SKF IMx-M User manual

User manual
Copyright 2016 by SKF Group
All rights reserved.
SKF Condition Monitoring Center – Luleå
Aurorum 30, 977 75 Luleå, Sweden
Telephone: [phone], Fax: [phone]
SKF Multilog On-Line
System IMx-M
User Manual Part No. 32179800-EN
Revision O
Protection FW 364
IMx-M Manager 2.1.22
WARNING! Read this manual before using this product. Failure to follow the
instructions and safety precautions in this manual can result in serious injury, damage
to the product, or incorrect readings. Keep this manual in a safe location for future
reference.

SKF USA Inc.
® SKF is a registered trademark of the SKF Group.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
© SKF 2016
The contents of this publication are the copyright of the publisher and may not be reproduced (even
extracts) unless prior written permission is granted. Every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of
the information contained in this publication but no liability can be accepted for any loss or damage whether
direct, indirect or consequential arising out of the use of the information contained herein. SKF reserves the
right to alter any part of this publication without prior notice.
Patents: US 4,768,380 • US 5,633,811 • US 5,679,900 • US 5,845,230 • US 5,852,351 •
US 5,854,553 • US 5,854,994 • US 5,870,699 • US 5,907,491 • US 5,992,237 • US 6,006,164 •
US 6,124,692 • US 6,138,078 • US 6,199,422 • US 6,202,491 • US 6,275,781 • US 6,301,514 •
US 6,437,692 • US 6,489,884 • US 6,513,386 • US 6,633,822 • US 6,789,025 • US 6,792,360 •
US 7,103,511 • US 7,697,492 • WO/2003/048714
Product Support – Contact Information
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Product Sales - For information on purchasing condition monitoring products, services or customer
support, contact your local SKF sales office.
General Product Information
For general product information (i.e., product data sheet, accessories catalog, etc.), visit the Condition
Monitoring Products page on SKF.com and select the appropriate product link.
Technical Support Group
Discuss/review issues of specific interest with maintenance and reliability specialists from around the world
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or [e-mail] for customers in North America, South America and Asia.
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SKF Multilog On-Line System IMx-M TOC - 1
User Manual
Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Important Messages .................................................. 1-1
System Overview........................................................ 1-5
IMx-M General Overview .......................................... 1-6
Protection 2
Safety Considerations................................................ 2-1
Accuracy....................................................................... 2-2
Measurement Types.................................................. 2-3
Alarms ........................................................................2-20
Relays .........................................................................2-25
Protection Part Operation ......................................2-32
IMx-M Manager........................................................2-55
Protection Module Configuration with IMx-M
Manager .................................................................2-88
Modbus ................................................................... 2-172
Condition Monitoring 3
Condition Monitoring Part Operation ..................... 3-1
Condition Monitoring Data Analysis........................ 3-1
IMx-M Time................................................................. 3-1
Hardware 4
Installation................................................................... 4-1
Hardware Configuration .........................................4-14
LED Indicators...........................................................4-27
Protection Part Diagnostic Commands ................4-34
Condition Monitoring Part Diagnostic
Commands.............................................................4-35
Hardware Maintenance...........................................4-36
Event Log 5

TOC - 2 SKF Multilog On-Line System IMx-M
User Manual
Troubleshooting Guide 6
Problems and Symptoms ......................................... 6-1
Component Check ...................................................... 6-3
Firmware Recovery.................................................... 6-8
Technical Data 7
Environmental ............................................................ 7-1
Rack.............................................................................. 7-1
Power Supply.............................................................. 7-1
Power Consumption.................................................. 7-2
Analog Inputs - Protection & CM ............................ 7-2
Digital Inputs - Protection & CM ............................. 7-2
Outputs - Protection ................................................. 7-2
Analog Measurement - Protection ......................... 7-3
Digital Measurement – Protection.......................... 7-3
Relay - Protection...................................................... 7-3
Signal Processing - Protection ................................ 7-4
Interface - Protection................................................ 7-4
Analog Measurement - CM...................................... 7-4
Digital Measurement - CM....................................... 7-5
Signal Processing - CM............................................. 7-5
Interface - CM............................................................. 7-5
Miscellaneous.............................................................. 7-5
Quality Control............................................................ 7-6
Drawings and Connections....................................... 7-7
Electrical Waste 8
Glossary 9
Limited Warranty A
Index

