Axial Position Monitoring

Setting of Thrust Probe Voltage

• Ideally, the center of the
transducer’s linear range should
correspond to the center of the
rotor’s float zone
• But it is difficult to position
rotor in the middle of the float
• So we set the rotor to one end
of the float and set the voltage
correspondingly.
• In this case, center of linear
range is 10.0 V. Float is 16 mils,
half of which is 8 mils. If rotor
moves to one side voltage will
increase or decrease by 8 x 200
mv/mil =1.6 V
• So when rotor is in active side
set voltage to 10 + 1.6= 11.6V
Adjusting the Meter Reading

• First check the

calibration of the monitor
independently using any
DC voltage source
• With rotor in active side
set probe voltage to 11.6
V.
• Adjust the meter zero
pot to bring the reading
to 8 mils ‘normal’.
• If the rotor is now
pushed to the inactive
side the meter should
read 8 mils ‘counter’
Calibration of Axial Position (thrust) Monitor
Setting Alert and Danger Levels

• Hot float zone will be more

than the float measured in
cold
• With +/- 8 mils float the hot
float will be around +/-
12mils
• Set alarm so that some
babbitt will be removed
before alarm actuates –
about 6 mils beyond hot
float or about +/- 18 mils
• Danger or Trip may be set
10 mils beyond Alert or at
+/- 28 mils
 Axial Probe Arrangements
One at end of shaft, One at Thrust disc
• Advantage – If thrust collar becomes loose big difference would
develop between the readings of two probes. Thrust collar probe
would read same, shaft end probe reading would go up.
• Disadvantage – If Thrust Monitor is on ‘voting trip’, it would never
cause a trip even if rotor contacts stator
One Probe at Thrust Collar One at End of Shaft
 Axial Probe Arrangements
Both Probes Looking at End of Shaft
• Advantage – Will always detect changes in axial position of
rotor. If connected to trip will always prevent rotor-stator rub.
• Disadvantage – Will not directly detect looseness of thrust
collar. However, looseness of thrust collar can be inferred
indirectly from the fact that bearing temperature will not go up
even when thrust position reaches alert level

Better
Both probes observing end of shaft
 Axial Probe Arrangements
Two Probes at End of Shaft, One at Thrust Collar
• Best possible arrangement, will not miss anything
• Probe looking at Thrust disc can be used for many purposes
• To detect loose thrust collar
• To confirm bearing wear due to electrostatic shaft current
• To measure and analyze axial vibration

Best arrangement
Dual Axial Probes for Thrust Position Measurements
Dual Thrust Position Voting Logic
Voting Thrust Position with Temperature

• Voting dual thrust position monitors have

very much reduced the occurrence of false
trips due to probe / proximitor / cable faults
• However, some plants have tried to vote
thrust position with bearing temperature
through an external ‘AND’ gate thinking
this would further improve reliability.
• Seems logical but can be dangerous under
following circumstances
Voting Thrust Position with Temperature

• There are several situations when real high

axial position may not be accompanied by
high bearing temperature
1. Loose Thrust Collar – Axial load would not be
transferred to thrust bearing. Bearing temperature
would never increase
2. Electrostatic discharge damage – As babbitt is
slowly eroded shaft would move axially but
temperature would not increase much.
3. Lost temperature indication – this is much more
common than thrust probe or monitor malfunction
Thrust Position V/S Thrust Bearing Temperature
• During thrust bearing failure the thrust monitor would always
give the first alarm before the bearing temperature monitor.
• If thrust position is voted with temperature, in rapid failures, this
delay could mean more serious damage
Thrust Bearing temperature measurement locations
Location of thermocouples on sleeve bearing
Location of thermocouples on tilting-pad bearing