Category I – Vibration Analyst
Category I Vibration Analysts are qualified to perform a range of single channel machinery vibration condition monitoring and diagnostic
activities including data acquisition on predetermined routes, machine steady state testing to predefined procedures, and comparison of
readings against pre-established alert settings.
Minimum Recommended Experience: 6 months
Minimum Training Hours: 30 hours
Category I Body of Knowledge/Training Course Topics:
Subject:
Vibration Principles: (6 hours)
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Basic motion
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Instrumentation (and acquire readings)
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FFT Application
Condition Monitoring: (4 hours)
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Vibration Severity
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Basic Spectrum Analysis
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Test Procedures
Equipment Testing and Diagnostics: (2 hours)
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Process Safety
Fault Severity Determination: (2 hours)
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Levels (Overall, Narrowband, Component)
Field Balancing: (2 hours)
Period, Frequency
Amplitude (Peak, Peak-to-Peak, RMS)
Measurements (Displacement, Velocity, Acceleration)
Units, Unit Conversions
Time Orbital and Frequency Domains
Phase
Natural Frequency, Resonance, Critical Speeds
Shaft and Casing Vibration
Data Acquisition: (6 hours)
Transducers
Sensor Mounting, Mounted Natural Frequency
Test Procedures
Computer Database Upload/Download
Recognition of Poor Data
Vibration System Calibration
Signal Processing: (2 hours)
Recognition of Baseline Variations
Fault Analysis: (4 hours)
Spectral Harmonics and Sidebands
Acceptance Testing: (2 hours)
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Single-plane
Sample questions for Category I, are available for review the Vibration Institute Certification Handbook.
Educational opportunities are available to meet the training hour recommendation and partially prepare for the
Vibration Analyst certification exam. Educational opportunities are available to meet the training hour
recommendation and partially prepare for the Vibration Analyst certification exam at your organization.
Category II – Vibration Analyst:
Category II Vibration Analysts are qualified to perform basic vibration analysis using single-channel instruments according to established
procedures, set-up instruments, and maintain a database of results.
Minimum Recommended Experience: 18 months
Minimum Training Hours: 60 hours (38 hours + VI Category I)
Category II Body of Knowledge/Training Course Topics:
Subject:
Vibration Principles: (2 hours)
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Basic Motion
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Instrumentation (and acquire readings)
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Analogue and Digital; Sampling
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Vibration Severity
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Basic Spectrum Analysis
Period, Frequency
Amplitude (Peak, Peak-to-Peak, RMS)
Measurements (Displacement, Velocity, Acceleration)
Units, Unit Conversions
Time Orbital and Frequency Domains
Vectors, Modulation
Phase
Natural Frequency, Resonance, Critical Speeds
Shaft and Casing Vibration
Data Acquisition: (2 hours)
Transducers
Sensor Mounting, Mounted Natural Frequency
Fmax Acquisition Time
Proximity Sensor Conventions
Triggering
Test Planning
Test Procedures
Recognition of Poor Data
Vibration System Calibration
Signal Processing: (4 hours)
FFT Application
Windows (Uniform, Hanning, Flat-top)
Filters (Low pass, High Pass, Band Pass, Tracking)
Anti-aliasing
Band-width, Resolution
Noise Reduction
Averaging (Linear, Synchronous Time, Exponential)
Dynamic Range
Run-out Compensation
Condition Monitoring: (2 hours)
Alarm Set-up (Narrowband , Envelope)
Baseline Assessments, Trending
Route/Task Planning
Alternate Technologies (e.g. Oil Analysis, Wear Debris Analysis, Infrared Thermography, Motor Current Analysis, Acoustic Emission)
Recognition of Baseline Variations
Alarm and Trip Level Determination
Integrated Health Analysis
Fault Analysis: (6 hours)
Spectral Harmonics and sidebands
Time Waveform Analysis
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Phase Analysis
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Shaft Alignment
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Test Procedures
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Impact Testing
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Relevant International (ISO, IEC), National and Regional Standards
Reporting and Documentation: (1 hours)
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Vibration CM Reports
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Levels (Overall, Narrowband, Component)
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Rotor Characteristics
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Single-plane
Transient Analysis
Orbital Analysis
Shaft Centre-line Analysis
Enveloping
Mass Unbalance
Misalignment
Concentricity Errors
Mechanical Looseness
Rubs
Instabilities
Shaft Bow
Bearing (Rolling Element, Journal) Defects
Electric Motor Defects
Gearbox Defects
Resonance and Critical Speeds
Corrective Action Recognition: (2 hours)
Concentricity
Balancing
Basic Maintenance Action
Lubrication
Acceptance Testing: (2 hours)
Specifications and Relevant Standards
Acceptance Test Reporting
Equipment Testing and Diagnostics: (2 hours)
Forced Response Testing (e.g. Coherence, Transfer Function)
Modal Analysis
Process Safety
Reference Standards: (1 hours)
Machine History Records
Decision Making and Recommend Action
Fault Severity Determination: (3 hours)
Spectrum Analysis
Time Waveform and Orbit Analysis
Severity Charts, Graphs, Formulae
Theoretical Rotor and Bearing Dynamics (1 hours)
Bearing Characteristics
Field Balancing: (2 hours)
Two-plane
Sample questions for Category II, are available for review the Vibration Institute Certification Handbook.
