Long-Term Benefits of Vibration Analysis
Categories: HVAC | Maintenance
Maintaining your commercial or industrial facility is about more than scheduling yearly service checks and fixing equipment. Ensuring the most optimal efficiency is crucial for keeping costs down and performance at its peak.
Predictive maintenance is one of the most valuable ways to handle system maintenance, allowing you to plan downtime and reduce unexpected costs and repairs.
Table of Contents
Predictive maintenance isn’t a single test or a one-time fix, it’s a continuous process of monitoring equipment to anticipate malfunctions, inefficiencies, and potential failures before they occur. In this series of posts, we’ll go in-depth on different types of predictive maintenance techniques to provide you with a full understanding of how to more efficiently maintain your facility. This post will introduce you to vibration analysis, a prevalent predictive maintenance tool that provides numerous long-term benefits for your building.
Introducing Vibration Analysis
Considered one of the top ways to understand internal system components, vibration analysis is a type of predictive maintenance that focuses on monitoring the vibrations of certain rotating machinery like compressors, pumps, and motors.
Since these components experience more wear and tear than stationary parts, analyzing their vibration patterns helps detect early signs of imbalance, misalignment, or deterioration.
Abnormal vibrations can indicate an issue, so this proactive approach gives maintenance teams a good idea of when some of the system’s rotating components require servicing. Without vibration analysis, internal system issues like misalignment, imbalance, looseness, lubrication defects, bearing defects, and electrical defects can go unnoticed and potentially cause failure, leading to safety risks or unplanned downtime.
Equipment that can Benefit from Recurring Vibration Analysis
- Boilers
- Pumps
- Chillers
- Blowers
- Motors Over 10 Horsepower
RBI does not offer vibration analysis on industrial equipment or electrical systems.
Long-Term Benefits of Vibration Analysis
Vibration analysis provides many long-term benefits beyond those of traditional routine maintenance, including:
How Vibration Data is Collected
During vibration analysis, a trained technician strategically places one sensor on multiple points of the equipment in the radial and axial directions to the shaft to capture real-time vibration data.
The sensor measures acceleration, and the collected data is then transmitted to vibration analysts who interpret spectra and waveforms to detect signs of misalignment, imbalance, looseness, lubrication defects, bearing defects, and electrical defects. This process transforms raw data into actionable insights, allowing maintenance teams to address potential issues before they escalate into costly problems and serious safety risks for building occupants.
Recurring Vibration Analysis
Most equipment will perform best when its predictive maintenance follows manufacturer recommendations.
Many manufacturers recommend a monitoring frequency of one to six months to ensure potential issues are detected before they escalate. If there have been frequent problems with a specific piece of equipment, it may be recommended to collect vibration data more frequently.
Additionally, if a machine is noisier than usual, it’s a good idea to schedule a vibration analysis.
Revisiting the Process and Benefits
Vibration analysis is a valuable predictive maintenance technique that provides insights into equipment health without disrupting operations. By detecting early signs of wear and misalignment, it helps reduce maintenance costs, extend equipment lifespan, and prevent unexpected breakdowns.
Vibration data allows for better facility planning, optimized resource allocation, and ensures compliance with industry standards and requirements. Most importantly, vibration analysis enhances reliability and safety by identifying potential failures before they become major issues. With its ability to improve efficiency and prevent costly disruptions, this predictive maintenance approach is a great maintenance option for any facility looking to maximize performance and longevity.
Vibration Analysis with RBI
Choosing the right partner makes all the difference when it comes to maintaining your facility. Our team brings expertise across a wide range of systems, ensuring tailored solutions for your facility. By working with us, you get a trusted partner for all your predictive maintenance needs.
Plus, we integrate vibration analysis into custom maintenance plans that include other advanced predictive maintenance services, giving you a comprehensive approach to building health.
RBI provides vibration analysis for chillers, boilers, pumps, blowers, and motors over 10 horsepower. RBI does not offer vibration analysis on industrial equipment or electrical systems.
Our other predictive maintenance services include:
- Code Compliance
- Refrigerant Analysis
- Spectrographic Analysis
- Eddy Current Tube Analysis
- Advanced Logging & Digital Metering
- Ultrasonic Leak Detection
- Infrared Scanning Thermography
- Megohm/Insulation Testing
- Motor/Pump Laser Alignment
- Refrigerant Management