Vibration-based wireless machine condition monitoring system

The use of wireless sensor networks has enabled the process industry to collect a vast amount of hitherto unknown data by making physical monitoring of the underlying processes and equipment practically and economically possible. Wireless communication has led to new applications in the field of wireless process automation which in the past were subjected to economical, physical and technological barriers. One such application is vibration monitoring targeting condition monitoring of equipment with rotating parts. This paper presents a case study where a wireless vibration system is installed on an operational water pumping station in a metropolitan city. The data presented here has identified a potential problem with the ball-bearing of a particular motor in use. In addition, the wireless communication performance is also examined.