The vibration spectrum is an excellent tool for detecting and diagnosing faults in rotating machinery.  But in truth it only tells part of the picture, whereas conducting a full phase analysis can go a long way in completing the picture allowing us to confirm vibration analysis problems. It is therefore essential that all vibration analysts understand how to correctly measure and interpret phase data.

We’ll begin by explaining how phase readings can be measured using single-channel and two channel vibration analyzers, as well as with a strobe. We’ll then move on to describing a series of fault conditions that can be diagnosed and confirmed with phase analysis techniques.  We will then look at how traditional VA phase techniques can be enhanced by conducting more detailed measurements that allows us to truly visualize how the machine/structure/system is moving, thereby providing evidence for root cause analysis of machine failure modes.

Mr. Dean Whittle is the founder and managing director of Reliability Maintenance Solutions (RMS) Ltd. based in the United Kingdom. During Mr. Whittle’s more than 36-year career he has held various roles in electro/mechanical engineering ranging a five-year apprenticeship through various shop floor/field services roles to district manager for a world-leading supplier of Reliability-Based and Condition-Based Maintenance products and services. During the past twenty-five years he has been committed to implementing plant reliability and condition monitoring improvement programs throughout UK industry; covering power, paper, petro-chemical, pharmaceutical, automotive, quarries, film/plastic, food, electronic, service and engineering manufacturing industries.

Mr. Whittle shares his expertise as an approved trainer for both the British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing (BINDT) and Mobius Institute ISO-18436 accreditation programmes, and as a speaker at a number of conferences.

Additionally, Mr. Whittle is an active member in a number of accredited institutes and committees:

• ISO TC108 / SC5 Condition Monitoring & Diagnostics of Machine Systems
• Mobius Institute Board of Certification (MIBoC) Technical Committee
• The British Institute of NDT Council Member
• The British Institute of NDT Condition Monitoring Technical Committee
• The British Institute of NDT Vibration Analysis Working Group
• British Standards Institute – BSi Technical sub-committee GME/21/5 – Mechanical vibration and shock and Condition monitoring – Vibration of machines

British Standards Institute – BSi Technical sub-committee GME/21/7 Mechanical vibration and shock and Condition monitoring – Condition monitoring.