A vibration analyzer for use in the field should be rugged, ergonomic (easily held with intuitive controls), and have some degree of modularity (i.e. easily-upgradable software, firmware and hardware components).
Some basic requirements of any good vibration analyzer:
- robust housing (ingress protection rating of IP65 or better)
- carrying pouch (with breakaway shoulder strap for safety)
- lightweight: less than 2 lbs
- dustproof
- water resistant
- expandable (e.g. more memory such as with a Flash Card)
- large VGA screen
- 1 or 2-channel
- icon-based GUI
- FFT
Communications interfaces:
- trigger input
- Ethernet
- USB
- serial connection (RS232)
Abilities:
- cepstrum
- cross-channel phase
- orbits
- order spectrum
- phase
- run-up and coast-down measurements
Other Abilities:
- lubrication measurement (which in turn indicates lubrication and or bearing condition)
Analytical tools:
- cursor types
- machine-specific frequency markers
- signal post processing
Alarms based on:
- ISO10816
- user-defined
Expandability:
- Balancing upgrade
- 2-channel input
A vibration analyzer should come with powerful maintenance software for further evaluation, report generation and archiving
