vibro-meter’s expert articles

Here you will find our latest articles written by our experts on new developments, experiences and case studies.

Sensor Selection Criteria for Low-Frequency Measurements – Part I

TAGS: Casing vibration, Frequency Vibration, Geophone, Hydro vibration, Low-Frequency Vibration, Moving Coil Vibration, Piezo Velocity, Rough Load Zone, Seismoprobe, Vibration, Vibration Nomograph, Vibration Sensor Selection

The physics of low-frequency measurements. In this 2-part series, we examine the pros and cons of various sensors used for making low-frequency measurements. Although the hydro power sector is one of the most common industries where such measurements are required, this is by no means the only industry where such applications are found. The pulp […]

Integrating a machinery protection platform into your plantwide ecosystem

TAGS: condition monitoring, Machinery protection system, VM600 Mk2

Thirty years ago, the phrase “islands of automation” was commonplace. It described instrument and control systems that exhibited very poor connectivity and were thus “islands unto themselves.” What little connectivity existed might consist only of analog 4-20mA outputs or discrete signals from relays. Although the phrase may not be as common these days, the ability to properly connect systems to one another remains a concern.

Uniquely Flexible Hydro Monitoring Solutions

TAGS: Centralized Vibration Monitoring, condition monitoring, Distributed Vibration Monitoring, Generator Air Gap, Generator Magnetic Flux, Generator Partial Discharge, Hydro Condition Monitoring, Hydro Machinery Protection, Hydro Vibration Monitoring, ISO 19283, Machinery protection system, Rough Load Zone

The debate over centralized versus distributed instrumentation architectures has been ongoing for more than 40 years, predating many of those reading this. Nor will it end any time soon. This is unfortunate because it is needless.

Sensor Field Wiring Length Considerations for Hazardous Areas

TAGS: Allowable Capacitance, Allowable Inductance, ATEX Zone 0/1 Wiring, ATEX Zone 2 Wiring, Cable Capacitance, Cable Inductance, Class I Div 1 Wiring, Class I Div 2 Wiring, Condition Monitoring Wiring, Entity Parameters, Field Wiring, Field Wiring Length, Galvanic Isolators, IECEx Zone 0/1 Wiring, IECEx Zone 2 Wiring, Intrinsic Safety, Machinery Protection Wiring, Overspeed, Proximity sensors, Speed Sensing, Vibration Monitoring, Zener Barrier

While it is often acceptable to think of wire as an ideal conductor that simply gets a signal from point A to point B, this is rarely the case for long cable runs. In the real world, appreciable lengths of field wiring will introduce constraints on the signals produced by the sensor and then routed to the monitoring channel.

Speed sensor selection and installation considerations for trouble-free operation

TAGS: Overspeed Detection System, Proximity sensors

Consider the consequences of a “missed” overspeed event on a large steam turbine-generator. In less than a second, the machine can accelerate to speeds that liberate blades from the rotor, puncturing the turbine case and creating enormous damage to not just the machine, but surrounding structures, equipment, and personnel.

Ten questions to ask when considering your next overspeed system

TAGS: Overspeed Detection System

A machine’s overspeed protection system is one of the single most important pieces of instrumentation in terms of the consequences when it fails to act properly. Whether you are an OEM looking to replace your incumbent supplier, or an end user looking to upgrade your current system, here are ten questions to consider as part of your evaluation process.

Managing below the alert level

TAGS: condition monitoring, VibroSight

Supplementing your hardware alarms with the right software alarms is a vital part of a condition monitoring approach that “manages by exception”.

Supporting Your Decisions with VibroSight’s Diagnostic Rule Box

TAGS: condition monitoring, Software, VibroSight

How to simplify machinery fault identification, deliver actionable information to operators as well as machinery specialists, and leverage subject matter expertise across your entire organization?

Turbine Supervisory Instrumentation – a forgotten art?

TAGS: condition monitoring, Machinery protection system, Safety integrity, Turbine Supervisory Instrumentation

Large steam turbines employ a suite of supplementary measurements not found on other types of rotating machines.

VM600Mk2 – No Customer Left Behind

TAGS: condition monitoring, Machinery protection system, VibroSight, VM600 Mk2

When we introduced the VM600 platform 21 years ago, we “broke the mold” by moving away from application-specific modules. The industry paradigm at that time was generally one module for accelerometers, another for velocity sensors, another for proximity sensors, another for thrust, still another for case expansion, yet another for speed, etc.

