Why Your Machines Need A Vibration Sensor

why machines need a vibration sensor

The ability to monitor, measure, and analyze vibration is very important to many companies and areas of research and development. However, it’s unfortunate that the proper methods of for developing an accurate and repeatable measurement are not always clear to experts who are unfamiliar with the nuances of vibration and test equipment. What’s more, with so many software and instrumentation options to choose from, looking for the best sensors can be a hard task. 

Why Monitor Vibration? 

Vibrations produced by industrial machinery can be used to measure the health of the machinery. These vibration sensors can help you learn the cause and location of any problems, machine condition, and how to expedite any repairs. 

Since the machinery monitoring program records the vibration history, it can allow you to predict problems before any damage occurs. The main types of sensors used include displacement sensors, velocity sensors, and accelerometers. 

1. Displacement Sensors 

These sensors are used to measure internal clearances and shaft motion. They are normally used in low-frequency measurement and to measure low amplitude displacement normally found in sleeve bearing designs. They are not only suitable for mounting non-contact probes, but also for rolling element bearing machine designs. 

2. Velocity Sensors 

Velocity sensors are used for both low and medium frequency measurement hence are useful for balancing operations and vibration monitoring on rotating machines. As compared to accelerometers, they have lower sensitivity; hence, they are less susceptible to amplifier overloads. Traditional ones normally use a magnetic system and an electromagnetic system to produce the velocity signal. Due to their rugged nature and improved capabilities, they have increasingly become popular. 

3. Accelerometers 

When it comes to vibration monitoring, these are the most preferred motion sensors. Apart from measuring low and high frequencies, they are also available in a variety of application-specific designs. They are also versatile, reliable, unmatched for frequency, and very popular for machinery monitoring. 

How To Choose The Right Vibration Sensors 

With so many different types of sensors to choose from, choosing the right Vibration Sensor for can be a bit hard. However, to ensure that you choose correctly, here are some factors to consider: 

• Sensitivity and Vibration Range - Depending on the operation, the range of operation usually varies. In order to measure the maximum vibration range, it’s very important to specify the sensors. 

• Vibration Frequency - Knowing the frequency span is just as essential as knowing the range. For instance, the frequency span of a slow turning mill will definitely be narrower than a high-speed span. 

• Hazardous Atmospheres - These are environments that contain ignitable fibers, flammable gases, and combustible dust. In order to protect machinery, people, and productivity, you need to have safe accelerometers specifically designed for hazardous areas. 

 Contact with Debris and Chemicals - Since these can interfere with the results, they should be considered as well. To ensure results and performance are not affected by exposure to debris and chemicals, accelerometers with chemical-resistant stainless steel and corrosion should be specified. 

By considering some of these factors, you can make the right decision in choosing the best Vibration Sensor for your requirement.


I hope you enjoyed this blog post about why your business and manufacturing machines need vibration sensors.

Interested in more articles about business machinery and technology?

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