air fin cooler Vibration switch vs Transmital

[johnthebest]

Hello everyone
in Our project specification, we requested supplying vibration switch on each air fin cooler. so if the vibration exceed the limit set, the fan will stop. However the contractor would like to give proposal for vibration Transmitter instead of vibration switch however It is costlier option but also have below advantages over the vibration switch.

1) Transmitters provides the continuous vibration reading in ESD & same shall be repeated to DCS HMI screen for operator monitoring and alert instead of discrete state by switches (only contact)
2) Transmitters provide improved reliability, availability and operability over switches.
3) Transmitters are less susceptible to malfunction than switches.
4) Transmitters provided better repeatability than switches.
5) Operation downtime for transmitter is less as compared to switches

What are your thoughts?

 

[MJCronin]

In my opinion, you need a vibration Transmitter instead of vibration switch when you need to trend a slowly developing problem.

A vibration switch on a fan cooler lets the operator know that something is loose and things are getting bad fast.

Vibration transmitters would be of use on expensive compressors to both warn of trouble and trend problems for maintenance.

Vibration switches let the plant staff know that something is rapidly coming apart and that the situation requires immediate attention.

But the question you ask is certainly one of judgement ... I would ask the equipment vendor for his help...

MJCronin
Sr. Process Engineer

 

[LittleInch]

All about the experience of your fin fan coolers.

If a failure occurs once a year, then transmitters seem like a good plan so you can monitor it remotely and easily without getting someone every 3 months to go and manually check the vibration.

If it happens once every 10-15 years, then go for the cheaper option.

If a vibration switch fails every 2 years then go for the TX.

I can't see how the cost difference is that much so I would always go for the TX. Data is worth it.

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