All Member Open Forum

We are a Data Center company. Currently have 147 2MW diesel generators. Wanting to develop a vibration program. Does anyone currently perform VA on their generators? Would be interested in what failures you target and any success stories. Thanks, Lee

------------------------------
Lee McClish
Manager, Maintenance and Reliability
NTT Global Data Centers Americas
Ashburn VA
------------------------------

HI Lee
I love Data center Alley!  I was recently told that upwards of 70% of the worlds internet traffic passes through there!
Regarding your initiative, I can share results with you on the reliability improvement and failure modes identified with VIE's wireless PdM solution. I attached a slide i put together for the client, as well as a more formal case study. 
This data center client was having frequent false alarms and the goal was to identify what was causing the alarms and the frequent repairs (they were not resolving the alarms).  They swapped out the sensors w/ the VIE sensors and it was determined that what "looks" like a misalignment in the shaft, was normal for this generator.  They have not had any alarms on this generator in the last year, and it is operating at a healthy state. 
The cooling tower outcome was pretty neat as well.  The quarterly vibration program was not picking up the sporatic periods of "high and intense vibration" so they client installed our wireless sensors.  The issue was the VFD was not properly commissioned to identify the resonant speed. This would be hard to identify on a route based vibration program but the VIE sensors picked it up and reset the VFD. 
Happy to share more if you think it would be helpful.  We are also working with CBRE on a specific initiative to reduce the amount of "touches and PM's" and steer maintenance to "at the right time, for the pre-identified repair). 
This is such a fun space to be and I love seeing improvements via people & technology offering a refreshing and positive change!  Hope this is helpful and enjoy the weekend Lee!
Christine
cwitte@vietechnologies.com
704 221 0055

------------------------------
Christine Witte
VP of Sales
Charlotte NC
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-25-2020 08:23 AM
From: Lee McClish
Subject: Diesel generator vibration analysis

We are a Data Center company. Currently have 147 2MW diesel generators. Wanting to develop a vibration program. Does anyone currently perform VA on their generators? Would be interested in what failures you target and any success stories. Thanks, Lee

------------------------------
Lee McClish
Manager, Maintenance and Reliability
NTT Global Data Centers Americas
Ashburn VA
------------------------------

Thank you Christine for sharing. Good stuff! We don't have a specific vibration issue currently, would like to keep it that way. Generators OEMs haven't seemed to have explored this much. I am working on a business case to justify a program. Thanks, Lee

------------------------------
Lee McClish
Manager, Maintenance and Reliability
NTT Global Data Centers Americas
Ashburn VA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-26-2020 09:22 AM
From: Christine Witte
Subject: Diesel generator vibration analysis

HI Lee
I love Data center Alley!  I was recently told that upwards of 70% of the worlds internet traffic passes through there!
Regarding your initiative, I can share results with you on the reliability improvement and failure modes identified with VIE's wireless PdM solution. I attached a slide i put together for the client, as well as a more formal case study.
This data center client was having frequent false alarms and the goal was to identify what was causing the alarms and the frequent repairs (they were not resolving the alarms).  They swapped out the sensors w/ the VIE sensors and it was determined that what "looks" like a misalignment in the shaft, was normal for this generator.  They have not had any alarms on this generator in the last year, and it is operating at a healthy state.
The cooling tower outcome was pretty neat as well.  The quarterly vibration program was not picking up the sporatic periods of "high and intense vibration" so they client installed our wireless sensors.  The issue was the VFD was not properly commissioned to identify the resonant speed. This would be hard to identify on a route based vibration program but the VIE sensors picked it up and reset the VFD.
Happy to share more if you think it would be helpful.  We are also working with CBRE on a specific initiative to reduce the amount of "touches and PM's" and steer maintenance to "at the right time, for the pre-identified repair).
This is such a fun space to be and I love seeing improvements via people & technology offering a refreshing and positive change!  Hope this is helpful and enjoy the weekend Lee!
Christine
cwitte@vietechnologies.com
704 221 0055

