Faults detection and failures prediction using vibration analysis

In industrial applications, the uptime of machines can be enhanced through equipment monitoring. This minimizes the risks of unpredicted failures and consequent plant outages. Since all failure modes can cause an increase in machine vibrations, monitoring this area is the predominant and most widely used method to determine equipment condition, and to predict failures. The objective of this study is to detect faults in rotating equipment with the use of vibration analysis. A motor condition monitoring experiment is set up, and the motor´s operational speed is controlled by an AC motor drive. The vibration of the motor is measured and monitored. The measured vibration data is analyzed using spectrum analysis software and a MATLAB program. The overall vibration level is monitored, the vibration severity is compared with the standard severity table and is used to determine the condition of the motor. The specific natural frequency corresponds with which kind of fault or failure mode is identified. This information provide insight on the condition of the machine.