Educational opportunities are available to meet the training hour recommendation and partially prepare for the
Vibration Analyst certification exam. Educational opportunities are available to meet the training hour
recommendation and partially prepare for the Vibration Analyst certification exam at your organization.
Category III – Vibration Analyst:
Category III Vibration Analysts are qualified to establish, direct, and\or perform programs for condition monitoring and diagnostics of machines
including spectral, waveform, and orbit analysis. Category III certified Vibration Analysts shall be qualified to perform minor corrective actions
involving operating deflection shapes, single-plane balancing, and diagnostic testing.
Minimum Recommended Experience: 36 months
Minimum Training Hours: 90 hours (38 hours + VI Category II)
Category III Body of Knowledge/Training Course Topics:
Subject:
Vibration Principles: (1 hour)
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Basic Motion
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Instrumentation (and acquire readings)
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RMS/Peak Detection
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Computer Database Set-up and Maintenance
Period, Frequency
Amplitude (Peak, Peak-to-Peak, RMS)
Measurements (Displacement, Velocity, Acceleration)
Units, Unit Conversions
Time Orbital and Frequency Domains
Vectors, Modulation
Phase
Natural Frequency, Resonance, Critical Speeds
Force, Response, Damping, Stiffness
Instabilities, Non-linear Systems
Mode Shapes
Data Acquisition: (1 hour)
Dynamic Range
Transducers
Sensor Mounting, Mounted Natural Frequency
Fmax Acquisition Time
Proximity Sensor Conventions
Triggering
Test Planning
Test Procedures
Recognition of Poor Data
Vibration System Calibration
Signal Processing: (5 hours)
Analogue/Digital Conversion
Analogue and Digital; Sampling
FFT Computation
Windows (Uniform, Hanning, Flat-top)
Filters (Low pass, High Pass, Band Pass, Tracking)
Anti-aliasing
Band-width, Resolution
Noise Reduction
Averaging (Linear, Synchronous Time, Exponential)
Dynamic Range
Signal to Noise Ratio
Spectral Maps
Run-out Compensation
Condition Monitoring: (2 hours)
Equipment Evaluation and Prioritization
CM Program Design
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Alarm Set-up (Narrowband and Envelope)
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Basic Spectrum Analysis
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Shaft Alignment
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Specifications and Relevant Standards
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Impact Testing
Baseline Assessments, Trending
Route/Task Planning
Alternate Technologies (e.g. Oil Analysis, Wear Debris Analysis, Infrared Thermography, Motor Current Analysis, Acoustic Emission)
Alarm and Trip Level Determination
Procedure Writing (and methods of working)
CM Program Implementation and Management
Integrated Health Analysis
Prognostics
Fault Analysis: (6 hours)
Spectral Harmonics and Sidebands
Time Waveform Analysis
Phase Analysis
Transient Analysis
Orbital Analysis
Shaft Centre-line Analysis
Enveloping
Mass Unbalance
Misalignment
Concentricity Errors
Mechanical Looseness
Rubs
Instabilities
Shaft Bow
Bearing (Rolling Element, Journal) Defects
Electric Motor Defects
Flow Induced Vibration, Aerodynamics and Liquids
Gearbox Defects
Resonance and Critical Speeds
Corrective Action Recognition: (4 hours)
Concentricity
Balancing
Machine Part Replacement
Flow Control
Isolation and Damping
Resonance Control
Basic Maintenance Action
Lubrication
Acceptance Testing: (1 hour)
Acceptance Test Reporting
Equipment Testing and Diagnostics: (2 hours)
Forced Response Testing (e.g. Coherence, Transfer Function)
Transient Testing
Damping Evaluation
Operating Deflection Shapes
Modal Analysis
Torsional Vibration
Axial Vibration and Thrust
Process Safety
Reference Standards: (1 hour)
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Relevant International (ISO, IEC), National and Regional Standards
Reporting and Documentation: (1 hour)
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Machine History Records
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Levels (Overall, Narrowband, Component)
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Rotor Characteristics
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Single-plane
Vibration Diagnostic Reports
Vibration Prognostic Reports
Failure Investigation Report
Decision Making and Recommend Action
Fault Severity Determination: (2 hours)
Spectrum Analysis
Time Waveform and Orbit Analysis
Severity Charts, Graphs, Formulae
Theoretical Rotor and Bearing Dynamics: (2 hours)
Bearing Characteristics
Rotor Dynamic Computation (using approved procedures)
Rotor Dynamic Fault Modeling
Field Balancing: (2 hours)
Two-plane
Multi-plane
Sample questions for Category III, are available for review the Vibration Institute Certification Handbook.