SKF Multilog On-Line System IMx-M 1 - 1
User Manual
1
Introduction
Important Messages
The following messages are important information that require special care in order to
have a safe and reliable IMx-M system.
Important messages, instructions and information in this manual must be
followed carefully. Otherwise, harm might occur to equipment and/or personnel.
IMx-M shall be used for speed alarming only. It shall not be used to protect/trip
machine on overspeed. IMx-M does not fulfill the requirements related to
overspeed protection.
All safety critical decisions must be driven by the data from the protection
module.
•
Always use relay outputs for the safety/danger triggering.
•
Use @ptitude Observer only for monitoring purposes.
•
Use 4-20 mA outputs only for monitoring purposes.
•
Use Modbus data only for monitoring purposes.
Note: Be sure to always monitor the circuit fault status (circuit fault relay).
In order to ensure a safe system, installation, configuration and maintenance
of the system must be done by trained personnel only.
An IMx-M rack contains circuit boards that are static sensitive. Therefore,
appropriate precautions must be used to prevent electrostatic discharge (ESD)
when handling circuit boards.
Each module must be placed correctly in the designated slot. The designated
slot of the each module is shown in Front Panel in Drawings and Connections
section.

Introduction
Important Messages
1 - 2 SKF Multilog On-Line System IMx-M
User Manual
A condition monitoring module (CMM) and a protection module (PRM) must be
installed as a pair in order to ensure the internal power redundancy.
Due to the physical reason, when mounting a pair of CMM and PRM, must
always mount the PRM before the CMM in order to avoid any damages to the PRM.
However, when dismounting a pair of CMM and PRM, it must be the other way
around. Always dismount the CMM before the PRM. Otherwise, the PRM can be
seriously damaged.
In general, all signal cables must be routed as far away as possible from the
high voltage cables.
It is always recommended to use high quality shielded cables and care must be
taken to ensure that the shield is properly connected to eliminate interference and
noise.
Grounding procedure must be handled with special care to prevent ground
loops:
•
Be sure to read "Signal Grounding" and "Signal Isolation" chapters thoroughly
and understand them.
•
SKF USB isolator cables must always be used when connecting to IMx-M USB
ports.
•
Equipment connected to buffered outputs must be isolated from the protective
earth.
•
Instrument ground (IGND) should be connected and joined to protective
earth/ground at one point only.
•
In general, it is recommended to connect shield to the ground in only one side
of the senor/signal cable to avoid potential ground loops.
An IMx-M rack must be connected to protective earth since surge suppressors
are connected between network terminals and protective earth.
Make sure that protective earth and instrument ground (IGND) are properly
connected before connecting any of the input or output terminals of IMx-M rack.

Introduction
Important Messages
SKF Multilog On-Line System IMx-M 1 - 3
User Manual
All wires and cables connected to input and output terminals shall have a
flammability rating VW-1, FT-1 or fulfill the requirements according to IEC 60332-
1-2 or IEC 60332-2-2.
Because of the redundant power supply, both supply circuits (power connectors
AC1 and AC2) must be disconnected before maintenance. Refer to Mains Power
section.
Caution to a possible hazard due to mains power double pole/neutral fusing.
An IMx-M rack must be situated in a cabinet with a metal bottom or plastic
bottom with flammability classification of at least V-1. The cabinet must fulfill at
least IP 20.
Each IMx-M rack must be equipped with a forced ventilation which has a feed
of at least 3 x 95 m3/h (unrestricted airflow) in order to keep the rack environment
temperature as low as possible, ideally below 30 °C / 86 °F.
•
IMx-M is designed to operate in an environment of maximum operating
temperature of 65 °C / 149 °F. However, operating IMx-M at this temperature
shall be avoided as it will drastically shorten the lifetime of all components.
•
PRM with revision number 20 and above has an internal temperature
measurement device/sensor. The internal temperature is monitored and
registered via Event Log. If the rack is operated above 65 °C / 149 °F, the
warranty will be voided.
•
The recommended fan tray is of at least 3 x 12 cm fan and must be mounted
directly above or below each IMx-M rack ( see Cooling section for the proper
installation guidelines).
•
The cooling fan must be UL or CSA approved and inspected regularly for
optimal performance.
The IMx-M rack is a class A equipment intended for use in an industrial
environment.
The usage of 4-20 mA outputs is only for monitoring purposes. Use relay
outputs for safety alert/danger triggering.

