Introduction to

Peakvue

Objectives

To Understand:

1. What Peakvue Is!

2. How it Works!

3. Filter Options
Types of filters available
Calculating the correct filter setting
Filter Guidelines

4. Peakvue Data
Spectrums and Waveforms
Diagnosing Faults

5. Peakvue Versus Demodulation Techniques

6. Acquiring Peakvue Data using the 2120A

What is Peakvue

What is Peakvue?

Peakvue is a technology unique to CSI and means Peak Value

Such as the Peak Value of an impact generated by a bearing defect in a

time waveform - (True Peak Value)

If you have a 21XX analyzer you have the capability to acquire

Peakvue Data

The True Peak Value is obtained by concentrating on Stress Wave

Analysis rather than conventional vibration data.

These stress waves travel further than conventional vibration signals

so a truer indication of fault severity is obtained.

What is Peakvue

What is a Stress Wave?

Stress waves accompany metal-metal impacting. These stress waves

are short-term (fractional to a few milliseconds) transient events,
which introduce a ripple effect on the surface machinery as they
propagate away from the initial event.

If you think of a stone being dropped into a pool of water. The stone is
the initial impact generated by the fault. The effect of the stone being
dropped into the water cause a ripple on the surface of the water which,
spreads over a wide area.
Initial Impact

What is Peakvue

If a bearing has a sub-surface defect (early bearing wear), when a

rolling element passes over the defect it bends the race slightly and
then as the rolling element passes it restores back to its natural state.

This event causes a high frequency (1-50KHz) short duration stress

wave.

This is what Peakvue detects

How Does It Work?

Vibration
Signal

High

Full

Pass

Wave

Filter

Rectify

Digital
Peak

FFT

Impact
Detection

A comparison can be made of the sampling to show how data is

collected through both methods of data acquisition, normal and
Peakvue.

How Does It Work?

The diagram below shows sampling of data using normal data

collection.
Stress wave- this is missed
under normal conditions

Instantaneous Samples

How Does It Work?

The diagram below shows sampling of data using Peakvue data

collection.

Stress wave- this is missed

under normal conditions

Peakvue Samples

How Does It Work?

Peakvue measures the highest amplitude found in a stress waves

(Pk Value) and holds that data

The waveform data is then passed through a high pass filter to

remove the unwanted, low frequencies

Imbalance, Misalignment, Looseness, resonance etc.

This just leaves us with the high frequency impacting data

(Peak) above the machine noise level

The data is then brought back to fundamental frequency. (this

allows analysis of the data to be done quicker and easier)

Filters
Types of filter available
Filter Calculations
Filter Guidelines

Filters Options

One of the key elements in acquiring meaningful peakvue data is the

selection of filters

Selecting the wrong type of filter will result in poor quality data

To much noise filtered through (the spectrum becomes very noisy)

To much is filtered out (The stress wave is not allowed to pass through)

There are two types of filter options in Peakvue, these are:

1. Band Pass Filter

2. High Pass Filter

Each of the filters are designed to remove unwanted data out of the
signal at the appropriate levels

Filter Options - High Pass Filter

High Pass Filters remove all frequencies from the data below the filter
setting but allow the high frequency stress wave to pass through.

All low frequencies

are removed from
the input signal

Stress Wave data is allowed

to pass through the filter

High Pass Filter

Filter Options - Band Pass Filters

Looks for stress waves within a parameter defined by the filter setting.
Frequencies above and below this setting are removed from the data

Data passes
through filter
Data is
filtered out
of the signal

Data is
filtered out
of the signal

Filter Selection

To select the correct filter we need to consider the highest operational

defect frequency that we want to measure/detect. Then select the next
available filter above that frequency

E.g.

