Vibration Monitoring for Cooling Towers

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Cooling towers are frequent choices for vibration monitoring due to their often critical role in maintaining operational efficiencies. Vibration analysis can be used to improve reliability and extend the lifetime of cooling tower equipment. While cooling towers range from small single-cell units to large multi-cell configurations, any configuration that employs the use of rotating parts requires effective monitoring.
Power Plant Cooling Towers with smoke against a blue cloudy sky

How It Works
The machinery generally consists of three phases: motor, gearbox, and fan. In order to provide maximum reliability, all three phases should be monitored. To accomplish this, accelerometers should be placed at key places on the motor, gearbox, and fan bearings. Typically, vibration sensors are mounted on the bearing surface in either the horizontal, vertical, or axial directions.
diagram showing placement of sensors on an industrial motor and gear box

What We Offer

Accelerometers:
For maximum coverage, six sensors should be used on both the motor and gearbox for a total of 12 sensors per installation.

General-purpose sensors like CTC’s AC102, AC104, AC192, AC194, and TREA330 series sensors rated at 100 mV/g would be recommended for applications over 30 CPM (0.5 Hz):

stainless steel top exit and side exit condition monitoring sensors in standard and compact sizes lined up for size comparison
Low-frequency applications from 6 CPM to 30 CPM (0.1 to 0.5 Hz) should use a 500 mV/g sensor like CTC’s AC133, AC134 or TXFA331 series accelerometers:

Cables and Connectors:
CTC's V Series Viton® Boot Connectors are ideal for use in the wet, caustic environment created by cooling towers. They create an IP68-rated seal with the sensor and are excellent in highly-corrosive environments. CTC recommends using these connectors in conjunction with CTC's CB111 or CB119 FEP jacketed cables.

yellow FEP jacketed cable and orange FEP jacketed cabled, with exposed conductor wires at either end

V Series connectors (V2R, V3N, and V4J) come in 2, 3, and 4-pin options for use with single-axis, biaxial, or triaxial sensors.

three black viton boot connectors for condition monitoring with front and side view

These cables should be connected to a switch box such as the JB110, which is also capable of passing the signal through to a remote monitoring system such as a DCS, PLC, or SCADA System:
JB110 vibration switch box for condition monitoring, with fiberglass exterior, shown with door open

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CTC is the world leader in the design and manufacture of industrial accelerometers and piezo velocity transducers, 4-20 mA vibration sensors, and proximity probe sets, as well as all related mounting hardware, cables and connectors, and junction boxes. Our products enable efficient vibration monitoring for predictive maintenance in a wide variety of industries. Industries served include cement, mining, petrochemical, food & beverage, auto, steel, wind, paper & pulp, power generation, water & wastewater treatment, pharmaceutical, hospitals, bottling, and more. Our mission is to offer the widest variety of accelerometers and vibration hardware products, which are compatible with data collectors and online monitoring systems, as well as the tools for installation.

The CTC product line features vibration analysis hardware for heavy industry. All CTC products are backed by our unconditional, lifetime warranty. If any CTC product should ever fail, we will repair or replace it at no charge.

CTC’s PRO Line offers the world’s most durable and reliable Proximity Probe Sets including drivers, probes, extension cables, and driver enclosures for 24/7 protection of critical machinery in the most demanding industrial environments. CTC PRO Line Proximity Probe Sets are compatible with all major data collectors. PRO Line products are covered by our best-in-class lifetime warranty on material and workmanship.

CTC TMP Line Logo
The TMP line features vibration analysis hardware for research and development. All TMP products are backed by a five-year warranty on materials & workmanship for standard sensors and a two-year warranty for all accessories, cables, connectors, and custom & private-labeled products.

CANCELLATION POLICY:
Stock, built-to-order, and private-label products qualify for free cancellation only if canceled within 24 hours of order entry.

After 24 hours of order entry:

Stock products will be subject to a 25% cancellation fee
Built-to-order and private-label products will be subject to a 50% cancellation fee

Custom products are non-cancellable at any time after the order is placed.

If you wish to cancel an order, please reach out to your CTC sales representative. The timestamp of when your email requesting cancellation was received will be honored for whether or not your request meets the free cancellation window.

RETURN POLICY:
All stock products may be returned for a 25% restocking fee if returned in new and unused condition within 90 days of shipment.

Built-to-order and private-label products qualify for a 50% refund if returned in new and unused condition within 90 days of shipment.

Custom products are quoted and built specifically to the requirements of the customer, which may include completely custom product designs or private-labeled versions of standard products for OEM customers. Custom products ordered are non-cancellable, non-returnable, and non-refundable.

EXPEDITED PRODUCTS CANCELLATION & RETURN POLICY:
All expedited CTC orders are non-cancellable and non-returnable.

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