Pump and motor shaft alignment check

What’s inside

1. 1

   Isolate the pump set

   Isolate and lock out the motor following your lockout / tagout procedure. Close the suction and discharge valves so that flow cannot turn the pump while you work.

   Action15 min

   Tools: Lockout devices

   Risks: Unexpected start-up; reverse flow can spin the pump and motor.

2. 2

   Remove the coupling guard

   Remove the coupling guard and keep its fixings. Check the guard for damage.

   Action10 min

   Tools: Spanners

3. 3

   Inspect the coupling and baseplate

   Check the coupling element for wear, the anchor bolts for tightness and the grout for cracks. Check that pipework does not pull on the pump: misalignment caused by pipe strain returns after every correction.

   Inspection10 min

   Tools: Torch, feeler gauges

4. 4

   Check and correct soft foot

   With a dial indicator on each motor foot in turn, loosen that foot and read the movement. Movement above about 0.05 mm points to soft foot: correct it with shims before aligning.

   Measurement15 min

   Tools: Dial indicator with magnetic base, stainless shims

5. 5

   Align roughly

   Bring the shafts roughly in line with a straight edge and feeler gauges across the coupling halves, so that the precision tools stay within their range.

   Action15 min

   Tools: Straight edge, feeler gauges

6. 6

   Measure and correct precisely

   Measure angular and offset misalignment in the vertical and horizontal planes with reverse dial indicators or a laser system. Correct the vertical plane with shims first, then the horizontal plane, until within the coupling or manufacturer tolerance for the running speed.

   Measurement45 min

   Tools: Laser alignment system or dial indicators, shims, jacking bolts

7. 7

   Tighten the feet in sequence and recheck

   Tighten the motor feet to the specified torque in a crosswise sequence, then measure again: tightening often shifts the alignment.

   Verification15 min

   Tools: Torque wrench

8. 8

   Record the final values

   Record the final angular and offset values in both planes, the shims added and the soft foot readings, so the next check can be compared.

   Action5 min
9. 9

   Refit the coupling guard

   Refit the guard with all its fixings and check that it does not touch the coupling.

   Action10 min
10. 10

    Restore the pump set

    Remove the locks following your lockout procedure and reopen the suction and discharge valves in the order your operating procedure requires.

    Action10 min
11. 11

    Run and check vibration

    Start the pump, measure vibration on the motor and pump bearings and compare with the previous readings and acceptance limits. Check bearing temperature after it stabilises.

    Measurement15 min

    Tools: Vibration meter, infrared thermometer

    Risks: Keep clear of the coupling while the pump runs.

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