Introduction
Important Messages
1 - 4 SKF Multilog On-Line System IMx-M
User Manual
In order to release rack/slot disarm the following conditions must be met:
•
Rack disarm shall not be released until the rack is configured properly and is
running with a correct firmware. Be sure to read "Disarm" chapter and
"Protection Firmware Update" chapter thoroughly and understand them.
•
Slot disarm shall not be released until the protection module and the
associated relay module are configured properly and are running with a correct
firmware. Be sure to read "Disarm" chapter and "Protection Firmware Update"
chapter thoroughly and understand them.
•
Evaluate circuit faults with the diagnostic command "cf" before rack/slot
disarm is released. Be sure to read "Circuit Faults (cf)" chapter thoroughly and
understand it.
•
Evaluate channel alarms after a configuration update but before disarm is
released to avoid unwanted alert/danger alarms triggered upon arm of
channel/rack/slot.
•
Note: A premature release of rack/slot disarm may cause a missing or invalid
configuration, which would be indicated as a circuit fault.
In order to perform hot-swap, the following conditions must be met: (See
section Hot-swap for proper procedures)
•
The rack must be set in rack disarm mode before the hot-swap procedure
takes place. Be sure to read "Disarm" chapter thoroughly and understand it.
•
After the hot-swap but before the rack/slot disarm is released, user must
ensure that the rack/protection module and the associated relay module are
properly configured. Be sure to read "Protection Configuration Update" chapter
thoroughly and understand it. Evaluate circuit faults with the diagnostic
command "cf" as described in chapter "Circuit Faults (cf)".
•
After the hot-swap but before the rack/slot disarm is released, user must
ensure that the rack/protection module and the associated relay module are
running with a correct firmware. Be sure to read "Protection Firmware Update"
chapter thoroughly and understand it. It is always recommended to check with
the diagnostic command "intd0" that the correct firmware is running on all
protection MCUs. Evaluate circuit faults with the diagnostic command "cf" as
described in chapter "Circuit Faults (cf)".
•
In case of hot-swap of a power supply unit, be sure to read "Power Supply"
chapter thoroughly and understand it.
DIP switch settings must be handled with a special care to prevent any damage
to the IMx-M rack:
•
Do NOT change DIP switch settings while the IMx-M rack is powered-up, as
this may cause damage and void warranty.
•
Before powering up the IMx-M rack, make sure that DIP switch settings are
properly set to match the recommendations for the connected sensors.
Incorrect settings may cause permanent damage to the IMx-M rack.

Introduction
System Overview
SKF Multilog On-Line System IMx-M 1 - 5
User Manual
System Overview
The SKF Multilog On-line System IMx-M is the latest addition to the current generation
of powerful, cost effective solutions suitable for a variety of machinery monitoring
applications.
Together with SKF @ptitude Monitoring Suite software, the SKF Multilog IMx-M can
provide a complete system for initiation of machinery shutdown, early fault detection
and diagnosis. In addition, the SKF Multilog IMx-M system can provide automated
advice for correcting existing or impending conditions that can affect machine reliability,
availability and performance.
Figure 1 - 1.
System Overview, IMx-M with @ptitude Observer.
The picture above illustrates how IMx-M racks are on one side connected to different
sensors and measuring points while on the other side linked together through various
interfaces like relay outputs, RS485 and Ethernet LAN for plant control and information

