Vibro-meter VM600 Comprehensive Machinery Protection and Condition Monitoring System

Vibro-meter VM600 Series: Comprehensive Machinery Protection and Condition Monitoring System

The Vibro-meter VM600 Series is a high-performance, modular, and centralized system designed for the critical tasks of machinery protection and condition monitoring. Developed by Meggitt (now part of Baker Hughes), the VM600 is renowned for its reliability, precision, and compliance with stringent industry standards such as API 670. It serves as a comprehensive solution for continuously monitoring the health of rotating and reciprocating machinery, providing early warning of potential failures while ensuring immediate protection to prevent catastrophic damage.

The system is built on a compact, 19-inch rack-based architecture (the MPC4 rack) that houses various function-specific cards. This modular design allows for flexible configuration, ranging from single-machine setups to complex plant-wide monitoring networks, seamlessly integrating both protection (safety) and condition monitoring (predictive maintenance) functions into a single platform.

Product Model List and Parameters

The VM600 system comprises several key hardware components. Below are the primary models and their technical specifications:

1. VM600 MPC4 (Machinery Protection Card Rack)

• Description: The standard 4-slot, 19-inch rack mountable enclosure that houses the VM600 modules. It provides the backplane communication and power supply distribution for the inserted cards.

• Key Parameters:

• Input Voltage: 85–264 VAC, 47–63 Hz (auto-ranging) or 20–60 VDC.

• Power Consumption: Max 50W (depending on module configuration).

• Slots: 4 universal module slots.

• Power Supply:

• Operating Temperature: 0°C to +55°C (32°F to +131°F).

• Storage Temperature: -40°C to +85°C (-40°F to +185°F).

• Humidity: 5% to 95% non-condensing.

• Protection: Conformal coating on circuit boards for harsh environments.

• Certifications: CE, CSA, FM, ATEX, IECEx (varies by specific module configuration).

2. VM600 CMSS (Communication and Status Monitoring Subsystem)

• Description: The “brain” of the system. Typically installed in Slot 1 (leftmost), it manages all internal communication between modules and acts as the gateway for external networks (Ethernet).

• Key Parameters:

• 1 x RS-232/485 Serial Port (for configuration/service).

• 2 x 10/100 Base-T Ethernet Ports (supporting Modbus TCP, TCP/IP).

• Optional: CMSS cards support OPC UA server for modern data integration.

• Processor: High-performance 32-bit RISC processor.

• Communication Interfaces:

• Data Buffer: Extensive non-volatile memory for event recording (alarms, trips, configuration changes).

• Time Synchronization: Supports SNTP (Simple Network Time Protocol) for sub-millisecond accuracy across multiple racks.

• Diagnostic Functions: Comprehensive “Watchdog” and health monitoring of all backplane communication and module integrity.

3. VM600 RPS6u (Relay Protection Subsystem)

• Description: A 2-channel protection module designed primarily for machinery safety. It accepts input from vibration sensors and provides programmable relay outputs for alarms and trips. It is known for its high reliability and independence.

• Key Parameters:

• AC Vibration: 0.5 Hz to 10 kHz (depends on sensor).

• DC Position: 0 Hz to 1 kHz.

• Eddy Current (Proximity) Probes: Displacement ( Shaft Vibration, Position).

• Velocity Pickups: Seismic (absolute casing vibration).

• Accelerometers: Integrated Electronic Piezoelectric (IEPE).

• Input Channels: 2 independent channels (typically configured as Channel A and Channel B for redundancy, or 2 separate measurements).

• Sensor Compatibility:

• Frequency Response:

• Relay Outputs: 4 Form C (changeover) relays per module (configurable for Alert, Danger, Acknowledge, or Fault).

• Alarm Logic: Supports 2-out-of-2 (2oo2) or 2-out-of-3 (2oo3) voting logic when used in redundant configurations.

• Accuracy: Better than ±1% of full scale.

4. VM600 ISM4 (Intelligent Signal Monitor)

• Description: An advanced 4-channel signal processing module that bridges the gap between protection and detailed condition monitoring. It offers digital signal processing (DSP) for high-precision measurement and analysis.

• Key Parameters:

• Overall Vibration (RMS, Peak).

• Gap Voltage (DC).

• Spectral Analysis (FFT up to 20 kHz bandwidth).

• Waveform capture.

• Input Channels: 4 isolated universal inputs per module.

• Measurement Capabilities:

• Sensor Types: Supports nearly all standard industrial sensors (Proximity, Velomitor, Accelerometer).

• Dynamic Range: > 80 dB (provides excellent resolution without range switching).

• Protection: Programmable Alarm/Relay logic (via the backplane).

• Diagnostics: Advanced sensor diagnostics (Open/Short cable detection).