Test the movement of a mechanical support or a piping system

Prerequisites

  • Use a magnetic mounting base on the reference sensor.
  • Use a sensor cable long enough for your application so you have some distance from the strobe.

Overview

Note: Do not move the CSI 555, just move the reference sensor. Do not change the tuning knob after the initial reference is set.

Procedure

  1. Set the CSI 555 on a tripod.
  2. Connect the vibration sensor to the CSI 555 using a power source, a data collector, or a vibration analyzer.
  3. Mount the vibration sensor on a bearing housing in the vertical direction.
  4. Aim the CSI 555 at the selected reference mark, and turn on the CSI 555.
  5. Adjust the flash rate to running speed, and set the CSI 555 to the LOCK mode.
  6. Using the tuning knob, position the reference mark to the 12 o'clock position.
  7. Mark off the piping system in intervals and note the location of supports or hangers. For example, you could use 6-foot intervals.
  8. Draw a simple diagram on paper.
  9. Starting at the machine end, adjust the CSI 555 to running speed, and use the clock-face method to note the phase reading. For reference, adjust the phase marker to the 12 o'clock position.
  10. Move the vibration sensor to each location, and note the phase reading at each location.
    The phase marking should "walk" around the clock face as you move the sensor. Each time the marking is at or near 12 o'clock, the motion is at or near the maximum and is in phase with the reference point. Each time the marking is at or near 6 o'clock, the motion is at or near the maximum in the opposite direction and is out of phase with the reference point.