Consider a typical motor / pump arrangement. We have:

1 - 4 Pole A.C. Induction Motor
2 - 3 Jaw Coupling
3 - Centrifugal Pump

Typically the highest defect frequency to emit from this machine would
be?
1 - BPFI - Bearing Defect

Filter Selection

4 Pole Motor A.C Induction fitted with bearings SKF 6313

Defect Frequencies (Orders)

FTF - 0.384
BSF - 2.037
BPFO - 3.071
BPFI - 4.929

Typically we would want to see the 10th Harmonic of the BPFI

Highest defect frequency:

(BPFI x 10) x Turning Speed (Hz)
(4.929 x 10) x 25

1232.3 Hz

We would then select the next available filter setting above the frequency

Available filters

High Pass Filters

Band Pass Filters

500hz

20hz 150hz

1000hz

50hz 300hz

2000hz

100hz 600hz

5000hz

500hz 1khz

10000hz

20000hz

From our previous calculation of 1232Hz, What filter setting would we select?

Note: the meter will only allow you to select the next
filter above the specified Fmax.

Filter uses (Band Pass) - Guidelines

Band Pass Filters

20hz 150hz Felt problems on paper machines

50hz 300hz Certain structural resonance excitation,

modulation of gearmesh in low speed machinery

100hz 600hz Gearmesh modulation in intermediate

speed machinery.

500hz 1khz Gearmesh modulation

Tip: use bandpass filters when the event of interest is the

excitation of a structural resonance, or the modulation of
known frequencies such as gearmesh.

Filter uses (Highpass) - guidelines

High Pass filters

500hz Low speed machinery having <125hz. Bearing & gearing problems

1000hz Intermediate speed machinery (<2000 rpm) with gear mesh <300hz

2000hz Medium speed machinery (<4000rpm) with gear mesh ,600hz

5000hz Machinery up to 9000rpm and gear mesh to 1500hz, Requires attention be

paid to how the sensor is mounted as well as the sensors frequency response.

10000hz High speed machinery with gear mesh up to 3000hz sensor must be
permanently mounted with a frequency response of 3db in the 30kHz or higher
range.

20000hz High speed machinery with gearmesh up to 6000hz. Sensor must be high
frequency and permanently mounted.

Tip: Use highpass filters when the objective is to detect stress

waves which are emitted by metal on metal impacting.

Filter Selection - Question

Consider:

Motor running at a speed of 1000RPM

Driving a fan unit via pulley belts

Fan Speed is 1350RPM

Motor Bearings = SKF 3095 - BPFI 4.855
Fan Bearings = SKF 6210 - BPFI 5.907

Calculate what Filter setting would be required for both the motor
and the fan bearings?

Filters Available:
500 Hz, 1000Hz, 2000Hz, 5000Hz, 10000Hz, 20000Hz. (High Pass)
20-150Hz, 50-300Hz, 100-600Hz, 500-1KHz. (Band Pass)

Filter Selection - Answers

Motor Speed = 1000CPM / 60 = 16.667Hz

Fan Speed = 1350CPM / 60 = 22.5Hz

Motor.

BPFI = 4.855

Defect Frequency = (BPFI x 10) x Turning Speed (Hz)

Defect Frequency = (4.855 x 10) x 16.667

Defect Frequency = 809.18 Hz

Filters Available:
500 Hz, 1000Hz,
1000Hz 2000Hz, 5000Hz, 10000Hz, 20000Hz. (High
Pass)
20-150Hz, 50-300Hz, 100-600Hz, 500-1KHz. (Band Pass)

Filter Selection - Answers

Motor Speed = 1000CPM / 60 = 16.667Hz

Fan Speed = 1350CPM / 60 = 22.5Hz

Fan

BPFI = 5.907

Defect Frequency = (BPFI x 10) x Turning Speed (Hz)

Defect Frequency = (5.907 x 10) x 22.5

Defect Frequency = 1329.07Hz

Filters Available:
500 Hz, 1000Hz, 2000Hz,
2000Hz 5000Hz, 10000Hz, 20000Hz. (High
Pass)
20-150Hz, 50-300Hz, 100-600Hz, 500-1KHz. (Band Pass)

Peakvue Data
Spectrums and Waveforms
Diagnostics Techniques

Peakvue - Spectrum

Here is a typical Peakvue spectra plot.

