High vibration is a common problem for motors installed on top of vertical pumps. Its source can stem from a mechanical issue with the pump, motor, or coupling — or even hydraulic forces from the pump. Structural issues involving “reed frequency” resonance often amplify the problem, but effective diagnosis must begin with an understanding of the underlying vibratory forces. Although the general category of vertical pumps includes submersibles, this discussion focuses solely on the ones that most commonly exhibit high vibration conditions — surface-mounted pumps that have the motor bolted to a pedestal on top (Photo).
Mass unbalanceAs with all rotating machinery, the most common vibratory force for vertical pump motors is mass unbalance. Unfortunately, accurate balancing of the rotor in a balancing machine will not eliminate all sources of unbalance for these motors. Often, the top thrust bearing mounts on a carrier hub, which is a clearance fit to the shaft and is locked in place by a shaft nut. This creates unbalance by allowing some variance of the rotating axis in relation to the principal axis of inertia.
On hollow shaft designs, the massive hub that mounts to the top of the rotor is subject to unbalance and eccentric mounting. It may even have moving parts for the anti-reversing ratchet that can add to the problem. The pump shaft on these designs passes through the motor shaft and bolts to the top hub. Mass unbalance will result if the pump shaft and retaining hardware are slightly eccentric.
The type and alignment of the coupling can also cause vibration in vertical pump motors. On hollow shaft designs, the coupling consists simply of the bolts that secure the motor shaft to the top hub. The only flexible element in this drive train is the pump shaft, so any offset or angular misalignment of the pump shaft and hub will produce significant vibratory forces.
An alternate design is to couple the pump shaft and motor at the bottom of the motor. Here, the coupling that supports the weight and thrust of the pump is often solid rather than flexible. This greatly increases the chances for vibration as compared with conventional, horizontally mounted flexible couplings.
Another vibratory force that often affects the kinds of vertical pump motors discussed here is the mechanical action of the pump shaft and impeller. These pumps have long, slender shafts that are susceptible to twisting and bending, so they usually have guide bearings at intervals along the casing to provide stability. Any variances in guide bearing clearances can make the pump shaft “dance” or “whip,” especially on very deep pump applications.
The hydraulic action of the pumpage as it moves through the pump casing and out the discharge is another significant vibratory force that can affect vertical pump motors. The discharge from most of these pumps is horizontal, so the fluid must make a 90° turn — usually at the top of the pump just below the motor. Flow turbulence at this location can be a strong exciting force.
All machines have resonant frequencies due to the stiffness and mass of their structures. Design engineers try to keep these frequencies well above (or below) those of any exciting force by stiffening the structure or adding mass. It’s like tightening a guitar string to raise its pitch, or strumming a thicker string to play a lower note.
Although resonant frequencies are potentially present in horizontally mounted pumps and motors, the base structures of these machines can usually be engineered to withstand them. By contrast, the long moment arm created by a tall motor mounted atop a pump flange makes it difficult to build in the required structural rigidity. Therefore, resonance frequencies may be low enough to coincide with and amplify any vibratory forces that may be present.
To see how this applies to vertical pumps, try holding a simple metal ruler at one end and striking the other. The tone you will hear is the ruler’s natural (or reed) frequency. Like the ruler, a vertical pump motor is attached (to a structure) at one end and free at the other. The stiffness of its supporting mounting flange depends on the foundation, especially on how well the pump is grouted and bolted to that foundation. Of course, the pump that hangs below the mounting flange also has significant mass with its own resonant frequencies, as does the attached discharge piping.
In relation to the whole machine, the flange to which the pump, motor, and discharge piping attach looks pretty small and weak, offering abundant opportunities for resonant frequencies in various ranges. This might be good for making music, but to most maintenance professionals, it sounds like trouble.
Before trying to identify resonant frequencies that may be contributing to vertical pump vibration problems, check and adjust everything that can prevent severe vibration:
Any attempt to solve vibration problems on vertical pump motors should begin with a basic frequency analysis using a portable vibration analyzer. In most cases, a single vibration frequency will be dominant — often at rotating speed. Then, by simple process of elimination, zero-in on the source of the problem.
If rotating speed is the dominant frequency, the problem is not hydraulic forces from the pump. If rotating speed is not the dominant frequency, then neither unbalance nor misalignment is a source of vibration. Conducting a simple bump test can identify the resonant frequencies of the mounted motor. From this point, it is a fairly straightforward process to identify other contributing factors using phase analysis and operating deflection shape (ODS) analysis.
Vibration at 1 × rpm is by far the most common occurrence, so it merits attention. Phase analysis can confirm that the vibration is at 1 × rpm, and amplitude and phase data from various locations on the motor and pump flange can generate a “picture” of the vibratory motion. With ODS analysis, computer software animates the motion based on phase and amplitude vectors (see Figure). Although this can be useful, a pencil sketch with vectors plotted can provide adequate information.
Placement of trim balancing weights in an attempt to reduce vibration can be an important diagnostic step. Convenient locations for the weights are on the coupling hub and the fan at the top of the motor. A resonant condition exists if very small weights significantly change the amplitude and phase vector. If reducing the vibration in one direction (e.g., north-south) causes an increase in the other (e.g., east-west), unbalance is not the primary exciting force — suspect misalignment or a warped pump shaft.
When vibration is not at rotating speed, the process of elimination must consider a number of other possible forces. Basic vibration analysis techniques, although not covered here, can help to isolate the most likely causes. While the motor is usually the focus of attention, the pump, perhaps unseen below the surface, can also generate vibratory forces that will be reflected in the motor vibration.
Even a seemingly simple case of vertical pump motor vibration can take the vibration technician on an analytical journey. By recognizing that resonance, pump generated forces, and the interaction between the motor and the pump shaft can all be contributing factors, the technician can approach the problem objectively, using the process of elimination to solve it. Those who approach the problem unprepared will ultimately only find frustration.
Vogel is a pump and vibration specialist at the Electrical Apparatus Service Association (EASA) in St. Louis. He can be reached at gvogel@easa.com.
