Symptoms of Vibration Due to

Looseness
1. Generated frequency= Generated Frequency=2*RPM (RPM speed of rotating
object)
2. Horizontal and vertical vibration must be high

Bearings L oose on the Shaft

When a bearing is loose on the shaft, the type of signal generated depends
upon how the unit is installed. If the inner race is turning on the shaft in an
electric motor that is belt driving another unit, the frequency spectra may
appear as imbalance with a high amplitude spectral line at motor speed, as
in Fig. 4-3. However, the time signal may be distorted in some manner. The
time signal may v ary in amplitude, be truncated, contain harmonics, contain
a beat, or the time period may be different at each half cycle. Some of these
characteristics may produce harmonics and other frequencies, such as the
speed of the driven unit. On direct coupled units, if the bearing is turning on
the shaft, the frequency spectra may contain a spectral line at unit speed
and another spectral line a little lower than unit
speed. The lower spectral line is the speed at which the inner race is turning.
The difference frequency or delta F is equal to the unit speed or how fast the
bearing is turning relative to the shaft, as in Fig. 4-9. The time signal will
contain a beat caused by the two frequencies going in and out of phase with
each other.

Bearings Loose in the Housing

When the fourth harmonic of rotor speed is distinctive, the bearing may be loose in
the housing. The data in Fig. 4-10 was taken from a motor running solo. Note the
overall amplitude is only 0.1 IPS, and a serious problem exists. The fourth harmonic
is distinctive, and the second and third harmonics are present. These harmonics
should not be visible with prescribed calibration levels. Caution should be used in
diagnosing bearings that are loose in the housing when a pump has four vanes on
the impeller
because the fourth harmonic may be caused by vane pass frequency. Some press
rolls may also contain the fourth harmonic of speed. This can occur when the roll
has four high places. There are many more examples, i.e. screws that have four
flights, etc. The only way to determine which problem exists is to look at the phase
relationship between the fourth harmonic and the fundamental. If the fourth
harmonic is out of phase or is changing phase, the bearing may be loose in the
housing. If the fourth harmonic is in phase and maintains a constant phase
relationship, the bearing may not be loose in the
housing. Another indication that the bearing is loose on the shaft or loose in the
housing is careful
analysis of bearing frequencies, particularly ball pass frequencies of the outer and
inner races. When calculating bearing frequencies, the rotating unit speed is used.
The normal assumption is that the bearing is rotating at the same speed as the
shaft, and the fixed race is not rotating. These assumptions are wrong in many
cases. The bearing frequencies are actually determined by the relative speed

between the inner and outer races. If either race is turning on the shaft or is loose in
the housing, the bearing frequencies will be less than those calculated. Once again,
care must be used because if
the contact angle is increased, the ball pass frequency of the inner race will
decrease.

Common Forms of Looseness

The more common forms of looseness could start with an increase in the amplitude
of the fundamental and the harmonic content, as in Fig. 4-11. Many unskilled
analysts try to solve these problems by balancing. Such efforts may not be
successful. As the looseness increases, the harmonic content also increases, and
the amplitude of the fundamental and the overall RMS value can actually decrease.
The next stage of looseness could be the appearance of spectral lines at fractional
shaft speed. These spectral lines could occur at 1/2,1/3,1/4, shaft speed, etc.,
depending upon the type and amount of looseness. The author has observed 1/7
shaft speed when the spacer and outer race were switched on
a cylindrical roller bearing. Fractional shaft speed is often generated when the rotor
does something different every X revolution. One example is when the amplitude of
every other revolution is higher, as in Fig. 4-12. If an event such as a pulse is
occurring every third revolution, then 1/3 shaft speed will be present. These events
may not occur each and every revolution. However, they must occur several times
during the averaging process to generate spectral lines at fractional shaft speed.

The amplitudes of these spectral lines can be quite low because they may not be
present in every time period.

3. Loose motor foundation can be detected in a demodulated

current spectrum by an elevated peak at half of the motors
running frequency. If the amplitude of this peak is increasing over
time you should investigate the condition of the motors foundation,
mounting bolts, and shims. Figure 10 is a demodulated current
spectrum from an induction motor powering a pump with possible
loose mounting bolts. When the motor is properly mounted to its
foundation this peak is usually not even visible. Having identified this
peak in a demodulated current spectrum indicates that a thorough
inspection of the motors foundation is warranted. If the condition
worsens the amplitude of the frequency peak will increase.