Introduction
IMx-M General Overview
1 - 6 SKF Multilog On-Line System IMx-M
User Manual
exchange. The plant networks are connected to various control and monitoring systems,
amongst them an @ptitude Monitoring Suite and Observer Monitor.
The @ptitude Observer Monitor in turn can be connected to e.g. a LAN network making
it possible for several of @ptitude Observer clients to link to this network.
It is also possible to connect different types of on-line units in the same network, for
example, IMx-M together with IMx-S and DMx.
IMx-M General Overview
Figure 1 - 2.
A Fully Equipped IMx-M Rack.
The above figure shows an example of a fully equipped IMx-M rack with (from left to
right) two redundant power supply units, three relay modules and four pairs of a
condition monitoring module and a protection module.
Each module may also be referred as a “slot”.
IMx-M Rack and Components
Designed to fit into a 19" rack enclosure, an IMx-M rack is equipped with the following
components:
•Power supply unit (PSU or PSU slot)
–Two redundant power supply units
•Relay module (RLM or RLM slot)
–Up to three relay modules

Introduction
IMx-M General Overview
SKF Multilog On-Line System IMx-M 1 - 7
User Manual
–Each relay module has 32 relays (28 SPDT and four DPDT), hence up to 96
relays in total with up to three RLM
–All relays are placed upon relay modules except for circuit fault and disarmed
relays which are placed upon protection module.
–All relays upon relay modules are user configurable.
•Condition monitoring module and protection module pair ("CMM + PRM" or "CMM +
PRM slot")
–Up to four pairs of a condition monitoring module and a protection module
–Analog channels
oEach CMM + PRM slot has 16 analog signal inputs
oUp to 64 analog signal inputs in total when having four CMM + PRM slots
oThe dynamic signal inputs are configurable for a wide variety of sensors.
Signals, such as acceleration, velocity and displacement or other
parameters are easily adopted. Each input can also be configured for
standard accelerometers, 4–20 mA or ±23 V.
oSeveral measurement points may be attached to one channel and both AC
and DC measurements can be measured on the same channel
–Digital channels
oEach CMM + PRM slot has eight digital channels
oUp to 32 digital channels in total when having four CMM + PRM slots
oDigital channels are available for measuring speed, trigger or digital status;
for example, indicating when a measurement can take place
IMx-M System Main Parts
•Machine protection part for the safety related functions which consists of
protection modules and relay modules.
•Condition monitoring part for early fault detection (non-safety related functions)
which consists of condition monitoring modules.
•Power supply units are a common part for both machine protection and condition
monitoring.
IMx-M's Unique Features
•Individual conditions for alert and danger may be set for each measurement point.
•Each channel has indicators for alert and danger. However, it is also possible to
manually bypass the alert and danger functionality.
•The rack is offering remote reset of latching alert/danger conditions.
•All channels are fully computed in parallel, both condition monitoring and machine
protection.

Introduction
IMx-M General Overview
1 - 8 SKF Multilog On-Line System IMx-M
User Manual
•The built-in hardware auto-diagnosis system continuously checks all sensors,
cabling and electronics for any faults, signal interruption, short circuits or power
failure.
•The design ensures that a single circuit failure cannot affect more than two
measurement channels and it is possible to detect and indicate the circuit failure.
•The system makes it possible to have selected channels configured for redundancy.
All channels are designed to prevent any one channel from affecting any other
channel.
Condition Monitoring Module (CMM) Buffer Storage Capacity
•Each condition monitoring module has 8 MB flash memory used for the following.
–2 MB for firmware, configuration files, etc.
–2 MB for trend value buffer
oAbout 13 000 vibration trend values can be buffered
oSpeed and process data use half the space of vibration
–4 MB for spectra and time signal buffer
oAbout 250 spectra using 1 600 lines with phase and time signal can be
buffered
oIf more lines are used, the number of spectra is reduced.
oIf less lines are used, the number of spectra is increased
–When the buffer gets full, the oldest data is thrown away.
Initiating an IMx-M
•The machine protection configuration is done through the application tool called
IMx-M Manager and a (portable) computer using the USB interface located on
protection modules.
•The condition monitoring configuration is done through @ptitude Observer
software.
•All initial network configuration parameters, such as IP address, IMx identification
number, etc. are done through the application tool called IMx-M Manager. The
parameters are stored first in a separate configuration file, then transferred to the
IMx-M memory.
•The configuration is retained in the event of power losses, so that the IMx-M can
start automatically when power returns.

