Resonance is a condition that can occur in mechanical structures and can be described as sensitivity to a certain vibration frequency. Resonance occurs when a natural frequency is at or close to a forcing frequency, such as rotor speed. For machinery—such as pumps, turbines and electric motors—resonance can amplify the small vibratory forces from machine operation, and severe vibration levels can result. Such problems often develop after a speed change has been implemented, as with retrofitting a machine with an adjustable-speed drive (ASD) or operating a 50-hertz motor on 60 hertz of power.
The solution to these problems frequently depends on distinguishing between structural resonance and a rotor critical speed. Structural resonance refers to excessive vibrations of non-rotating components, usually machine components or supporting structures. Rotor critical speed refers to a condition in which the speed of the rotating element of the machine matches the rotor’s natural frequency