------------------------------
Christine Witte
VP of Sales
Charlotte NC

Original Message:
Sent: 06-25-2020 08:23 AM
From: Lee McClish
Subject: Diesel generator vibration analysis

We are a Data Center company. Currently have 147 2MW diesel generators. Wanting to develop a vibration program. Does anyone currently perform VA on their generators? Would be interested in what failures you target and any success stories. Thanks, Lee

------------------------------
Lee McClish
Manager, Maintenance and Reliability
NTT Global Data Centers Americas
Ashburn VA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 6/26/2020 11:36:00 AM
From: Lee McClish
Subject: RE: Diesel generator vibration analysis

Thank you Christine for sharing. Good stuff! We don't have a specific vibration issue currently, would like to keep it that way. Generators OEMs haven't seemed to have explored this much. I am working on a business case to justify a program. Thanks, Lee

------------------------------
Lee McClish
Manager, Maintenance and Reliability
NTT Global Data Centers Americas
Ashburn VA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-26-2020 09:22 AM
From: Christine Witte
Subject: Diesel generator vibration analysis

HI Lee
I love Data center Alley!  I was recently told that upwards of 70% of the worlds internet traffic passes through there!
Regarding your initiative, I can share results with you on the reliability improvement and failure modes identified with VIE's wireless PdM solution. I attached a slide i put together for the client, as well as a more formal case study.
This data center client was having frequent false alarms and the goal was to identify what was causing the alarms and the frequent repairs (they were not resolving the alarms).  They swapped out the sensors w/ the VIE sensors and it was determined that what "looks" like a misalignment in the shaft, was normal for this generator.  They have not had any alarms on this generator in the last year, and it is operating at a healthy state.
The cooling tower outcome was pretty neat as well.  The quarterly vibration program was not picking up the sporatic periods of "high and intense vibration" so they client installed our wireless sensors.  The issue was the VFD was not properly commissioned to identify the resonant speed. This would be hard to identify on a route based vibration program but the VIE sensors picked it up and reset the VFD.
Happy to share more if you think it would be helpful.  We are also working with CBRE on a specific initiative to reduce the amount of "touches and PM's" and steer maintenance to "at the right time, for the pre-identified repair).
This is such a fun space to be and I love seeing improvements via people & technology offering a refreshing and positive change!  Hope this is helpful and enjoy the weekend Lee!
Christine
cwitte@vietechnologies.com
704 221 0055

------------------------------
Christine Witte
VP of Sales
Charlotte NC

Original Message:
Sent: 06-25-2020 08:23 AM
From: Lee McClish
Subject: Diesel generator vibration analysis

We are a Data Center company. Currently have 147 2MW diesel generators. Wanting to develop a vibration program. Does anyone currently perform VA on their generators? Would be interested in what failures you target and any success stories. Thanks, Lee

------------------------------
Lee McClish
Manager, Maintenance and Reliability
NTT Global Data Centers Americas
Ashburn VA
------------------------------

Hi Lee,
We installed vibration sensors on a Cat 2MW 3615 diesel generator to troubleshoot a severe underlying vibration. Turned out the engineering company spec'ed an aftermarket fan. The pulley configuration was such that spun the fan at an RPM in sync with the engine's 3600 rpm. It was a scary thing to be inside the generator enclosure when it was running. We changed the pulley to fix the problem once and for all. 

