Vibration Severity Chart  

 
 
Common Vibration Formulas  

 
 
 Table: Vibration Limits
Balance Condition
Vibration Limits Overall Velocity Overall Acceleration, g
Displacement, mils
in/sec Peak Peak
Peak to Peak
10 - 1,000 Hz 0 - 5,000 Hz
at 1x rpm
Electric Motors
2.0 0.2 0.5
1,000 - 2,000 rpm
> 2,000 rpm 1.0 0.2 1.0
Generators 2.0 0.2 0.5
Centrifugal Fans
4.0 0.3 0.5
< 600 rpm
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
1.0 0.2 3.0
Compressors
Cooling Tower
3.0 0.4 2.0
Gearboxes
Reciprocating Engines
5.0 1.0 10.0
Gas or Diesel
Turbines 1.0 0.2 0.5
Gearboxes 1.0 0.4 2.0
Twin Screw
1.0 1.0 15.0
Compressors
 
 
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.