeably
different readings when they are taken at 30° increments in the radial direction all
Internal assembly around the
looseness 0.5x, 1.5x, 2.5x bearing housing Radial

Looseness at
machine to base
plate interface 2x, 3x, 4x, 6x Radial vibration at higher harmonics Radial

Structure 1.Phase analysis may reveal approximately 180° phase shift between vertical Phase shall be check on machine foot or base
looseness. 1x measurements on the machine’s foot, baseplate and base itself plate in vertical direction. Radial

Belt Drive Problems

1. Belt defect frequencies are of the sub-harmonic type.
Belt / Sheave
Misalignment 1x driver / Driven Axial

Eccentric Sheaves 1x Radial

Gear Defect
Bearing Defect
Electrical Fault
1.Oil whirl is an oil film-excited vibration. It is known to occur on machines
equipped with pressure-lubricated journal bearings operating at high speeds
(beyond their critical speed).
2. The oil film
is wedged between the shaft and the bearing and should ideally rotate at a speed
of 0.5× rpm. However, some Frictional losses cause the oil film to rotate at
0.42–0.48× rpm.
3. Under normal circumstances, the oil film pushes the rotor at an angle (5 o’clock
if the shaft is rotating CCW
4. Some conditions would tend to generate an oil film pressure in the wedge much
higher than required to just hold the shaft. These conditions can cause an increase
in bearing
wear resulting in the shaft to have lower eccentricity (the shaft center is close to
Oil Whirl / Whip bearing center) causing a reduction in stiffness, oil pressure or a drop in oil
temperature. In these
cases, the oil film would push the rotor to another position in the shaft. The
process continues over and over and the shaft keeps getting pushed around within
the bearing. This phenomenon is called oil whirl
5.Oil whirl can be caused when the shaft has no oil support, and can become
unstable when the whirl frequency coincides with a critical speed. This special
coincidence of shaft resonance coupled with the oil whirl frequency results in a
more severe form of oil whirl called oil whip

Cavitation
Shaft Crack
1.Orbit analysis is a good tool to identify
rubs,The rub causes the orbit to take on
1.The following relationships help to determine a rub. If N is the shaft speed and different shapes. From a number 8 to a full
Nc is the critical speed of the shaft, then a rub will generate frequencies of: circle.
Rotor Rub
1× when N < Nc 2.A full circle orbit may be indicative of a
½ × or 1× when N > 2Nc complete rub in which the rotor fully overs the
⅓ ×, ½ × or 1× when N > 3Nc seal or bearing
0.5x, 1.5x, 2.5x ¼ ×, ⅓ ×, ½ × or 1× when N > 4Nc clearance.
Resonance