2. Units should be acceleration
(Very high frequency analysis)
1. Broad band energy
- Filtered Noise

3. Amplitude values are low.

Severity of fault is not
determined in the spectra

This is typically a GOOD spectrum

Peakvue - Spectrum

This is a Peakvue spectrum where high frequency stress waves are

being detected

Notice the Impacts

passing through the
filtered noise

2. Units still in acceleration

(Very high frequency analysis)

1. Broad band energy

- Filtered Noise

3. Amplitude values are low.

Remember severity of fault is
not determined in the spectra

This is indication of a fault developing

Peakvue - Waveforms

Waveforms can be confused with spectrums, as the waveform is only

plotting the peak value and does not show a full wave.
EX 1

0 .6

A1 - E x am ple 1
-D3P Tail Roll Non D/S P e a kv ue
Ana lyz e W av e form
16 -Ma r-01 12 : 03 : 1 4
(P kV ue- HP 50 0 Hz)

2. Peak Value Impacts

0 .5

PK = .05 5 6
LOAD = 1 00 .0
RP M = 80 .
RP S = 1 .3 3

Acceleration in G-s

0 .4

PK(+) = .5 5 99
PK(-) = .03 97
CRE S TF= 1 4.2 5

0 .3

0 .2

1. Filtered Noise Level

0 .1

4. Acceleration
0
as default units
-0.1
0

Rev olution Num be r

3. No Peak Negative Value

Label: E as y

12

Peakvue - Diagnostics

Diagnosing a Peakvue spectrum and waveform is not to dissimilar to

that of conventional data.

However there are a few differences which can be a bit confusing at first,
these are:

1. Do not try to locate 1xTurning Speed, as this is low frequency data and
will be filtered out.
Turning speed should be entered using the conventional spectral data.

2. Multiple harmonics are often present within a spectrum due to the way
peakvue samples the data.
These do not indicate Looseness

3. Spectral amplitudes are always low in amplitude but should not be used
to judge severity. Use the spectrum to diagnose the fault.

4. Waveforms indicate the severity of the problem.

Peakvue - Diagnostics

Continued..

5. Ensure the same filter setting is used in both the spectrum and
waveform.
Potential faults can be missed or overlooked if different filters are used.

6. Cage Defects show up well in peakvue data and is normally an

indication the bearing is under stress.

7. All low frequency faults are removed from the data and will not be seen
in a Peakvue spectrum and waveform
Imbalance, Misalignment, Looseness, Resonance - All Gone.

Peakvue - Diagnostics
1.Spectral data indicating a
defect at 5.463 Orders
3. Very Slow
RPM
2. Impacting also being
detected at 0.6G-s

Peakvue - Diagnostics
4.Fault Frequencies Indicate
a BPFI Defect

Peakvue Amplitudes Rolling Element Bearings

For machines running between speeds of 900 - 3600RPM

recommended guidelines for setting initial warning levels in the
Peakvue time - waveform are as follows:

Alert Value

Fault Value

Inner Race

3.0g's

6.0g's

Outer Race

6.0g's

12.0g's

Rolling elements fault

4.5g's

9.0g's

Cage frequencies

If evident then the bearing is usually under

stress.

Peakvue Amplitudes Rolling Element Bearings

For machines running at speeds <900RPM recommended guidelines
for setting initial warning levels in the Peakvue time- waveform are as
follows:
7
Levels for concern for machines running below 900 RPM

6
Inner race Amplitude (g's)

5.5

Outer race Amplitude (g's)

5.0

4.5

4.4

Rolling elements Amplitude (g's)

4.1
3.9
3.3

3.3

2.9
2.6

3.7

2.7
2.5

2.4
2.2

1.9
1.5

0.5
0.4
0.3

0.2
0.2
0.1
10

0.9
0.7
0.5

35

75

1.2
0.9
0.6

100

2.0

1.9
1.6

1.3
1

1.0

200

300

RPM

400

500

600

700

800

0
900

Acceleration g's

Peakvue Vs
Demodulation

Peakvue Vs Demodulation

What is Demodulation?

