SIMPLIFIED FIELD BALANCING

One Correction Plane Or Two?

An Application Paper for using CSI FAST Bal II & Ultraspec ICM Balancing Programs
By: Edwin B. Lindskog

Introduction amount of balance runs and time has

passed by, the decision is often made to
This paper discusses a simple but often compromise and accept higher vibration
confusing aspect in the procedures utilized limits. Alternatively, the job may have to
during field balancing. Often the question be started over again, this time defining
is asked at the start of a new balancing job: two correction planes in place of only one.
“Can this machine be successfully
balanced with just one correction plane, or Individuals who wish to avoid the above potential
will it be necessary to apply the use of two frustration will simply set up most all their field
separate correction planes?” The correct balancing jobs utilizing two correction planes.
answer can sometimes be difficult to This procedure however requires that an
determine. additional trial weight run be performed at
additional cost. The decision to do this is not
based on any specific proof or need of this
Current Techniques additional correction plane at the time.

Field balancing technicians have adapted More seasoned analyst/balancing technicians may
their own guidelines or rules of thumb that use an alternative method to determine the number
apply when considering whether to of required correction planes. The technician
perform single or two plane balancing. reviews the 1xRPM phase and amplitude data
Typical of these is the simple diameter to acquired at the machinery vibration measurement
width ratio “rule”. Usually it suggests that points. Calculation and/or graphical analysis of
if the diameter of the rotor is greater than 4 the data then helps to determine the required
times the width, perform single plane number of correction planes needed for the job.
balancing. If the diameter is less than 4 This method is perhaps one of the more accurate
times the width, perform two plane methods because it accounts for the specific
balancing. This 4:1 ratio “rule” has been machinery data that is likely attributed by the
generally regarded as more of a basic unbalance characteristics of the machine.
guideline. However, the problem in this last method is in
computing the phase and amplitude data for 4 or
The 4:1 ratio “rule” has been proven potentially more vibration measurement points.
unsuitable on many occasions. Often this This is often not performed to the high degree of
results in the balancing technician starting accuracy required.
the job over, after a successful correction
or two, followed by many unsuccessful
trim runs that typically improve vibration
on one bearing, while increasing the
vibration on the other. After a significant

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ICM Balancing Programs correction plane would save a substantial
amount of time in the completion of the
Some ICM (Influence Coefficient Method) balancing job.
balancing programs have the ability to provide the 2) The time it takes to perform the balancing
user with estimated or predicted residual vibration procedure often means a substantial loss in
data. This information can be reviewed before production for many facilities. This lost time
any calculated balance weights are installed. may result in severe financial penalties and
Because of this ability, ICM programs with this lost revenues. Each unnecessary balance run
feature can aide the user in determining whether increases downtime and lost production in
one or two (or more) correction planes are many cases.
required to perform a satisfactory balance job. 3) Access to the outboard side of many air-
Many are not aware of this feature, or the handler units as well as other pieces of
powerful and useful information it provides to the equipment is often difficult or almost
balancing technician. impossible without disassembling part of the
machinery cabinet or cutting access holes.
These areas also may or may not contain
You need to know… certain hazardous environmental conditions
making it unsuitable or undesirable for human
The need to know whether the particular balance presence at the time. The more easily
job requires one or two (or perhaps more) accessed correction plane on the rotor may
correction planes can prove most beneficial to the provide the ability to reduce vibration in both
process of performing successful field balancing monitoring planes to an acceptable level.
sessions. Knowing if this were possible prior to the
attachment of any balance weights would
Specific unbalance characteristics and rotor reduce much time, man power, and possibly
stiffness play a major role in determining the resolve some potential safety issues.
number of correction planes needed to perform a 4) A balance job that requires the use of two
successful balancing job. The analyzer with the correction planes will have limited success if
ICM program has the ability to compute the the user has defined only one correction plane.
specific machinery vibration data and provide the A “couple” unbalance characteristic cannot be
user with estimated residual vibration data. The corrected by placement of correction weight
user then views this information and decides if on only one plane of the rotor. Many
these predicted residual values would be compromises are ultimately made because the
acceptable for this machine. If not, the user can technician could not reduce the vibration in
then define an additional correction plane(s) and one monitoring plane without increasing the
continue on with the next trial weight run without vibration in an other. A second defined
loosing any previous balancing data or time. correction plane would have avoided these
compromises.
5) Somebody’s reputation is at stake. The
Consider the following: customer or department leaders are looking to
the balancing technician to provide a precise
1) Many large pieces of rotating equipment and relatively quick turn around time in curing
can not be readily started and stopped without the vibration problem on their troubled piece
a considerable amount of time between of
balance runs. Knowing that the job could be machinery. If there is an obvious competency
successfully performed utilizing only one