Introduction
IMx-M General Overview
SKF Multilog On-Line System IMx-M 1 - 9
User Manual
IMx-M Mean Time to Failure (MTTF)
IMx-M MTTF was calculated to 20,8 years, where the protection module has 25,2
years, the relay module has 139,6 years and the backplane has 772,3 years.
The calculation was done under the environmental conditions 40 °C / 104 °F and for
the following configuration of the IMx-M machinery protection system:
•two analog input channels
•four alarm relay outputs
•two analog buffered outputs
•one digital eddy current probe input
•one digital buffered output
•two front panel analog buffered outputs
•one front panel buffered digital output
•two RS485 outputs
•Disarm input, disarm relay and circuit fault relay

SKF Multilog On-Line System IMx-M 2 - 1
User Manual
2
Protection
Safety Considerations
The following are some of the PRM safety related issues that should be considered.
Table 2-1: PRM related safety considerations.
Cause Effect
PRM firmware is being updated Protection functionality of PRM slot is not active and all relays go to non
energized state.
PRM configuration is being
updated
Protection functionality of PRM slot is not active and all relays go to non
energized state.
Updating CMM FW through the
Observer database distribution
(automated)
Rack signaling CF (circuit fault) = Rack not trustable unless Modbus is used to
verify channel status registers and the register System Status 1.
Updating the CMM firmware
directly on the rack by using the
IMx-M Manager (USB)
PRM slot signaling CF = PRM slot not trustable unless Modbus is used to verify
channel status registers and the register System Status 1.
Entering Maintenance mode Protection functionality of PRM slot is not active because PRM slot has to be
disarmed to enter the maintenance mode.
Updating Observer software
(uninstall old version and install
new version, put new firmware in
DB, etc.)
Rack signaling CF = Rack not trustable unless Modbus is used to verify channel
status registers and the register System Status 1.
Change or update CMM settings
or configuration via Observer
Rack signaling CF = Rack not trustable unless Modbus is used to verify channel
status registers and the register System Status 1.
Because CMM is rebooting, PRM cannot store safety events and will be
signaling circuit fault.
Change or update CMM settings
or configuration via IMx-M
Manager (USB)
PRM Slot signaling CF = PRM slot not trustable unless Modbus is used to
verify channel status registers and the register System Status 1.
Because CMM is rebooting, PRM cannot store safety events and will be
signaling circuit fault.
Hot-swap of any module in the
rack
Protect
ion functionality of Rack is not active because the rack (all slots) shall be
in disarm mode during a properly performed hot-swap procedure.

Protection
Accuracy
2 - 2 SKF Multilog On-Line System IMx-M
User Manual
Accuracy
Facts to Consider Regarding Accuracy
•Protection modules (PRM) and condition monitoring modules (CMM) can show
different values due to the following reasons.
–They are two separate individual measurement devices.
–They have two different purposes. PRM is to optimize the quick response time
as defined in API 670 whereas CMM is to optimize the early fault detection.
–They use two different measurement algorithms.
–They have two different filter setups.
•API 670 specifies ±1% and ±0,5 dB filters in passband which leads to ±6% in total.
•Calibration of reference instruments does not mean it is exact. It only means that it
is within the specification.
•Note that most reference instruments are not accurate for low frequencies below
50 Hz.
•The following diagram shows an example of same or different readings for PRM
and CMM depending on the input signal frequency in conjunction with filters.
Figure 2 - 1.
Comparison of PRM and CMM Readings.