This is a technique which concentrates on stress wave analysis, but is

not as effective.

How Does it Work?

Demodulation looks for the ringdown that follows an impact, and tries to
measure how quickly it fades. In order to do this the Time Waveform
has to be manipulated in such away that the waveform data becomes
useless
Less than 1ms
Initial Impact

Ringdown

Peakvue Vs Demodulation

What are the Differences?

Peakvue samples the data much quicker enabling it to catch the very
short duration high frequency stress wave. It then holds that Peak
Value throughout its parameter.

Due to the Analogue filtering system used by Demodulation, results in a

delay in response and the stress wave impact is missed

Demodulation registers

Peak Impact Detection registers

Peakvue Vs Demodulation
The Process!

Standard Demodulation

High

Low

Full

Remove

Pass

Pass

Wave

DC

Filter

Filter

Rectify

Bias

A/D

FFT

Converter

Enveloping Stage

Peak Impact Detection

High

Full

Pass

Wave

Filter

Rectify

Digital

Peak
Impact
Detection

FFT

Peakvue Vs Demodulation

Case Study.

Equipment
A conveyor system consisting of six rolls is driven by a motor/gearbox unit (GMU).
The motor speed is 1500RPM reduced through the gearbox giving the roller
speed to be 98.5RPM

Peakvue Vs Demodulation
Data was collected on each bearing of the conveyor system
Due to the slow speeds Peakvue and Demodulation Filters were both set to
500Hz High Pass using 1600 Lines of Resolution
E x1

0 0.0.016
7
Max Amp
.04 90

P v D - E xa mple 1
P v D - E xa mple 1
E x1
-R1 P Rolle r Be a ring Driv e End (18 -De c -0 1)
-R1 P Rolle r Be a ring Driv e End

Direct Comparison
Demodulation
Spectra
Between the Two
Peakvue Spectra

0 .0 6

0 .0 12
0 .0 5

G-s
in G-s
Acceleration in
PK Acceleration
PK
PK Acceleration in G-s

0 .0 5
Spe
pectrum
ctrum
Ana lyz ee S
c-011 14
14::120:
2:2360
18 -De c-0
.0 450
(Dem
od-0HP
HP
5000 Hz)
Hz )
(P
kV ue-

PK = .12
.02
0 .039
385
LOAD == 1100
00.0
.0
LOAD
97..
RP M == 99
.642
RP S == 11.6
0 .0 2

0 .0 4

0 .0 08

0 .0 1

Peakvue

0 .0 3

0
1 8-Dec -01
1 4: 1 0: 26

0 .0 2
0 .0 04

0 .0 1

Demodulation
1 8-Dec -01
1 4: 1 0: 26

0
0
0

50
50

1 00
00y in Hz
Freque1nc
Freque nc y in Hz
Label: P
ea kv
ue 5 00
P as sP as s
Dem
odulate
d Hz
5 00High
Hz High

1 50
1 50

2 00
2 00

Peakvue Vs Demodulation
E x1

P v D - E xa mple 1
-R1 P Rolle r Be a ring Driv e End

P lot
S pa n

Demodulation
Waveform

Acceleration in G-s

1 .0

1 8-Dec -01 1 4: 22

Peakvue Waveform
-0.2
1 8-Dec -01 1 4: 10

Rev olution Num be r

Acquiring Peakvue
Data
Setting up the 2120A
Creating a Peakvue AP Set

Setting up the 2120A

Peakvue can be accessed from the Analysis Expert options found

among the command keys of the 2120A

There are two ways of acquiring peakvue data within the 2120A

Bearing/Gear Analysis - Peakvue

Preset to acquire Peakvue data based upon the AP set assigned to the
machine

User Setup Option

Allows user interface to define their own parameters

Setting up the 2120A

User Set-up Option

Define the Fmax you wish to go to. Remember the Fmax is going to
define your filter setting.
0 - 30 KCPM = 500Hz High Pass
30 - 60 KCPM = 1000Hz High Pass
60 - 120 KCPM = 2000Hz High Pass
120v - 300 KCPM = 5000Hz High Pass