Educational opportunities are available to meet the training hour recommendation and partially prepare for the
Vibration Analyst certification exam. Educational opportunities are available to meet the training hour
recommendation and partially prepare for the Vibration Analyst certification exam at your organization.
Category IV – Vibration Analyst:
Category IV Vibration Analysts are individuals who understand the theory of mechanical vibrations, advanced vibration analysis techniques, and
signal analysis. They shall be qualified to direct condition monitoring programs, perform major diagnostic efforts, and perform and recommend
corrective actions and design modifications.
Minimum Recommended Experience: 60 months
Minimum Training Hours: 130 hours (64 hours + VI Categories III)
Category IV Body of Knowledge/Training Course Topics:
Subject:
Vibration Principles: (2 hours)
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Vectors, Modulation
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Instrumentation (and acquire readings)
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RMS/Peak Detection
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Computer Database Set-up and Maintenance
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•
•
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•
•
Spectral Harmonics and Sidebands
Phase
Natural Frequency, Resonance, Critical Speeds
Force, Response, Damping, Stiffness
Instabilities, Non-linear Systems
Mode Shapes
Data Acquisition: (2 hours)
Dynamic Range
Test Planning
Test Procedures
Vibration System Calibration
Signal Processing: (6 hours)
Analogue/Digital Conversion
Analogue and Digital; Sampling
FFT Computation
Filters (Low pass, High Pass, Band Pass, Tracking)
Anti-aliasing
Band-width, Resolution
Averaging (Linear, Synchronous Time, Exponential)
Dynamic Range
Signal to Noise Ratio
Spectral Maps
Condition Monitoring: (2 hours)
Equipment Evaluation and Prioritization
CM Program Design
Alternate Technologies (e.g. Oil Analysis, Wear Debris Analysis, Infrared Thermography, Motor Current Analysis, Acoustic Emission)
Alarm and Trip Level Determination
Procedure Writing (and methods of working)
CM Program Implementation and Management
Integrated Health Analysis
Prognostics
Fault Analysis: (4 hours)
Transient Analysis
Enveloping
Mass Unbalance
Misalignment
Concentricity Errors
Mechanical Looseness
Rubs
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•
Instabilities
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Shaft Alignment
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Impact Testing
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Relevant International (ISO, IEC), National and Regional Standards
Reporting and Documentation: (1 hour)
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Vibration Prognostic Reports
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Spectrum Analysis
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Rotor Characteristics
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•
Single-plane
Shaft Bow
Bearing (Rolling Element, Journal) Defects
Electric Motor Defects
Flow Induced Vibration, Aerodynamics and Liquids
Gearbox Defects
Resonance and Critical Speeds
Corrective Action Recognition: (6 hours)
Concentricity
Balancing
Machine Part Replacement
Flow Control
Isolation and Damping
Resonance Control
Basic Maintenance Action
Equipment Testing and Diagnostics: (5 hours)
Forced Response Testing (e.g. Coherence, Transfer Function)
Transient Testing
Damping Evaluation
Operating Deflection Shapes
Modal Analysis
Torsional Vibration
Axial Vibration and Thrust
Coupled Torsional and Lateral Vibration
Reference Standards: (2 hours)
Failure Investigation Report
Decision Making and Recommend Action
Expert Witness
Fault Severity Determination: (2 hours)
Time Waveform and Orbit Analysis
Severity Charts, Graphs, Formulae
Theoretical Rotor and Bearing Dynamics: (6 hours)
Bearing Characteristics
Rotor Dynamic Computation (using approved procedures)
Rotor Dynamic Fault Modeling
Field Balancing: (2 hours)
Two-plane
Multi-plane
Balancing Evaluation
Sample questions for Category IV, are available for review the Vibration Institute Certification Handbook.
Educational opportunities are available to meet the training hour recommendation and partially prepare for the
Vibration Analyst certification exam. Educational opportunities are available to meet the training hour
recommendation and partially prepare for the Vibration Analyst certification exam at your organization.