Application Guide to Vibration Monitoring on Vertical Pumps
Using Wired IEPE Vibration Accelerometers
Introduction
Vibration monitoring is a crucial tool for diagnosing and preventing failures in vertical pumps. These pumps are commonly used in industries such as water treatment, power generation, oil and gas, and chemical processing.
Wired IEPE (Integrated Electronics Piezo Electric) accelerometers provide high fidelity vibration data, enabling predictive maintenance and early fault detection.
Common Problems Diagnosed Through Vibration Analysis
Vertical pumps experience a range of mechanical and operational issues that can be detected through vibration monitoring, including:
- Misalignment
Improper alignment between the motor and pump can lead to excessive vibration, reducing efficiency and causing premature wear. - Unbalance
Unbalanced impellers or motor rotors create high radial forces, leading to increased vibration levels. - Bearing Defects
Wear, contamination, or lubrication issues can lead to bearing degradation, detected by high frequency vibration analysis. - Resonance Issues
Structural or foundation related resonance can amplify vibration, causing damage to components. - Cavitation
Hydraulic issues such as cavitation produce specific vibration patterns that can be analysed to prevent impeller damage. - Looseness
Loose components or fasteners can generate excessive movement and abnormal vibration signals.
Vibration Sensor Mounting Locations
Proper sensor placement is essential for obtaining accurate and useful vibration data. The key locations for mounting wired IEPE accelerometers on vertical pumps include:
Motor Bearings (Upper and Lower)
Radial and Axial Measurements
Purpose
Detect motor related faults such as imbalance, misalignment, and bearing wear.
Mounting
Sensors should be placed as close as possible to the bearing housings, with one positioned radially and one axially to capture comprehensive vibration data.
Pump Bearings (Upper and Lower)
Radial and Axial Measurements
Purpose
Identify pump bearing wear, unbalance, and shaft related issues.
Mounting
Place accelerometers on the bearing housing, with one sensor in the radial direction and another in the axial direction.
Pump Casing (Middle Section)
Radial Measurements
Purpose
Detect structural vibrations, looseness, and resonance.
Mounting
Securely attach the accelerometer to the pump casing near the middle section of the pump column.
Baseplate or Mounting Structure
Vertical and Horizontal Measurements
Purpose
Monitor foundation related issues such as resonance or looseness.
Mounting
Install sensors on the pump baseplate or supporting structure to detect excessive vibration caused by foundation problems.
