ISO 13373-7:2017

Overview

ISO 13373-7:2017 - "Condition monitoring and diagnostics of machines - Vibration condition monitoring - Part 7" provides practical guidance for vibration-based diagnostics of machine sets in hydraulic power generating and pump‑storage plants (hydropower units). The standard is a field-oriented, step‑by‑step guide for vibration condition monitoring and diagnostic techniques, including process tables, fault tables and real examples to support root‑cause identification of vibration faults.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and purpose: Guidelines for vibration diagnostics of hydropower units (turbines, generators and pump‑storage sets) aimed at condition monitoring practitioners, engineers and technicians.
• Measurement strategy:
  • Emphasis on simultaneous measurement at all bearing planes because hydropower units act as a single dynamic unit.
  • Use both shaft‑relative vibration (non‑contacting proximity probes) and bearing housing vibration (accelerometers/velocity transducers) for complementary information.
  • Install two radial transducers orthogonally per bearing and an axial transducer for thrust bearings where appropriate.
  • Add a phase mark transducer for synchronization and phase reference.
• Instrumentation and frequency considerations:
  • Guidance on suitable transducer types (proximity probes, seismic transducers, accelerometers, velocity sensors) and measurement outputs.
  • Minimum frequency guidance: systems should capture low frequencies relevant to slow‑speed hydropower units (recommendations tied to turbine type: reaction vs impulse).
  • Ensure measurement duration is sufficient to characterize low‑frequency phenomena.
• Diagnostic methodology:
  • Use of diagnostic process tables and fault tables to identify and correlate fault symptoms in vibration signatures.
  • Trending and condition‑based monitoring recommendations, including both periodic (temporary) and continuous (permanent) monitoring approaches.
• Operational parameter correlation:
  • Simultaneous recording of rotational speed, load, head, gate opening, bearing oil temperature and other operational data for reliable diagnosis.

Practical applications and who uses it

• Target users: vibration analysts, condition monitoring practitioners, reliability engineers, maintenance technicians, and plant operators in hydropower and pump‑storage facilities.
• Practical uses:
  • Systematic fault diagnosis after anomaly detection.
  • Planning preventive and predictive maintenance based on trending and fault identification.
  • Commissioning and verification of vibration monitoring installations.
  • Correlating vibration symptoms with hydraulic and mechanical operating parameters to find root causes.
  • Improving protection schemes through permanent online monitoring to prevent catastrophic failures.

Related standards

• ISO 13373 series (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3) - measurement, processing and diagnostic procedures.
• ISO 2041, ISO 13372, ISO 21940-2 - vocabulary and rotor/balancing terminology.
• ISO 17359 - condition monitoring and diagnostics guidance.
• Vibration severity references: ISO 10816-5 and ISO 7919-5 (noted in the standard as under revision/amalgamation into ISO 20816-5).

Keywords: ISO 13373-7:2017, vibration condition monitoring, hydropower units, diagnostic techniques, pump‑storage plants, vibration diagnostics, proximity probes, accelerometers, fault tables.