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problem, or if the vibration is unable to be reduced as an overhung blower, the following rule
to an acceptable level, they are likely going to take applies: If the highest 1xRPM readings
note of this. Consideration as to who performs the are on the drive side (inboard or “M1”)
next balance job will be carefully thought over. bearing, place the #1 trial weight on the
inlet side of the fan wheel. If the 1xRPM
Other conditions may prove beneficial in usage of vibration is highest on the fan side
this recommend procedure. (outboard or “M2”) bearing, place the #1
trial weight on the backing plate side of
the fan wheel. In either case, this
Two Identical Machines, Two very different becomes the #1 Correction Plane, or
balance jobs. “C1” (see Figure B).
3) Reduce the chances for human error.
Two examples are presented here that show two Make it a habit to physically label the
different situations, even though the fans (Forced correction planes on the machine, “C1”
Draft Fans #1 and #2) are of identical and “C2” with some type of marker. It is
construction. also a good idea to label the angular
location of the trial weight locations on
The #1 F.D. Fan requires the use of only one the rotor, “T1” and “T2”. The time it takes
correction plane to achieve acceptable results in labeling these locations is minimal and
during the balancing process. may help you to avoid some costly
mistakes and confusion later on.
The #2 F.D. Fan is set-up to utilize only one
correction plane at first, just like the #1 F.D. Fan.
The “Estimated Residual Vibration” data viewed
in the ICM Balancing Program indicates that one
correction plane will not reduce the vibration
amplitude within the specified tolerances defined.
The example continues on to show how to define
the second balance plane and complete the job.

Here are some basic ground rules that should to be

applied during these balancing procedures.

1) Always take two radial measurements per

Figure A
bearing, each separated by approximately 90
degrees on the component you are attempting
to balance. For a horizontal fan, this would
mean one vertical and one horizontal reading
on both the inboard and outboard bearing
locations.
2) Unless circumstances don’t permit it, always
place the #1 trial weight on the correction
plane closest to the bearing that has the highest
1xRPM data. This becomes Correction Plane
#1 or “C1”, (see Figure A). Exception, if the
machine is of an overhung configuration such

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 Start of Balance Job, F.D. #1 Fan

1) Define the balance job as usual.

Figure B

#1 Forced Draft Fan

The 1xRPM vibration amplitudes and phase

readings were acquired on both the inboard (drive
side) and outboard (fan side) bearings in the
horizontal and vertical directions. The “M1” and
“M2” signify the measurement planes.
2) Enter the following information:
The “C1” signifies the #1 correction plane. This 1 Weight Plane, 2 Measurement
correction plane was defined when the #1 trail Planes, and 4 Measurement Points.
weight, “T1” was placed on the fan. This plane Enter the Tach, Sensor, and
was chosen because the 1xRPM vibration was measurement Point information on the
highest on the inboard (fan side) bearing (see remaining set-up screens as usual.
figure C). Remember the previously mentioned
rule about placement of trial weights?

3) Take the Reference Run data.

Figure C

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4) Here is the Reference Run data for this 7) Here is the Trial Run 1 data for this
machine. machine.

5) Take the Trial Run 1 data. Note: the trial 8) Proceed to the Tolerance Check/Trim
weight is placed on the inlet side of the fan screen after viewing the information in the
wheel because the 1xRPM vibration is Correction Weights screen.
highest on the inboard (drive side) bearing.
This plane has now been defined as “C1”.

9) Press the Enter key for Applied Weight.

6) Enter the trial weight amount and the

angular location in the analyzer as
usual.

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 12) This is the final data for the finished
balance job. All measurement points
are now well below 0.100 in/sec peak.
Also note the phase and amplitude
similarities between the predicted
data and the final data for this job.

This job was very successful in utilizing only one

10) This screen asks for the actual correction plane. It managed to reduce the
correction weight(s) and location(s). vibration in all measurement planes to acceptable
1st press the Page key to review the vibration levels. Two plane balancing doesn’t
Estimated Residual Vibration require two correction planes in this instance.
information (see the note in upper
right side of the screen).
#2 Forced Draft Fan

