ISO 10816 is one of the most important international standards in the field of condition monitoring and vibration analysis of industrial equipment. It enables engineers to measure vibrations of rotating machinery (such as pumps, electric motors, compressors, turbines, and gearboxes), assess their mechanical condition, and take appropriate action before costly failures occur.

This article provides a detailed overview of the ISO 10816 standard: its concept , structure, mechanical classification, vibration limits, measurement methods, differences from newer standards (ISO 20816), application and important aspects of implementation.

The importance of ISO 10816 for industry

Vibrations are among the most important indicators of the condition of rotating mechanisms. Increased vibrations usually indicate a mechanical defect, such as:

imbalance
Individual or separate parts
Storage problems
cavitation pump
Communication deviation
Transmission malfunction
Electromagnetic oscillations

ISO 10816 can help engineers:

Understanding the permissible vibration limits of systems.
Recognizing warning signs and risk levels
Comparison of mechanical devices with international standards.
Monitoring the vibration process before a malfunction occurs.

Therefore, most factories, power plants, petrochemical plants and oil refineries use this standard to monitor the condition of their facilities.

Introduction to ISO 10816

ISO 10816, whose full title
is “Mechanical vibrations – Evaluation of machine vibrations by measurements on non-rotating parts”,
covers the evaluation of machine vibrations by measurements on non-rotating parts such as structures or objects.

This standard applies to all types of rotating machinery and is divided into several parts, each defining a specific machine class.

Structure of the ISO 10816 standard

The ISO 10816 standard contains the following sections:

Part 1 – General requirements (ISO 10816-1)

Vibration evaluation principle
How to select measurement points
Mechanical classification
General vibration limit

Part 2 – Large plants that do not require cementation (ISO 10816-2)

For the following machine types:

large electric generator
Steam turbine
High-performance air compressor

Part 3 – Small and medium-sized pumps and motors (ISO 10816-3)

One of the most widespread industries in the Iranian manufacturing sector.

Part 4 – Vertical and turbine pumps (ISO 10816-4)

Part 5 – Gas turbines and rotary engines with a speed of more than 3000 rpm (ISO 10816-5)

Part 6 – Large electrical machines (ISO 10816-6)

Part 7 – Slow-running machines (ISO 10816-7)

These chapters were subsequently revised and published as the new standard ISO 20816 .

Classification of machinery according to ISO 10816

Depending on size, performance and installation method, the machines are divided into four main categories:

Group 1: Small cars

Power output below 15 kW
small electric motor
household pump

Group 2: Medium and large SMD machines

Power output exceeding 15 kilowatts
Industrial compressors, fans and asynchronous motors

Group 3: Large machines with a fixed foundation

Heavy equipment of enormous mass
steel production line
Turbines and generators

Group 4: Large machines with flexible designs

Machines whose structure or base is not necessarily rigid.
Some rotating machines in the petrochemical industry

This assembly plays an important role in determining the vibration limits.

Criteria for vibration measurement according to the international standard ISO 10816

In ISO 10816, mechanical vibration is assessed based on the effective velocity (RV).

Unit:

Millimeters per second (mm/s² )

Why this particular vibration speed?

The best indicator for representing vibrational energy.
Susceptible to most mechanical defects.
The ability to compare different machines
Globally recognized industry standards

Although other parameters such as acceleration and displacement are also important in vibration analysis, ISO 10816 only considers vibration velocities in the frequency range of 10 to 1000 Hz.

Permissible vibration limits according to ISO 10816

This standard defines four general areas for assessing the condition of equipment:

The ranges for these values vary depending on the vehicle model category, but generally the following applies:

The vibration range of the second machine group (which are among the most common)

Zone A: The maximum speed can reach approximately 2.8 mm/s.
Zone B: 2.8 – 4.5 mm /s
Zone C: 4.5 – 7.1 mm/s
Zone D: Speed greater than 7.1 mm/s

These limits vary depending on power, speed, base type and machine design.

Vibration measurement methods in the international standard ISO 10816

To ensure accurate vibration measurements, the standard contains detailed instructions:

1. Determining the measuring points

Usually in or near the camp.
In the motor or pump housing
Along the X, Y, and Z axes
The main provisions must be reproducible.

2. Sensor type

An accelerometer is frequently used .

Sensor functions:

Operating frequency range: from 10 to 1000 Hz
The mounting can be done with screws, magnets or adhesive .
Standard sensitivity (typically 100 mV/g)

3. Measurement conditions

The car is traveling at its rated speed.
normal workload
Temperature stability
Data transmission is shock- and vibration-free.

4. Analytical instruments and equipment

Portable vibration analyzer
Online monitoring system
Software for spectral analysis (FFT)

The difference between ISO 10816 and ISO 20816

Between 2016 and 2021, ISO 10816 was revised and published as ISO 20816.

Key differences:

ISO 10816	ISO 20816
The measurements are only taken on non-rotating parts.	Measurements were taken on both rotating and non-rotating components.
Focus on the effective value of the speed.	Adding new criteria
An old building with a small number of classrooms.	The new organizational structure strengthens the cohesion of the group.
Sections 1 to 7	It was modified and integrated into version 20816.

However, many industries continue to use the code 10816 for the following reasons:

That makes it easier.
The vibration measuring device was developed in the year 10816 .
The 20816 system is still based on the 10816 system.

Application of ISO 10816 in industry

1. Condition monitoring (CM) and predictive maintenance.

This helps to avoid sudden failures.

2. Quality control of the assembly.

Check for vibrations after installing the water pump, engine, or gearbox.

3. Check the condition of the bearings.

Increased vibrations can be the first sign of bearing damage.

4. Check the pump’s functionality.

Diagnose the following problems:

cavity
Hydraulic malfunction
axis

5. Product quality control

For manufacturers of electric motors and pumps, it is essential to carry out vibration tests in accordance with this standard.

6. Root cause analysis of errors

Vibrations help engineers determine the cause of a malfunction.

Key points of ISO 10816 implementation

Always use a calibrated sensor.
The measurement points must be defined and specific.
Load and speed conditions must be stable.
The data must be stored and compared (trend analysis).
The sudden change in vibration is much more important than its absolute value.
The installation conditions (structure, foundation, distances) significantly influence the vibration level.

A&L electronically controlled kitchen machine with hydraulic system.

In conclusion

ISO 10816 is one of the most important standards for assessing vibration in rotating machinery. It defines vibration limits, measurement methods, equipment classification, and installation requirements, and assists engineers in accurately assessing the condition of pumps, motors, compressors, fans, and other rotating equipment.

With this standard you can:

Prevention of sudden failures
Reduced maintenance costs
This has led to an extension of the machines’ lifespan.
Approaching global standards