Frequency Analysis

Frequency
Natural frequency which is indirectly indicative of the
measuring frequency range. In general, a higher natural
frequency allows a larger measuring frequency range of an
accelerometer.
However, the use of vibration analysis in condition-monitoring is
based on three key points:
 A frequency component identifies the basic problem.
 The amplitudes of this component and its harmonics indicate
the severity of the problem.
 Phase relationships are used to distinguish between looseness
and eccentricity(fault diagnosis).
Frequency
 High Frequency Limit is the frequency where the output
exceeds the stated output deviation. It is typically governed
by the mechanical resonance of the accelerometer.

 Low Frequency Cut-off is the frequency where the output

starts to fall off below the stated accuracy. The output does
not "cut-off " but the sensitivity decreases rapidly with lower
frequencies.

 Resonance Frequency is the frequency at which the sensor

resonates or rings. Frequency measurements want to be well
below the resonance frequency of the accelerometer.
Frequency Response
Frequency Response
 Frequency response is the sensitivity specified over the
transducer’s entire frequency range. More properly referred to
as “amplitude response.
 Frequency response is always specified with a tolerance band,
relative to the reference sensitivity. The tolerance band can be
specified in percentage and/or dBs, with typical bands being
±10%, ±1 dB and ±3 dB.
 A dB is defined as:
Frequency Response
How acceleros Frequency response is different from the response
of 2nd order system given in the literature?
Fast Fourier Transform
 A time domain signal is one where the amplitude of the signal is plotted with respect
to the time axis, whereas
 A frequency domain signal is one where the amplitude is plotted with respect to
frequency.
 Fourier transform essentially represents a signal in the frequency domain. If you want
to know the frequency components in your signal, you have to Fourier transform the
signal.

 A normal signal for example unit del(t) is in time domain where you know that at t = 0,
the amplitude of the signal is one. Similarly the Fourier transformed version of del(t) is
one i.e at all frequencies, the amplitude is one!

 So, if you wish to find the amplitude at different frequencies, then you need to take
Fourier transform of that signal!
dB vs Hz
 dB expresses just a ratio between two quantities, which can be physical
quantities or pure numbers.
 Hz is the unit of measurement for frequencies.

 A frequency can be express in dB taking a reference frequency, for example,

1Hz. You could say that the frequency F expressed in dB (that we will call FdB)
is equal to:
 FdB=log (F / 1Hz)

 So to convert a quantity expressed in dB to Hz does make sense only if:

 You already know that quantity represents a frequency
 You know what is the reference frequency w.r.t. your dB value has been
expressed (1Hz in our case)