Best,

------------------------------
Jeff Wahl
Maintenance Manager, CMMS
Loveland CO
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-25-2020 08:23 AM
From: Lee McClish
Subject: Diesel generator vibration analysis

We are a Data Center company. Currently have 147 2MW diesel generators. Wanting to develop a vibration program. Does anyone currently perform VA on their generators? Would be interested in what failures you target and any success stories. Thanks, Lee

------------------------------
Lee McClish
Manager, Maintenance and Reliability
NTT Global Data Centers Americas
Ashburn VA
------------------------------

Thanks Jeff. Informative. Lee

------------------------------
Lee McClish
Manager, Maintenance and Reliability
NTT Global Data Centers Americas
Ashburn VA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-26-2020 10:55 AM
From: Jeff Wahl
Subject: Diesel generator vibration analysis

Hi Lee,
We installed vibration sensors on a Cat 2MW 3615 diesel generator to troubleshoot a severe underlying vibration. Turned out the engineering company spec'ed an aftermarket fan. The pulley configuration was such that spun the fan at an RPM in sync with the engine's 3600 rpm. It was a scary thing to be inside the generator enclosure when it was running. We changed the pulley to fix the problem once and for all.

Best,

------------------------------
Jeff Wahl
Maintenance Manager, CMMS
Loveland CO

Original Message:
Sent: 06-25-2020 08:23 AM
From: Lee McClish
Subject: Diesel generator vibration analysis

We are a Data Center company. Currently have 147 2MW diesel generators. Wanting to develop a vibration program. Does anyone currently perform VA on their generators? Would be interested in what failures you target and any success stories. Thanks, Lee

------------------------------
Lee McClish
Manager, Maintenance and Reliability
NTT Global Data Centers Americas
Ashburn VA
------------------------------

Lee,

There are two main components to a Diesel Generator Unit that could benefit from traditional and non-traditional vibration analysis.  The generator is a rotating asset and periodic vibration (spectrum) monitoring of the generator and frame has inherent value.  The engine however is a reciprocating machine that spectrum analysis is not of much use and which could benefit from "phased, band filtered" vibration and ultrasonic signature analysis.  This non traditional analysis has been used for decades on critical reciprocating engines in nuclear, marine, naval and other industries.  These techniques are well proven and  allows for periodic non-intrusive monitoring of internal components such as valves, rings, liners and bearing condition.    I have uploaded a paper that provides detail on Diesel Engine Analysis.

Reach out to me if you would like further information.

------------------------------
Edward Kelleher
Sandwich MA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-26-2020 11:00 AM
From: Lee McClish
Subject: Diesel generator vibration analysis

Thanks Jeff. Informative. Lee

------------------------------
Lee McClish
Manager, Maintenance and Reliability
NTT Global Data Centers Americas
Ashburn VA

Original Message:
Sent: 06-26-2020 10:55 AM
From: Jeff Wahl
Subject: Diesel generator vibration analysis

Hi Lee,
We installed vibration sensors on a Cat 2MW 3615 diesel generator to troubleshoot a severe underlying vibration. Turned out the engineering company spec'ed an aftermarket fan. The pulley configuration was such that spun the fan at an RPM in sync with the engine's 3600 rpm. It was a scary thing to be inside the generator enclosure when it was running. We changed the pulley to fix the problem once and for all.

Best,

------------------------------
Jeff Wahl
Maintenance Manager, CMMS
Loveland CO

Original Message:
Sent: 06-25-2020 08:23 AM
From: Lee McClish
Subject: Diesel generator vibration analysis

We are a Data Center company. Currently have 147 2MW diesel generators. Wanting to develop a vibration program. Does anyone currently perform VA on their generators? Would be interested in what failures you target and any success stories. Thanks, Lee

------------------------------
Lee McClish
Manager, Maintenance and Reliability
NTT Global Data Centers Americas
Ashburn VA
------------------------------

Edward, very informative. Thank you very much. Lee

------------------------------
Lee McClish
Manager, Maintenance and Reliability
NTT Global Data Centers Americas
Ashburn VA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-29-2020 10:52 AM
From: Edward Kelleher
Subject: Diesel generator vibration analysis

Lee,

There are two main components to a Diesel Generator Unit that could benefit from traditional and non-traditional vibration analysis.  The generator is a rotating asset and periodic vibration (spectrum) monitoring of the generator and frame has inherent value.  The engine however is a reciprocating machine that spectrum analysis is not of much use and which could benefit from "phased, band filtered" vibration and ultrasonic signature analysis.  This non traditional analysis has been used for decades on critical reciprocating engines in nuclear, marine, naval and other industries.  These techniques are well proven and  allows for periodic non-intrusive monitoring of internal components such as valves, rings, liners and bearing condition.    I have uploaded a paper that provides detail on Diesel Engine Analysis.

