Spectral vibration analysis using FFT for fault diagnosis in induction motors

Authors

  • Hilton Albuquerque Sanches Author
  • Ilmar Duartes dos Reis Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.69849/rp6tck84

Keywords:

FFT, Induction motors, Mechanical vibration, Fault diagnosis, Predictive

Abstract

The operational reliability of industrial systems depends significantly on the proper monitoring of three-phase induction motors, as these devices are responsible for driving a large portion of production processes. However, faults such as bearing damage, broken rotor bars, and misalignments can compromise efficiency and productivity, making it essential to adopt predictive strategies for early fault detection. In this context, this study aimed to investigate the application of the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) to vibration and electrical current signals for fault diagnosis in induction motors. The methodology consisted of experiments conducted in a controlled laboratory environment using three three-phase induction motors (one under normal conditions, one with a simulated bearing fault, and another with a simulated rotor fault). Vibration sensors (piezoelectric accelerometers) and a Hall-effect current sensor were employed, with data acquisition at 10 kHz. The collected signals were processed in the MATLAB environment, applying the FFT with a Hanning window, 16,384 points, and 50% overlap. The results demonstrated that the FFT is capable of identifying specific spectral patterns for each type of fault, highlighting characteristic peaks such as 150 Hz harmonics in damaged bearings and 25 Hz in rotors with broken bars. It is concluded that spectral analysis using FFT is an effective technique for diagnosing faults in induction motors and can be enhanced by artificial intelligence techniques to increase diagnostic robustness and enable its application under real industrial operating conditions.

References

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Published

2026-03-18

How to Cite

Sanches, H. A., & Reis, I. D. dos. (2026). Spectral vibration analysis using FFT for fault diagnosis in induction motors. Revista Ft, 30(156), 01-15. https://doi.org/10.69849/rp6tck84