Vibration measurement to DIN ISO 10816 explained
Vibration measurement reveals bearing damage, imbalance and misalignment on rotating machines before they cause a breakdown. This guide explains the key values under DIN ISO 10816, the right sensors and measuring points, and how to judge results against limit zones.
View vibration metersWhich values do you measure on machines?
On rotating machines the condition is judged by three quantities: displacement, velocity and acceleration. DIN ISO 10816 is based on the RMS value of vibration velocity vrms in mm/s, measured across the 10 to 1000 Hz band.
Displacement (µm) captures low-frequency effects such as imbalance, velocity (mm/s) reflects the broadband overall condition, and acceleration (g or m/s²) shows high-frequency impacts from rolling bearings and gearing. For the overall rating under ISO 10816, velocity is the governing value.
- Displacement s in µm: visible with imbalance and low speeds.
- Velocity vrms in mm/s: the lead value of ISO 10816.
- Acceleration a in g: early indicator of bearing and gear damage.
- Broadband range 10‑1000 Hz, up to 10 kHz on small machines.
How does DIN ISO 10816 rate the condition?
The standard groups machines by power and foundation and maps the measured vrms value to four rating zones. Zone A is the as-new state, Zone D means damage with a risk of breakdown.
More testing equipment for maintenance and assembly at a glance.
To the guideHow to measure correctly - sensors and points?
Measure directly on the bearing housing in three directions: horizontal, vertical and axial. The sensor must couple firmly, because a loose probe distorts exactly the high frequencies that matter for bearing diagnosis.
- Always use the same points and directions for comparable trends.
- Point close to the bearing, on bare metal, not on sheet or paint.
- Piezo accelerometer for a wide band; the meter integrates to vrms.
- Imbalance shows at 1x running frequency, misalignment often at 2x.
- Rolling-bearing damage produces typical shock pulses and high-frequency content.
Frequently asked questions
Why is velocity the lead value?
Vibration velocity vrms judges the broadband overall condition across 10 to 1000 Hz and correlates well with mechanical load. That is why DIN ISO 10816 uses it as the basis for the rating zones.
How do I tell imbalance from bearing damage?
Imbalance dominates at the 1x running frequency and shows mainly radially. Rolling-bearing damage creates high-frequency shock pulses and acceleration peaks that appear in the acceleration signal and the envelope spectrum.
How often should I measure?
Critical machines are measured weekly to monthly on a fixed route, depending on load. What matters is the trend at the same points, not the single value.
Which applies today, ISO 10816 or 20816?
DIN ISO 20816 supersedes 10816 and combines it with shaft measurement 7919. Rating zones and limits stay the same in substance, so existing readings remain comparable.
Looking for the right vibration meter?
We supply vibrometers and accelerometers for condition monitoring - with rating to DIN ISO 10816 and matching accessories.
Standards-based
Rating to DIN ISO 10816 and 20816.
Wide band
Sensors from 10 Hz to over 10 kHz.
Trend-ready
Reproducible points for clear trends.
Expert advice
Specialists help with sensor and route choice.