What is BS EN IEC 60034-14-Measuring the vibration severity of rotating electrical machines about?
BS EN IEC 60034-14 is a standard that serves technical specifications for measuring the vibration severity of rotating electrical machines that ensures the safety and longevity of rotating electrical machines.
BS EN IEC 60034-14 specifies the factory acceptance vibration test procedures and vibration limits for certain electrical machines under specified conditions when uncoupled from any load or prime mover.
BS EN IEC, 60034-14, applies to DC and three-phase AC machines, with shaft heights 56 mm and higher and a rated output up to 50 MW, at operational speeds from 120 min–1 up to and including 15000 min–1.
Note: BS EN IEC 60034-14 does not apply to machines mounted on-site such as -
- Three-phase commutator motors
- Single-phase machines and three-phase machines operated on single-phase machines
- Vertical waterpower generators, turbine generators greater than 20 MW
- Machines with magnetic bearings or series-wound machines
Who is BS EN IEC 60034-14- Measuring the vibration severity of rotating electrical machines for?
BS EN IEC 60034-14 on measuring the vibration severity of rotating electrical machines applies to:
- Manufacturers of rotating electrical machines
- Dealers and importers of rotating electrical machines
- Testing houses and labs for rotating electrical machines
- Safety assurance services for electrical machines
Why should you use BS EN IEC 60034-14- Measuring the vibration severity of rotating electrical machines?
The stator, rotor, and the air gap between them make up a rotating electrical machine. Windings exist on the stator and rotor. The stem connects the rotor to the motor and any additional loads. Measurement quantities are the vibration displacement and vibration velocity at the machine bearings and the relative shaft vibration displacement within or near the machine bearings.
BS EN IEC 60034-14 provides you guidance on measurement quantities, measurement equipment, machine mounting, conditions of measurement, limits of bearing housing vibration and limits of relative shaft vibration that ensure the operational stability, safety, and longevity of rotating electrical machines.
BS EN IEC 60034-14 provides you guidance on machine mounting, including free suspension, rigid mounting, foundation, horizontal machines, vertical machines that allow you to ensure the stability of machines as the vibration of the electrical machine is closely linked to the mounting of the machine.
Guidance in BS EN IEC 60034-14 enables you to measure and evaluate vibration severity, ensuring the structural integrity and operational stability of rotating electrical machines.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS EN IEC 60034-14:2018 supersedes BS EN 60034‑14:2004, which is now withdrawn.
Changes in BS EN IEC 60034-14:2018 include -
- 2 is significantly changed to better explain the definition “free suspension”
- 3: The second method of rigid mount is added since the first method is not always possible on the test floor
- 1: An improved option for shaft key is defined
- Clause 8: Considerable effort to harmonize with NEMA MG 1 and IEEE 841 and API 541, and also establish levels that are achievable and more in line with best practices.
- Table 1 is reduced to two shaft-height range sections.
- 2: Definition of twice line frequency simplified along with Figure 7 added.

