Vibration meters measure acceleration, velocity, and displacement of machine vibrations for predictive maintenance and condition monitoring. Calibration verifies sensor sensitivity and frequency response using a reference vibration exciter. Accurate vibration measurement is essential for detecting bearing failures, imbalance, and misalignment before catastrophic equipment damage occurs.
Inspect the accelerometer sensor for damage, cable integrity, and connector condition. Verify the meter display functions correctly, battery is adequate, and all measurement modes (acceleration, velocity, displacement) are selectable.
Mount the accelerometer on the reference vibration exciter alongside the reference accelerometer using appropriate mounting method (stud, wax, or magnetic). Ensure both sensors are securely attached with consistent coupling.
Apply a known vibration level at the reference frequency (typically 159.2 Hz for 1000 rad/s) and compare the meter reading to the reference accelerometer output. This verifies the basic sensitivity (mV/g or mV/ms²).
Test at a minimum of five frequencies spanning the meter's specified bandwidth (e.g., 10 Hz, 100 Hz, 1 kHz, 5 kHz, 10 kHz). Record the meter reading and reference value at each frequency to verify flat frequency response.
At the reference frequency, verify linearity by testing at three vibration levels (low, mid, high) within the measurement range. Calculate the sensitivity error at each level.
Record all data including sensitivity values, frequency response deviations, and amplitude linearity. Issue the calibration certificate with measurement uncertainty and apply the calibration label.
Sensitivity error at the reference frequency must not exceed ±5% of the stated value. Frequency response must be within ±1 dB across the specified bandwidth. Amplitude linearity must be within ±3% across the measurement range.
12 months
The frequency 159.2 Hz corresponds to 1000 rad/s angular frequency, which simplifies the mathematical relationship between acceleration, velocity, and displacement. At this frequency, 1 g of acceleration equals approximately 9.81 m/s² and the velocity and displacement values are convenient round numbers.
The mounting method determines the usable frequency range. Stud mounting provides the widest bandwidth (up to the sensor's resonance). Adhesive and magnetic mounts reduce the effective bandwidth due to compliance in the mounting interface. Calibration should use the same mounting method as field measurements.
Portable vibration calibrators (hand-held exciters providing a known vibration level at a reference frequency) enable field verification of vibration meters. This checks basic sensitivity but not full frequency response. A full laboratory calibration is still required at the specified interval.
CalibrationOS tracks due dates, stores certificates, and generates audit-ready reports.
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