Reach out to me if you would like further information.

------------------------------
Edward Kelleher
Sandwich MA

Original Message:
Sent: 06-26-2020 11:00 AM
From: Lee McClish
Subject: Diesel generator vibration analysis

Thanks Jeff. Informative. Lee

------------------------------
Lee McClish
Manager, Maintenance and Reliability
NTT Global Data Centers Americas
Ashburn VA

Original Message:
Sent: 06-26-2020 10:55 AM
From: Jeff Wahl
Subject: Diesel generator vibration analysis

Hi Lee,
We installed vibration sensors on a Cat 2MW 3615 diesel generator to troubleshoot a severe underlying vibration. Turned out the engineering company spec'ed an aftermarket fan. The pulley configuration was such that spun the fan at an RPM in sync with the engine's 3600 rpm. It was a scary thing to be inside the generator enclosure when it was running. We changed the pulley to fix the problem once and for all.

Best,

------------------------------
Jeff Wahl
Maintenance Manager, CMMS
Loveland CO

Original Message:
Sent: 06-25-2020 08:23 AM
From: Lee McClish
Subject: Diesel generator vibration analysis

We are a Data Center company. Currently have 147 2MW diesel generators. Wanting to develop a vibration program. Does anyone currently perform VA on their generators? Would be interested in what failures you target and any success stories. Thanks, Lee

------------------------------
Lee McClish
Manager, Maintenance and Reliability
NTT Global Data Centers Americas
Ashburn VA
------------------------------

Hi Lee,  How long have these generators been in service? 

With  147 generators - and presuming these are distributed geographically,  you likely have a good data set to paint a fairly accurate picture of the likely failure modes. 

How accessible are the maintenance records to you for each of these generators?

------------------------------
Alejandro Erives
alex@blackstartreliability.com
(630) 806-0669
Naperville, IL, United States
https://www.blackstartreliability.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-25-2020 08:23 AM
From: Lee McClish
Subject: Diesel generator vibration analysis

We are a Data Center company. Currently have 147 2MW diesel generators. Wanting to develop a vibration program. Does anyone currently perform VA on their generators? Would be interested in what failures you target and any success stories. Thanks, Lee

------------------------------
Lee McClish
Manager, Maintenance and Reliability
NTT Global Data Centers Americas
Ashburn VA
------------------------------

Alejandro, Maybe 15 about 20 years old, about 1/3 7-10 years old and the rest less than 5 years old. They are in VA, CA and TX. Our CMMS was installed 3 years ago. Lee

------------------------------
Lee McClish
Manager, Maintenance and Reliability
NTT Global Data Centers Americas
Ashburn VA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-29-2020 11:49 AM
From: Alejandro Erives
Subject: Diesel generator vibration analysis

Hi Lee,  How long have these generators been in service?

With  147 generators - and presuming these are distributed geographically,  you likely have a good data set to paint a fairly accurate picture of the likely failure modes.

How accessible are the maintenance records to you for each of these generators?

------------------------------
Alejandro Erives
alex@blackstartreliability.com
(630) 806-0669
Naperville, IL, United States
https://www.blackstartreliability.com

Original Message:
Sent: 06-25-2020 08:23 AM
From: Lee McClish
Subject: Diesel generator vibration analysis

We are a Data Center company. Currently have 147 2MW diesel generators. Wanting to develop a vibration program. Does anyone currently perform VA on their generators? Would be interested in what failures you target and any success stories. Thanks, Lee

------------------------------
Lee McClish
Manager, Maintenance and Reliability
NTT Global Data Centers Americas
Ashburn VA
------------------------------