Section Four

Unbalance

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 4-1
Unbalance
• Objectives
– Describe unbalance characteristics in
• Time
• Frequency
– Identify different types of unbalance
• Spectral data
• Phase data
– Address vertically mounted machines

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 4-1
Unbalance
Defined : The condition of a rotating body where it’s
center of mass is not it’s center of rotation.

Center of Gravity

Rotation

Center of Rotation

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 Unbalance

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 Unbalance

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 4-2
Unbalance
360°

270°

Tachometer and sensor identify the high spot. High spot

defined : the measured response to the heavy spot on the
rotor. Here the measured vibration is highest.

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Phase Lag

• Lag angle
– Between heavy spot and high spot
– CSI measures true phase
• Opposite to rotation from reference mark
– Affecting factors
• 1st. critical frequency
• TS < 1st critical - lag @ 0 degrees
• At or near resonance - lag @ 90 degrees
• TS > 1st critical - lag @ 180 degrees

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Phase Lag

• Why IS there a lag angle ?

– Time for the sensor to respond to the high
spot
• Determining lag angle
– Known mass
– Known location
– Trial weight
– Amplitude and phase data :
• Effect of the trial weight

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 4-4
Unbalance
High Spot
Tach Pick up Heavy Spot
and Sensor

Rotation Reference Mark

Lag Angle

Center of Rotation

HEAVY SPOT is 90° past reference mark

HIGH SPOT is 120° past reference mark
LAG ANGLE is HIGH SPOT - HEAVY SPOT = 120° - 90°= 30° Lag Angle

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Unbalance
Most computerized balancing programs will determine the lag
angle during the balancing process. The concepts of heavy spot,
high spot, and lag angle are important when balancing a rotor.
The high 1xTS vibration occurs because the heavy spot passes
the vibration sensor once per revolution, producing the measured
vibration at the turning speed frequency.
FAULT GUIDE
Vibration Dominant Dominant Phase
Frequency Plane Reading
Unbalance
Static 1xTS Radial Radial in phase
Dynamic 1xTS Radial Radial 0-180 out / 2
plane
Couple 1xTS Radial/axial Radial 180 out
Overhung rotor 1xTS Radial/axial Radial unsteady
Axial in phase

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 4-5
Unbalance
Spectral data : high 1x, low harmonics, axial vibration. If TS < 1st
critical, unbalance amplitude increases proportionally with the
square of speed change.

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Unbalance
Time domain : very sinusoidal, relatively low impacting.

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Unbalance
• Two primary types
– Static
– Dynamic
• Static
– Force
• Single plane correction
• Heavy spot rolls to the bottom
• Place weight 180 degrees off
– Characteristics
• High radial, low axial, low amplitude harmonics
• Phase : 0 degrees shift across rotor

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Static Unbalance

– Caution : With 180 or 0 degree shift system

resonance or misalignment
– Must be corrected before balancing

B A
D C

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Static Unbalance

– The radial vibration readings are the

highest amplitude with the axial vibration
generally much lower in amplitude.
– Phase measurements can provide the data
needed to identify static unbalance.

Heavy spot

Static

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Static Unbalance

• Static unbalance will show a 0° phase

shift across the rotor (vertical to vertical
or horizontal to horizontal) and a 90°
phase shift from vertical to horizontal at
the same bearing location
• The measured phase angle will change
the same amount that the heavy spot
changes, if the system is linear.

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 4-8
Dynamic Unbalance
• Defined : Anything other than static
– Couple, overhung, vertical
– Requires more than one correction plane
– Rule of thumb
• If D/W < 4 two-plane is required

W
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 4-9
Static vs. Dynamic vs. Couple
• Dynamic : a result of
– Two unequal heavy spots 180° apart in
separate planes on the same rotor. Phase
is likely to be 180° across the rotor, but the
amplitudes will differ since the amount of
the heavy spots differ.

Heavy spot Unequal Heavy spots Equal heavy spots

Static Dynamic Couple

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Static vs. Dynamic vs. Couple
– Two equal or unequal heavy spots in
separate planes on the same rotor located
at some spacing other than 180° apart.
The amplitude and phase will be related to
the location and the amounts of the heavy
spots.
Heavy spot Unequal Heavy spots Equal heavy spots

Static Dynamic Couple

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Static vs. Dynamic vs. Couple

• Heavy spots equal, 180 degrees apart

– Dynamically unbalanced / statically
balanced
– Amplitudes across rotor - similar
– Phase readings - 180 degrees apart
– Special case - Couple Unbalance
• Caution !
– Rotor stays at any position in balance
stand
– Definitely 2 plane correction

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 4-10
Other Considerations
• Overhung rotors
– Statically unbalanced - single plane
– Dynamically unbalanced - two or more
– High radial vibration
– High axial ?
– The KEY -
• Phase data
• Readings the same brg. to brg. - single plane
correction
• If the diameter is less than 4X the width
multiple plane correction

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 4-11
2120 Peak/Phase Balance Lab

– Setup analyzer to monitor the rotor kit.

– Evaluate spectral data for unbalance.
– Monitor and record Peak/Phase data.
– Evaluate the results.

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 4-12
Unbalance - Case Histories

1. 450 HP, 3600 rpm Motor

2. Direct drive, center hung
3. 16 reverse curved blades
4. Problem - mat’l build - up

Vent Blower

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Unbalance - Case Histories

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Unbalance - Case Histories

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Unbalance - Case Histories

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Unbalance - Case Histories

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Unbalance Case #2
• 75-HP, 3600-RPM motor.
• Unit had frequent pump failures.
• Motor had very few hours of run time.
• Vibration analysis was used as a last resort to
determine the problem.
• Data was collected with the motor uncoupled

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Unbalance Case #2
Motor Outboard Horizontal has the highest amplitude

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Unbalance Case #2
1x TS primary amplitude w/little or no harmonics

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 4-18
Unbalance Case #2
As expected, the waveform is repetitive, sinusoidal w/strong
1x TS pattern. It has a fairly high amplitude but lacks
impacting.

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 4-18
Unbalance Case #2
This spectrum is from the MOV measurement point. It’s
amplitude is 6.5x less than the horizontal.

When the motor

was removed
for balancing it
was found that
the foundation
grouting was
cracked

Remember the 3:1

ratio.

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