Specifying a Vibration Switch

[ewee]

I am considering the use of a vibration switch on a piece of equipment we manufacture to automatically shut-down when vibration becomes excessive. The equipment has a 25 hp motor with a fan blade direct mounted to the shaft spinning at 3600 RPM. The equipment is used year round therefore ice sometimes builds-up on the fan blades or the fan tips wear over time causing imbalance. The vibration switch has to be weather proof (NEMA 4 or better)and fairly rugged. Should I use a mechanical or electronic switch. My understanding is the electronic piezoelectric type switches are more reliable than the mechanical type. Can anyone recommed a particular manufacturer that provides good support? I am familiar with the following manufacturers Metrix/PMC/Beta, Robertshaw, FW Murphy, Balmac, Wilcoxon, etc. The switch does not need to provide monitoring but rather shut-down, start-up delay and remote reset.

Thanks,


Jeff

 

[sms]

I agree, stay away from mechanical switches. Any of the companies you mentioned can help you out. The only one I might add is SKF condition monitoring, they have some nice switches as well.

-The future's so bright I gotta wear shades!

 

[dgallagher]

Take a look at this electronic single channel vibration monitor. Citgo has several hundred installed on Fin Fans.

http://www.stiweb.com/proddata/cmcp1000.htm