Phase Measurement
Phase Measurement
Phase Measurement
com/Read/26843/phase-analysis-vibration, access
date: November 25th, 2014.
Vibration analysis is mostly a learned skill. It is based 70 percent on experience and 30 percent on classroom training and self study. It
takes years to become a confident and competent vibration analyst. When the analysis is wrong, the recommendations for repair also will
be incorrect. No vibration analyst wants to make the wrong call. In this business, credibility is gained in small steps and lost in large
chunks.
A vibration sensor placed on a bearing housing and connected to a vibration analyzer provides time, frequency and amplitude information
in the form of a waveform and a spectrum (Figure 1). This data is the foundation for vibration analysis. It contains the signatures of
nearly all mechanical and electrical defects present on the machine.
3) Many Fault Types Have Similar Patterns: Because machine rotors rotate at a particular speed, and vibration is a cyclical force,
many mechanical and electrical faults exhibit similar frequency patterns that make it difficult to distinguish one fault from another.
Learning to analyze vibration just takes time. Training courses, technical publications and other resources such as online resources and
commercial self teaching material are available that can improve analysis skills and shorten the learning curve.
There is one diagnostic technique which quickly gets to the source of most vibration problems. It is possibly the most powerful of all
vibration diagnostic techniques. It has been around as long as vibration analysis itself yet hasnt gotten a lot of attention, and its rare to
find good information about the subject. What is this technique? Its called phase analysis.
What is Phase?
Phase is the position of a rotating part at any instant with respect to a fixed point. Phase gives us the vibration direction. Tuning a car
engine using a timing light and inductive sensor is an application of phase analysis (Figure 2).
Figure 4. Absolute phase is calculated between the tach signal and vibration waveform.
Relative phase is measured on a multi-channel vibration analyzer using two or more (similar type) vibration sensors. The analyzer must
be able to measure cross-channel phase. One single-axis sensor serves as the fixed reference and is placed somewhere on the machine
(typically on a bearing housing). Another single-axis or triaxial sensor is moved sequentially to all of the other test points (Figure 5). At
each test point, the analyzer compares waveforms between the fixed and roving sensors. Relative phase is the time difference between
the waveforms at a specific frequency converted to degrees (Figure 6). Relative phase does not require a tachometer so phase can be
measured at any frequency.
Soft Foot
The term soft foot is used to describe machine frame distortion. It can be caused by a condition where the foot of a motor, pump or other
component is not flat, square and tight to its mounting, or many other things, such as machining errors, bent or twisted feet and non-flat
mounting surfaces. Soft foot increases vibration and puts undue stress on bearings, seals and couplings. Soft foot on a motor distorts the
stator housing creating a non-uniform rotor to stator air gap resulting in vibration at two times line frequency.
A good laser shaft alignment system should be used to verify soft foot by loosening the machine feet one at a time.
Phase can be used to identify soft foot while the machine is in operation. Measure vertical phase between the foot and its mounting
surface. If the joint is tight, the phase angle is the same between surfaces. If the phase angle is different by more than 20 degrees, the
foot is loose or the machine frame is cracked or flimsy. Figure 8 is an example of the phase shift across a soft foot.
Figure 8. A phase shift between the foot and mount may indicate soft foot.
Cocked Bearings and Bent Shafts
Phase is used to detect cocked bearings and bent shafts. Measure phase at four axial locations around the bearing housing. If the bearing
is cocked or the shaft is bent through the bearing, the phase will be different at each location. If the shaft is straight and the bearing is
not twisting, the phase will be the same at each location (Figure 9).
approximately 90 degrees, the problem is rotor unbalance (Figure 10). If the phase difference is closer to zero or 180 degrees, the
vibration is caused by a reaction force. An eccentric pulley and shaft misalignment are examples of reaction forces.
Figure 10. Horizontal to Vertical Phase Shift of about 90 Degrees Confirms Unbalance
Looseness, Bending or Twisting
Phase is used to detect loose joints on structures and bending or twisting due to weakness or resonance. To check for looseness, measure
the vertical phase at each mechanical joint as indicated by the arrows in Figure 11. When joints are loose, there will be a phase shift of
approximately 180 degrees. The phase angle will not change across a tight joint.
Many machines vibrate due to deteriorated foundations, looseness, resonance of the support structure and other problems that occur
below the machine bearings. A phase study might include hundreds of test points measured all over the machine and foundation. Good
ODS software can make it easier to analyze phase and magnitude data from a large number of test points. Analysis of an ODS involves
observation and interpretation of the machine in motion. Figure 14 is an ODS structure drawing of a vertical pump.