I. Basis for Air Compressor Main Unit Vibration Standards
The vibration assessment of air compressor main units primarily follows the international standard ISO ISO 20816, “Mechanical Vibration — Evaluation of Machine Vibration by Measurement on Non-Rotating Parts.” This standard categorizes vibration severity levels according to equipment type, operating speed, and installation conditions, providing a unified benchmark for on-site monitoring.
II. Typical Vibration Value Ranges (mm /s RMS)
- Good Condition: ≤2.8 mm /s (applicable to most medium-sized stationary air compressors)
- Acceptable Range: 2.8–4.5 mm /s (monitoring should be intensified, and potential abnormalities investigated)
- Warning Threshold: 4.5–7.1 mm /s (it is recommended to schedule a shutdown to inspect bearings, alignment, foundation rigidity, etc.)
- Critical Level: >7.1 mm /s (severe mechanical failure risk exists; the unit should be shut down immediately)
III. The Role of Vibration Monitoring in Fault Diagnosis
Continuous vibration monitoring can enable early detection of typical faults such as rotor imbalance, bearing wear, coupling misalignment, airflow pulsation, or loose foundation bolts. Combined with spectrum analysis, it can help distinguish the type of fault source, enhance the effectiveness of predictive maintenance, and prevent unexpected downtime and secondary damage.