Protection
Measurement Types
SKF Multilog On-Line System IMx-M 2 - 3
User Manual
Accuracy is Relative to API 670 Defined Full Scale
Example:
API 670 defined full scale: Axial position ±1 mm => Accuracy = ±10 µm
Incorrect:
Measured value = 52 µm
Input signal = 50 µm
Error = Measured value – Actual value = 52 - 50 µm = 2 µm
Error in % = Error / Input signal => 2 / 50 => 4% error
Incorrect:
Measured value = 0.01 µm
Input signal = 0 µm
Error = Measured value – Actual value = 0.01 - 0 µm = 0.01 µm
Error in % = Error / Input signal => 0.01 / 0 => Infinite
Correct:
Error = Measured value – Actual value = 52 - 50 µm = 2 µm
Error in % = Error / API 670 Full scale = 2 / 1000 => 0.2% error
Measurement Types
Analog Channels
•Casing Vibration
•Eccentricity
•Gap
•Other
•Piston Rod Drop
•Position
•Radial Shaft Vibration
•Temperature
Combined Measurements
•Absolute Shaft Vibration
•Complementary Differential Expansion
•Piston Rod Drop XY
•Temperature Difference
Digital Channels
•Speed

Protection
Measurement Types
2 - 4 SKF Multilog On-Line System IMx-M
User Manual
Absolute Shaft Vibration
Absolute shaft vibration is a technique for determining the total amount of shaft
displacement relative to some point in free space (such as the securing bulkhead). The
concept is shown in the figure below.
Figure 2 - 2.
Absolute Shaft Vibration.
However, what actually is observed here is that absolute displacement is the difference
between two different forms of displacement, namely:
•Displacement of the machine relative to the securing bulkhead (um #1), which can
be determined by means of a velocity sensor secured to a fixed point (such as a
bearing casing), the output of which is integrated to a displacement value in um or
mil.
Figure 2 - 3.
Measuring the Vibration of the Machine.
•Displacement of the shaft relative to the machine itself (um #2), which can be
determined by means of a proximity probe, secured firmly to the machine casing.

Protection
Measurement Types
SKF Multilog On-Line System IMx-M 2 - 5
User Manual
Figure 2 - 4.
Measuring the Vibration of the Shaft Relative to the Machine.
Therefore, to determine the absolute shaft displacement, what must be done is to
attach both a velocity sensor and a shaft displacement probe to the machine being
analyzed, then either sum or subtract the returned displacement values (see figure
below).
Figure 2 - 5.
Determining the Absolute Shaft Vibration.
Casing Vibration
Casing vibration is used for measuring vibration on machines such as gears, pumps,
fans, and motors equipped with rolling element bearings (API670 definition).

Protection
Measurement Types
2 - 6 SKF Multilog On-Line System IMx-M
User Manual
Complementary Differential Expansion
Complementary Differential Expansion (CDE) uses signals from two analog channels
of combined measurements to extend the measurement range.
This setup is required to determine the axial displacement of the proximity probe collar,
due to thermal expansion of the main rotor shaft. As the shaft expands, the proximity
collar moves away from one sensor towards a second sensor, effectively doubling the
total proximity sensing range.
Figure 2 - 6.
Complementary Sensor Setup.
For this example:
•Sensitivity of sensor S1 and S2 is 1 000 mV/mm.
•Sensor S1 will be connected to Channel 1 and sensor S2 to Channel 2.
•We will assume that the collar is closer to sensor S1 when there is no rotor
expansion, but closer to sensor S2 when the rotor is at maximum expansion.
•Channel 1 will have the target positive direction set as "Active / Normal (away from
probe)" whereas Channel 2 will be set in reverse.
•Sensor S1 is selected as the master sensor. It is the output of this sensor which will
determine when measuring of the displacement will switch from Sensor S1 to
Sensor S2.