Lines of Resolution

These have to be good enough to capture the FTF of a bearing, which

would equate to around 15 Revolutions of waveform data.
Number of Revs = Number of lines / Fmax(Orders)
E.g. 800 Lines over an Fmax of 60 Orders = 13.3 Revolutions (Inadequate)
1600 Lines over an Fmax of 60 Orders = 26.6 Revolutions (OK)

Setting up the 2120A

Averages

This has to be set to 1 Average to gain the true peak value.

If you start averaging the data then a stress wave detected in the first average
that is not there in the second will lose its true amplitude when averaged
together.

Units

The default unit for peakvue is Acceleration. Remember we are trying to

detect very high frequency events, well above conventional vibration data.
Acceleration accentuates high frequencies.
Sensor units can be used if using an accelerometer, however CSI recommend
a minimum mounting of a Rare Earth Magnet for data collection

By using the Page Down Button we can toggle through the pages until
we find our Peakvue Options (Page 4 of 4)

We turn Peakvue to Yes

The Pre-filter can now be changed to our required HP Setting

Setting up the 2120

Data collection can now commence.

Check the data once collection has finished

Look for:
Impacts in both spectrum and waveform
Amplitude levels of the Waveform
quality of the data

If a problem is detected you may want to acquire more data with a

different filter setting.

Remember to store the data once the reading has been taken

At least one Peakvue point should be applied to each critical machine to

detect early bearing wear, gearwear or adverse metal to metal contact.

This will need building in the database and adding to the route

Peakvue
Analysis Parameter Setup
Mastertrend and RBMware

Peakvue AP Set up I

1.

Open Database Management

2.

Select Analysis Parameter

Peakvue AP Set up II
1.

2.

Complete the spectrum setup, specifying

Fmax, LOR and averages (1).
Specify the number of parameters - 2

Peakvue AP Set up III

1.
2.
3.

Check, Use Analog pre-processor

Select Peakvue, under the Envelope
Demodulator
Select the filter setting.

Peakvue AP Set up IV

1.

2.

Uncheck, obtain special time

waveform? - As Default units will be
acceleration
Discard all settings when this is
unchecked

Peakvue AP Set up V
1.

2.

Complete Analysis Parameter

specifications, the most important parameter
is the peak to peak waveform parameter.
Ensure unit type is acceleration

Gearbox case study

Diagram

M1

G3

G5

G7

M2
G9

G11

G1

G10

G8

G4

G6

G12

Introduction

The above gearbox had been overhauled in the workshop and

was on its final test run. A vibration signature was taken to
confirm a small knock believed to be coming from the coupling,
and prove the gearbox was OK.

The readings were taken using Peakvue and standard

Vibration Technology on the corresponding points indicated in
the diagram above. The following spectrum where obtained.

Standard Data
M1

The standard spectrum below was taken from G5. Is there a Problem?

M2
G1
G3

G4

G5

G6

G7

G8
G10

G9

G12

G11

PeakVue Data
The Peakvue reading shows distinct energy at 6.941 Hz and
multiple harmonics of this which is the running speed of the
third shaft. The bottom waveform shows clearly a substantial
impacting of up to 12 Gs occurring each revolution.

The fault

The diagram below indicates the location of the suspected gear fault
and was diagnosed as possibly a damaged tooth
Faulty Gear
M1

G3

M2

G5

G7
G9

G11

G1

G10

G12

G8
G4

G6

When the gearbox was re-stripped and examined a cracked

tooth on the gear identified was found.