Machinery protection systems (MPSs) and SIL safety levels – The API 670 perspective

TAGS: API, condition monitoring, Machinery protection system, safety integrity levels, VM600 Mk2

Operational safety within the process industries has always been a priority. As the process sector moved into the computer age, new issues arose as manufacturing plants converted to computer-based control systems (replacing their aging electrical, pneumatic, and electronic controls).

Bridging the gap between machinery protection and condition monitoring

TAGS: condition monitoring, Machinery protection system, VM600 Mk2

A machinery protection system and a condition monitoring system fundamentally fulfill different goals.

VM600^Mk2 “one module does it all” concept explained

TAGS: API 670, design concept, Machinery protection system, VM600 Mk2

Like the VM600, the new VM600^Mk2 system is designed as a centralised system, with a well-thought-out modular structure allowing smart function combinations that enable complex systems to be built from a minimum number of modules.

General API 670 requirements for machinery protection systems

TAGS: API 670, Machinery protection system

The American Petroleum Institute’s standard for machinery protection systems (API Standard 670) is a widely recognised industry standard, used actively by regulators and operators around the globe.

Safety integrity levels for overspeed detection system (ODS)

TAGS: API 670, Overspeed Detection System, Safety integrity, SIL

During normal operation, a turbine’s own speed control system regulates the rotational speed of the machine. However, in the event of a problem with the turbine and/or its control system, an overspeed detection system (ODS) provides an isolated layer of protection that will automatically and immediately initiate a shutdown of the machine should this become necessary. In this way, the ODS increases safety, making it easier to meet regulatory requirements, while reducing operating costs such as maintenance and insurance.

Six benefits of using a scalable overspeed protection system

TAGS: Overspeed Detection System, Proof test interval, Safety integrity, Scalable ODS

Overspeed protection systems play a key role in ensuring the safe operation of machinery in power plants and other critical industrial applications. In the past, ODSs were predominantly mechanical devices but nowadays, most overspeed systems are electronic in nature.

Long proof test intervals for SIL overspeed detection systems

TAGS: Overspeed Detection System, Proof test interval, Safety integrity

Proof testing is a routine action that helps ensure the integrity (SIL level) of a safety instrumented system (SIS) throughout its lifecycle. Long proof test intervals are preferable to short proof test intervals because they reduce unnecessary downtime, especially if the proof testing can be aligned with a machine’s periodic maintenance procedures.

Maintenance and proof test requirements for SIL overspeed detection systems

TAGS: Overspeed Detection System, Proof test interval, Safety integrity

Because the integrity of a safety-related system degrades over time, periodic testing (known as proof testing) is essential in order to detect hidden failures. So it is of crucial importance that all safety instrumented systems (SISs) have a maintenance plan in place to support their ongoing operation.

Five things to consider when selecting configuration software for a machinery protection system

TAGS: MPS configuration software, VibroSight

A machinery protection system (MPS) is a crucial safety element designed to prevent accidents in industrial plants. The purpose of an MPS is to protect critical rotating machinery from catastrophic accidents and operational issues, thereby increasing uptime while reducing maintenance and repair costs.

Proximity measurement systems as speed sensors

TAGS: Overspeed Detection System, Proximity sensors

When it comes to the design and specification of an overspeed detection system (ODS), the selection of the correct speed sensors for each specific application is essential in order to achieve an accurate and reliable measurement of the rotational speed and/or acceleration.

Key aspects to consider when selecting an overspeed detection system

TAGS: API 670, Proof test interval, Safety integrity

According to the API standard 670 for Machinery Protection Systems, an electronic overspeed detection system (ODS) consists of speed sensors, power supplies, output relays, signal processing, and alarm/shutdown/integrity logic. Its function is to continuously measure shaft rotational speed and activate its output relays when an overspeed condition is detected. API 670 defines multiple requirements […]

Overspeed detection system should always be an isolated layer of protection

TAGS: API 670, Overspeed Detection System, Proof test interval, Safety integrity

An Overspeed Detection System (ODS) has one job and one job only – detect an overspeed event and initiate an emergency trip sequence.

Case Study – Is your existing VibroSight® condition monitoring solution up to date?

TAGS: Case study, VibroSight

Many VibroSight® Condition Monitoring Systems have been deployed over the last (10x) years. Because VibroSight is an evolving product, new features and improvements are continuously added to the software.