ASHRAE Journal Supplement - AMCA InMotion - November 2022 - 36

and identify ineffi ciencies requiring
attention. Each of these monitoring
techniques provides long-term benefi
ts to a system.
Vibration sensors installed on a fan motor measure root-mean-square
vibration velocity while monitoring temperature and vibration. Photograph
courtesy of The New York Blower Co.
is to be expected in heavy industrial equipment, as fan
bearings wear or if misalignment occurs, vibration will
increase. Sudden changes in vibration are an early indication
of a mechanical problem. Once vibration exceeds
an established threshold, a remote monitoring system can
alert maintenance personnel. This allows maintenance
technicians to resolve mechanical concerns before the
concerns escalate.
The cost savings associated with a remote-monitoring
program can be signifi cant. Through early detection of
problems, users can prevent equipment from failing,
avoiding hundreds of thousands of dollars or more in
unplanned-downtime and lost-production costs. Meanwhile,
keeping vibration levels in check can extend the
life of equipment, yielding long-term maintenance- and
replacement-cost savings.
Vibration monitoring is just one example of remote
monitoring for axial and centrifugal fans. With airfl ow
monitoring, particle sensors can track the volume of
dirt and debris in an air stream. With power monitoring,
current and voltage sensors can continuously
monitor power inputs to optimize energy consumption
36
2022 AMCA inmot ion
Advantages of Remote
Monitoring
Despite assumptions concerning the
cost of IIoT technology, implementing
remote monitoring often requires
only a minimal additional upfront
cost, but pays for itself by reducing
overall maintenance costs, preventing
downtime, and optimizing fan performance.
Following are a few practical
examples of how remote monitoring
is being used in industrial facilities
and the value it can provide:
Eliminating human error. Traditional
maintenance relies heavily on
manual processes, such as inspection,
measurement, and record-keeping.
By nature, these processes are prone to error: Data can
be incorrectly captured, inspections missed, and results
misconstrued. With remote monitoring, data is continuously
captured and analyzed. This intelligence can be
used to quickly and accurately pinpoint causes of concern
and initiate an appropriate response.
Reducing maintenance and operating costs.
Unplanned downtime and resultant lost productivity as
maintenance technicians scramble to identify and fi x
problems can cost an owner millions of dollars a year.
Remote vibration and temperature monitoring helps to
avoid unplanned downtime by fl agging problems well
before they cause failure and enabling a quick response.
For example, gradual increases in vibration can be an
indicator of uneven dust loading on a fan's impeller.
If left unchecked, uneven dust loading can negatively
impact fan performance and result in premature wear and
unexpected failure. With remote monitoring, users can
see vibration trending upward and respond proactively,
avoiding any major damage to equipment and disruption
of operations.
In addition to lowering maintenance costs, remote
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ASHRAE Journal Supplement - AMCA InMotion - November 2022

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