Motor Is Vibrating Too Much? How a Vibration Meter Helps Diagnose the Problem Malaysia
Motor Is Vibrating Too Much? How a Vibration Meter Helps Diagnose the Problem Malaysia
Is your electric motor suddenly vibrating more than usual?
Excessive motor vibration should not simply be ignored. A change in vibration may indicate that something in the motor, mounting, coupling or connected machinery requires further inspection.
A portable vibration meter such as the Benetech GM63B can help maintenance technicians measure the vibration condition instead of relying only on touch, sound or visual observation.
For factory maintenance teams in Malaysia, the most useful approach is to measure systematically, compare different locations and look for changes over time.
Why Is My Electric Motor Vibrating?
There is no single cause of motor vibration.
Possible causes may include:
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Rotor imbalance
-
Shaft or coupling misalignment
-
Bearing deterioration
-
Mechanical looseness
-
Loose mounting bolts
-
Weak or damaged mounting
-
Problems with connected machinery
-
Changes in operating conditions
The vibration may also be transmitted from a pump, fan, gearbox or other connected equipment.
Therefore, don't automatically assume that the motor itself is the only problem.
First Question: Is the Vibration New?
One of the first things to determine is whether the machine has always operated this way or whether its behaviour has recently changed.
Ask:
Was the motor previously running smoothly?
Did vibration suddenly increase?
Has vibration gradually become worse?
Was maintenance recently performed?
Has the machine load changed?
Was the motor, pump or coupling recently replaced?
These questions provide useful context before detailed troubleshooting begins.
Don't Depend Only on Your Hand
Technicians often notice vibration by touching a machine.
This can be useful as an initial observation, but it is subjective.
One technician may describe a machine as:
“A little vibration.”
Another may say:
“Very strong vibration.”
A vibration meter provides a measured value that can be recorded and compared.
This makes maintenance observations more repeatable.
Using the Benetech GM63B for Motor Troubleshooting
The Benetech GM63B Vibration Meter can be used to take measurements at suitable points around the motor and connected equipment.
Consider a motor driving a pump:
Motor NDE → Motor DE → Coupling → Pump DE → Pump NDE
Instead of measuring only one location, compare several points.
This can help identify where the most significant change appears to be occurring.
Check the Motor Bearings
Bearing locations are useful points for routine motor vibration measurements.
For example:
Point A – Non-Drive-End Bearing
Point B – Drive-End Bearing
Take measurements at repeatable locations according to the instrument instructions and your maintenance procedure.
If previous readings are available, compare them.
A significant change from the machine's normal condition may justify further inspection.
Check the Mounting
Sometimes excessive vibration is associated with how the machine is mounted.
Inspect:
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Motor mounting bolts
-
Motor feet
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Base plate
-
Foundation
-
Supporting structure
-
Other accessible mounting components
A motor cannot be evaluated independently from the mechanical structure supporting it.
Check the Coupling and Alignment
For coupled machinery:
Motor → Coupling → Pump / Machine
the relationship between components matters.
If vibration has increased, maintenance personnel may need to investigate coupling and alignment condition according to the equipment manufacturer's procedures.
Vibration measurement does not replace an alignment inspection, but abnormal vibration can be one reason to investigate alignment further.
Is the Motor Driving a Pump?
If yes, don't stop at the motor.
Measure suitable locations on the pump as well.
For example:
| Measurement Point | Observation |
|---|---|
| Motor NDE | Record vibration |
| Motor DE | Record vibration |
| Pump DE | Record vibration |
| Pump NDE | Record vibration |
Comparing multiple points gives the technician more information than one isolated measurement.
Is the Motor Driving a Fan or Blower?
The same principle applies.
A fan system may contain:
Motor → Belt/Coupling → Shaft → Bearings → Fan/Impeller
Changes in vibration may originate from different parts of this system.
Check the entire assembly rather than automatically replacing the motor.
Look for Other Warning Signs
Vibration should not always be considered in isolation.
Check whether the machine also shows:
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Unusual noise
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Increasing temperature
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Burning smell
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Leakage
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Visible movement
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Reduced performance
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Changes in operating sound
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Repeated bearing problems
For example:
Increasing Vibration + Increasing Temperature + Abnormal Noise
is more informative than simply saying:
“The motor feels rough.”
Compare with Previous Vibration Readings
Historical data is extremely valuable.
Suppose your maintenance records show:
January – Stable
February – Stable
March – Slight increase
April – Higher
May – Higher again
This tells you that the machine condition is changing.
Without records, the technician sees only today's measurement and loses the trend.
What If You Have No Previous Reading?
You can still begin.
Record the current operating condition and vibration measurement.
Then repeat the measurement at the same location under comparable conditions.
Your first measurement becomes the beginning of the machine's vibration history.
For factories that have never implemented vibration trending, the important thing is simply to start collecting consistent data.
Does the GM63B Tell You Exactly What Is Wrong?
No.
A vibration meter should not be treated as an automatic diagnosis machine.
A high or changing reading may lead technicians to investigate:
Bearing
↓
Alignment
↓
Balance
↓
Coupling
↓
Mounting
↓
Foundation
↓
Connected Equipment
Additional inspection or more advanced diagnostic equipment may be required depending on the problem.
A Simple Motor Vibration Troubleshooting Workflow
When a motor starts vibrating unusually, a practical workflow is:
1. Observe the machine
↓
2. Check for obvious looseness or damage
↓
3. Measure vibration at repeatable points
↓
4. Compare motor DE and NDE
↓
5. Measure connected equipment
↓
6. Compare with previous records
↓
7. Check temperature, sound and other symptoms
↓
8. Investigate the likely mechanical area
This provides a more structured approach than immediately replacing parts.
Why Factories Should Keep Vibration Records
A motor that fails unexpectedly can interrupt production.
By recording routine vibration measurements, maintenance teams can gradually establish what is normal for important machines.
The process is simple:
Normal Machine → Baseline
Routine Inspection → New Reading
Compare → Identify Change
Investigate → Maintenance Decision
This supports preventive and condition-based maintenance.
Who May Need a Portable Vibration Meter?
A vibration meter can be useful for:
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Factory maintenance technicians
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Motor service companies
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Pump maintenance contractors
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HVAC technicians
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Facility management teams
-
Mechanical contractors
-
Industrial maintenance companies
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Production engineering departments
The Benetech GM63B is one portable option for routine vibration checks on rotating machinery.
Looking for a Motor Vibration Meter in Malaysia?
If your motor, pump, bearing, fan or other rotating machine is producing unusual vibration, measuring the condition can provide useful information for the next stage of inspection.
MTM Precision supplies vibration meters and industrial testing instruments for machinery maintenance applications in Malaysia.
Contact us with details such as your machine type, motor/pump application and measurement requirement if you need assistance selecting a suitable vibration meter.
Contact MTM Precision
MTM Precision Sdn Bhd
No. 29-1 & 29-2, Jalan Bandar 18,
Pusat Bandar Puchong,
47160 Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia.
Website: www.mtmpre.com.my
WhatsApp: +6016-660 7346
Email: mtmpre@yahoo.com
Contact MTM Precision for Benetech GM63B Vibration Meter Malaysia, motor vibration testing equipment and industrial machinery troubleshooting solutions.
05 Sep 2026
