Warning limit vRMS: The warning limit indicates that a significant change has already occurred, but the operation can continue. It is necessary to investigate the reasons for the changed vibration condition and eliminate it if necessary. According to DIN ISO 10816-3, if the vibration quantity increase (or decrease) exceeds 25 percent of the upper limit value of the corresponding zone B, the changes must be considered essential, particularly when they suddenly happen. We, therefore, recommend setting the warning limit to 25 percent of the upper limit value of the corresponding zone B higher than the basic value (the basic value is obtained from past operational experiences at this measuring point). The limit should not exceed 1.25 times the upper limit of zone B. As no experience values are available at the beginning, the reference value measured when determining the normal operating state is taken as the basic value.
In this example, the warning limit is defined as follows: Warning limit vRMS = basic value + 0.25 × upper limit zone B Warning limit vRMS = 0.8 mm/sec + (0.25 × 4.5 mm/ Warning limit vRMS = 1.925 mm/sec
Alarm limit vRMS: The alarm limit intends to indicate that further operation may cause machine damage. If this limit is exceeded, immediate measures should be taken to reduce vibrations, or the machine must be shut down. The DIN ISO 10816-3 recommends the limit to be located within zones C or D. Generally, the limit must not break 1.25 times the upper limit of zone C. In this example, the upper limit of zone C is used as alarm limit: Alarm limit vRMS = 7.1 mm/sec
Warning limit aRMS: The operator can use the value of the aRMS vibration acceleration averaged over a frequency range between 1 kHz and 10 kHz as bearing status monitoring. The suggested warning and alarm limits are based on practical experiences. There is no normative specification for limits. To determine the warning limit, 1 m/sec² is added to the measured reference value in the normal operating condition of the machine. A reference value of 0.8 m/sec² is measured for the machine in the example. Warning limit vRMS = basic value + 1m/sec2 Warning limit aRMS = 1.8m/sec2
Alarm limit aRMS: To determine the alarm limit, 2 m/sec² is added to the measured reference value in normal operating condition of the machine. Alarm limit aRMS = basic value + 2 m/sec2 Alarm limit aRMS = basic value + 2.8 m/sec2