Which Vibration Analyzer Is Right For You?

Vibration analysis is vital in industrial applications for sensing abnormal changes in machinery vibration signatures. Rotating machines, such as compressors, fans, and pumps, vibrate during their operation when functioning properly. Each machine has a baseline vibration signature - a unique pattern across frequencies - that reflects normal operation. Changes in these signature vibrations can be signs of defects in the equipment. This is where vibration analyzers can be beneficial.

Vibration analyzers measure, store, and analyze the vibrations from the device under test (DUT) to determine if there are any potential defects. Keep reading this blog to find out how vibration analyzers work, the difference between physical and software-based devices, and how to choose the right vibration analyzer for your specific testing needs.

How Does a Vibration Analyzer Work?

Vibration analyzers are used as both measurement and analysis tools, and as such can be split into two functions: data collection and data analysis.

Data Collection

These analyzers measure the vibration levels in a plethora of industrial equipment in installations, buildings, and on bridges. They capture vibration information through accelerometers, store it as time-domain waveforms, and process it into frequency domain spectra using Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analysis.

Data Analysis

Once the data is collected, the analyzers can tell the user where the issue is so technicians can fix it. In some cases, vibration analyzers are even advanced enough to color-code important data and provide input on how to solve machinery problems.

Vibration Analyzer Devices vs. Apps

Another important note is that today, there is software that can perform vibration analysis, which can make a specialized device feel redundant. Why would you need a vibration analyzer when an app can perform the same duties? There are a few differences to keep in mind:

• Performance: The first thing to keep in mind is that vibration analyzers are meant for industrial applications where apps are much less accurate. Apps are generally preferable for low frequency applications, such as home appliances.
• Cost: That being said, the cost of an app is significantly less. Depending on the task at hand, an app may be beneficial to save costs. However, this only applies if the app in question is good enough to test the DUT.
• Hardware: Apps are limited to the hardware they are on. This means they are not capable of multi-channel capabilities or offering the necessary durability for high-stress operations as opposed to vibration analyzers that are designed for those situations.

How to Choose the Best Vibration Analyzer

The use cases for vibration analyzers can vary depending on factors including their frequency range, sensor type, data storage and transfer capabilities, etc. ATEC offers a variety of these devices from leading manufacturers such as VibrAlign (ACOEM), Pruftechnik, and Bently Nevada.

The following chart provides a simple comparison of three of our featured vibration analyzers and the top features to take into consideration when choosing. These models are in-stock and available for rent.

Request a rental quote online or call (800) 404-2832 today to get your portable vibration analyzer from Advanced Test Equipment Rentals.