Vibration Severity Chart

Common Vibration Formulas

Table: Vibration Limits

Balance Condition
Displacement, mils
Peak to Peak
at 1x rpm

Overall Velocity
in/sec Peak
10 - 1,000 Hz

Overall Acceleration, g
Peak
0 - 5,000 Hz

Electric Motors
1,000 - 2,000 rpm

2.0

0.2

0.5

> 2,000 rpm

1.0

0.2

1.0

Vibration Limits

Generators

2.0

0.2

0.5

Centrifugal Fans
< 600 rpm

4.0

0.3

0.5

600 - 1,000 rpm

3.0

0.3

1.0

1,000 - 2,000 rpm

2.0

0.3

1.5

> 2,000 rpm

1.0

0.3

2.0

Vaneaxial Fans

1.0

0.2

0.5

Blowers

1.0

0.3

0.5

Pumps

2.0

0.2

0.5

Centrifugal
Compressors

1.0

0.2

3.0

Cooling Tower
Gearboxes

3.0

0.4

2.0

Reciprocating Engines
Gas or Diesel

5.0

1.0

10.0

Turbines

1.0

0.2

0.5

Gearboxes

1.0

0.4

2.0

Twin Screw
Compressors

1.0

1.0

15.0

Dear Mahmoud:

The above table gives guidelines values for smooth operation. Yet, these values
can be increased depending on the operational conditions.

In general, the ISO 1940 quality grade is the measure of velocity in mm/sec. For
example, the quality grade G6.3, which is commonly used for rotating equipment
like pumps, compressors and turbines, simply means 6.3 mm/sec Peak value to
be used for setting the alarm criteria. Also note that 6.3 mm/sec is equivalent to
0.248 in/sec. Accordingly, the value of 0.25 in/sec can be used, or slightly higher
values depending on the operating conditions and the surrounding environment.