Wired Vibration Analysis Online Monitoring:

When selecting the right system for your application some key factors should be taken into consideration. Is the area the machine that requires monitoring in a hazardous atmosphere? Or surrounded by fluid? If so then there are few wireless options available and wired Vibration Analysis sensors are likely to be the only option for the application.

Similarly, if the machine is critical as determined by the potential for failures impact of health, safety, environment, quality, and operations and maintenance costs…then again wired Vibration Analysis solutions can be selected if the equipment can meet or exceed the technical requirements. To understand better the technical requirements consider reading our article Vibration Analysis Basics.

Wireless Vibration Analysis Online Monitoring:

When evaluating wireless vibration analysis systems all the same considerations above should be contemplated. Additionally, one should consider:

Network Topology: Is the system being considered a point-to-point or mesh wireless system? Point-to-point systems require direct communication between each sensor and their designated receiver. Mesh wireless sensor systems all sensors to communicate with each other or to communicate with a combination of repeaters and gateways to achieve successful signal transmission.

Communications Protocol: What communications or combinations of communications protocols does the wireless system use? Could this protocol interfere with other signals or processes within the facility? Does the protocol or combination of protocols achieve the desired data transfer requirements?

There are many different types of communications protocols to consider including but not limited to Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low-Energy or BLE, 900MhZ, Cellular, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Controls Systems and more. For Wireless vibration monitoring systems, the newest Bluetooth Low-Energy or BLE standard is by far the best. Bluetooth Low-Energy affords very low power consumption, very high data transfer rate, and very long achievable data transfer distance.

Power Requirements: As with any system it is very important to understand what requirements the system will have for power. In many industrial environment’s 24VDC is common control power and 110/220VAC is common utility power. Consumption is not the only consideration in battery devices but also permanently powered devices like wireless receivers. A new and emerging standard is 5VDC which so happens to be USB port power. This new standard is by far the most universally accepted, deployed, and best option for consumptions.

For battery powered devices like wireless sensors, it is truly a balance of your needs for machine reconnaissance and battery life. Wi-Fi, 900MhZ, Cellular, and Traditional Bluetooth are not battery friendly.

Bluetooth Low-Energy or BLE can achieve 4-6-year battery life with a 3.7V 1/6^th D-Cell Battery and still take 3200 lines of resolution readings 8 times per day. Conversely, the same battery can achieve a 9 month to 1-year battery taking the same resolution readings every 10 minutes.

How Accessibly is your Vibration Analysis Data?

Open Databases: It’s your data… databases should be totally open. You should be able to access your data without worry or penalty as a result of proprietary technology. With our Phantom systems, you can access your database with any SQL or MySQL based software, giving you the option to link them to other software like Scada, Historian, and more.

Are you a developer? Use our vibration monitoring sensors on your own system. We offer APIs for developers to integrate Phantom to their own framework. The architecture of Phantom’s APIs will allow you to access and control an infinite number of sensors and gateways in order to configure alarms and recording times.

What Sensor Types are Available?

It’s not only about Vibration Analysis: while vibration analysis is a powerful tool, it is not the sole indicator of the early stages of failure. It is very important to consider other variables that should be measured like temperature, speed, current, and other process variables like pressure and flow. The latest technology like that found in the Phantom System delivers the widest variety of sensor input types including a wireless general purpose sensor.