After obtaining vibration data, where is the best place to compare results to determine what condition your equipment falls in. I am interested in a chiller I had inspected. I have been told it is in bad shape but the manufacturer denies that is the case. What can I do?

The Rathbone chart has been around since the 1930s. You could site search for the Balmac company or any of the other balancing equipment companies. I've used Balmac equipment in the field for over ten years and their charts are simple and easy to read.

Don't know what your experience is with vibration, but sometimes the inspector can make things seem worse than it is. I was called to a site once for an "out of balance" condition. Turns out the vibration was due to a loose cover.

I'm not in the field or vibration industry anymore, but if you need some advise feel free to email me direct.

Regards,

kenmcbride@plascoincorporated.com

We have a chart that gives 'acceptable' vibrations ranges for a wide variety of equipment. You can get it by contacting the Technical Associates of Charlotte at 704-333-9011. They call it the 'Illustrated Vibration Diagnostic Chart'.

Chillers are usually recipocating machines making it hard to diagnose problems with vibration alone. I have learned the hard way of having a chiller fail while watching the vibes being normal all the way until it died. I have incorporated refrigerant analysis and oil analysis into my program on chillers with great success. You can use the ARI-700 Spec for your refrigerant and each chiller Manufactor has their own criteria for oil.