The 1xRPM vibration amplitudes and phase

readings were acquired on both the inboard (drive
side) and outboard (fan side) bearings in the
horizontal and vertical directions. The “M1” and
“M2” signify the measurement planes. The “C1”
signifies the #1 correction plane. The “C2”
signifies the #2 correction plane. The “C1”
correction plane was defined when that the #1 trail
11) Here is the Estimated Residual
weight “T1” was placed on the fan. While, the
Vibration data for this machine. Note
“C2” correction plane was defined when the #2
that all measurement points show
trial weight “T2” was placed on the fan (see
predicted vibration levels well below
Figure D).
the defined tolerance of 0.100 in/sec
peak. This data indicates this
The machine was initially set-up the same way in
machine can be balanced by utilizing
the analyzer as the #1 F.D. Fan. It was later
only one correction plane. Proceed to
determined after viewing the Estimated Residual
install the recommended correction
Vibration data that this fan couldn’t be balanced
weights in the proper location(s).
within tolerance with the use of one correction
Remember to place the weights in the
plane. A second correction plane was then
defined correction plane, “C1”.
defined. None of the previous balancing data was
lost in this process of defining the second
correction plane. It only took a moment of time to
determine this situation and make the needed
changes in the program.

Figure D

Start of Balance Job, F.D. #2 Fan

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 4) Here is the Reference Run data for this
machine.

1) Define the balance job as usual.

5) Take the Trial Run 1 data. Note: the trial

weight is placed on the inlet side of the fan
wheel because the 1xRPM vibration is
highest on the inboard (drive side) bearing.
2) Enter the following information: This plane has now been defined as “C1”.
1 Weight Plane, 2 Measurement
Planes, and 4 Measurement Points.
Enter the Tach, Sensor, and
Measurement Point information on the
remaining set-up screens as usual.

6) Enter the trial weight amount and the

angular location in the analyzer as usual.

3) Take the Reference Run data.

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 information (see the note in upper
right side of the screen).

7) Here is the Trial Run 1 data for this

machine.

11) Here is the Estimated Residual

Vibration data for this machine. Note
that some measurement points show
predicted vibration levels above
the defined tolerance of 0.100 in/sec
peak. This data indicates this
machine can’t be balanced by utilizing
only one correction plane. A second
8) Proceed to the Tolerance Check/Trim correction plane must be defined.
screen after viewing the information under
Correction Weights screen.

12) Go back to the Job Definition screen

on the main menu.
9) Press the Enter key for Applied Weight.

13) Change the number of weight planes from

10) This screen asks for the actual one, to two weight planes. Press the Enter
correction weight(s) and location(s). key.
1st press the Page key to review the
Estimated Residual Vibration

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14) The following message will occur.
Disregard this warning and press the 17) Here is the Trial Run 2 data for this
Enter key again to continue. Do not machine.
press the Main key to abort. Press
the Enter Key on the remaining
screens and proceed to the Make
Measurement screen.

18) Proceed to the Tolerance Check/Trim

screen after viewing the information
in the Correction Weights screen.

15) Proceed to the Trail Run 2 screen. All

information in the Reference Run and
Trail Run 1 screens have been
retained.

19) Press the Enter key for Applied

Weight.

16) Take the Trial Run 2 data. Enter the

information for the trial weight #2.
Note: this trial weight “T2” is placed
on the backing plate side of the fan
wheel. This plane has now been
defined as the Correction Plane #2, or
“C2”.
20) This screen asks for the actual

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 correction weight(s) and location(s).
1st press the Page key to review the Although this procedure for determining the
Estimated Residual Vibration number of correction planes appears to be a bit
information (see the note in upper tedious on paper, it is actually quite easy and is
right side of the screen). quickly performed in real life situations.
Please give it a try. There is no doubt that there is
some serious value to utilizing this procedure, not
only in time and revenue, but in improved
machinery performance and life as well.

These examples were shown utilizing the CSI

Ultraspec Balance program in the Standard Mode
setting (this mode must be used for this
procedure). The FAST Bal II program from CSI
is virtually the same program and works the same
21) Here is the Estimated Residual way. The CSI, FAST Bal I program is a different
Vibration data for this machine ICM program and does not allow the capability to
utilizing the second correction plane. apply these procedures.
Note that all measurement points
now show predicted vibration levels Other non CSI Influence Coefficient Method
well below the defined tolerance of balancing programs can or may be functioned in a
0.100 in/sec peak. Proceed to install similar fashion as explained here. There is at least
the recommended correction weights 1 TEC-IRD ICM program that provides similar
in their proper locations. Remember useful information.
to place the weights for the correction
plane #1 in the correction plane Please remember, two plane balancing doesn’t
marked “C1”, and the weights for necessarily mean two correction planes are needed
plane #2 in the correction plane to perform a successful field balance job.
marked “C2”.

22) This is the final data for the finished

balance job. All measurement points
are now well below the 0.100 in/sec
peak tolerance defined.

Summary

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