What Is Vibration?
The vibration test is a test in which the specimen is exposed on a shaker to vibration at a defined frequency, amplitude and duration, evaluating structural strength and continuity of function. Sine, random and mixed profiles are used.
Purpose of Vibration
The purpose is to represent, in an accelerated manner, the vibration the product will experience during transport and on its operating platform, and to verify its resistance.
Which Products Is Vibration Applied To?
- Battery cells, modules and packages
- Aerospace avionics units
- Defence and rail equipment
- Marine electronics
- Packaged shipment products
In Which Sectors Is Vibration Used?
Standards Related to Vibration
- IEC 60068-2-6sine vibration test test
- IEC 60068-2-64random vibration test test
- UN 38.3 T.3
- MIL-STD-810 Method 514
- RTCA DO-160 Section 8
- IEC 61373vibration and shock in railway vehicle equipment test
- ISO 16750-3mechanical loads on vehicle equipment test
- IEC 60945maritime navigational and radio communications equipment test
- Marine Equipment DirectiveEU ship equipment directive test
- IMO RequirementsInternational Maritime Organization requirements test
- SOLAS EquipmentEquipment covered by the safety of life at sea convention test
Vibration Conditions
- Profile
- Sine sweep, random, or sine-on-random; defined in the specification
- UN 38.3 T.3
- Sine sweep from 7 Hz to 200 Hz, three hours per axis
- Axis
- Generally separately in three perpendicular axes
- Time
- Duration per axis as defined in the specification
Equipment for Vibration
- Electrodynamic shaker and power amplifier
- Accelerometers and vibration control system
- Mounting fixture
- Explosion-protected arrangement (in battery tests)
- Function-monitoring system
Sample Requirements for Vibration
- The specimen must be mounted with a fixture representing the actual installation method
- Fixture resonance must lie outside the test band
- The specimen must be fully charged in battery tests
- Function must be checked before and after the test
Duration of Vibration
Owing to the defined duration per axis and three axes, the total duration is generally several days.
Vibration Procedure
- 1The specimen is mounted on the fixture and accelerometers are placed.
- 2A resonance search is performed to identify critical frequencies.
- 3The specification profile is loaded and control is verified.
- 4Vibration is applied for the defined duration in each axis.
- 5Function and physical condition are checked during and after the test.
- 6Voltage and temperature are monitored in battery tests.
Vibration Acceptance Criteria
The acceptance criterion is defined in the specification: no structural damage, no loosening of connections, and continuity of function. In battery tests, the absence of leakage, fire and explosion is also required.
Evaluation of Results
The pre- and post-test resonance searches are compared; a frequency shift indicates structural loosening. Visual inspection and the function test are evaluated together.
Vibration Report
- Applied standard and profile
- Frequency range, amplitude/PSD and duration
- Axis information and fixture description
- Resonance search results
- Function status and visual inspection
Accreditation
EUROLAB holds internationally recognised accreditation obtained from accreditation bodies party to the IAF and ILAC multilateral recognition arrangements, under ISO/IEC 17025 for laboratory testing, ISO/IEC 17020 for inspection and surveillance, and ISO/IEC 17021-1 and ISO/IEC 17065 for system and product certification. This chain ensures the reports and certificates issued are accepted worldwide.
Whether this test can be offered within accredited scope depends on your product and the standard applied; since accreditation is method-based, the scope is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.
Scope and authorisationsRelated Regulations
- UN 38.3 (battery transport)
- UNECE R100
- Aerospace and rail equipment requirements
Denizcilik Testleri — What Does This Testing Field Cover?
The section below describes the field that the Vibration test belongs to; the conditions and acceptance criteria of this particular test are given in the sections above. The scope specific to your product is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.
Marine testing shows that equipment used on board withstands the marine environment and shipboard operating conditions. The character of the environment is decisive: continuous salt-laden humidity, rolling and pitching, engine-borne vibration, limited opportunity for maintenance and the difficulty of evacuation in the event of a failure.
The most distinctive aspect of the field is the CONSEQUENCE OF FAILURE. A device that fails ashore is replaced; a navigation device that fails at sea means the ship does not know its position. Durability expectations and the certification burden for marine equipment are therefore markedly higher than for comparable equipment ashore.
Navigation and communication equipment is assessed under IEC 60945; this standard carries environmental durability, EMC and functional requirements together and distinguishes categories according to where the equipment will be mounted on board: protected, exposed deck and submerged categories are subject to different requirements.
On the digital interface side the IEC 61162 series is used. This is the body of protocols enabling devices on the bridge to talk to one another; in integrated bridge systems it must be shown that data exchange between devices works correctly.
On the shipboard electrical installation side the IEC 60092 series applies: cable types, installation rules, protection coordination and fire behaviour. Flame spread and halogen-free construction carry particular weight for cables on board, because smoke in an enclosed space directly obstructs evacuation.
On the shock side, naval vessels carry their own regime: the MIL-S-901 high-impact shock test simulates the effect of an underwater explosion. Testing at this scale is not required for civil ships, but vibration and inclination/roll tests are standard.
On the regulatory side the Marine Equipment Directive (MED) is decisive: equipment within scope carries the "wheelmark" and this is a regime SEPARATE from CE. Behind the requirements stand the SOLAS convention and International Maritime Organization resolutions; the scope list is updated regularly.
Classification societies add a second layer. DNV, Lloyd's Register, ABS, Bureau Veritas and similar bodies issue their own type approvals; a shipyard usually requires both the wheelmark and the relevant class approval. The two processes do not substitute for one another.
Method groups in this field
Environmental durability
Temperature, humidity, salt fog, vibration, rain and immersion under IEC 60945; levels according to the mounting category.
Electromagnetic compatibility
The EMC sections of IEC 60945; emission and immunity requirements specific to the shipboard environment.
Mechanical
Vibration, shock, inclination and roll tests; MIL-S-901 high-impact shock for naval vessels.
Electrical installation
Cable and installation requirements under the IEC 60092 series; cable fire behaviour and halogen-free construction.
Digital interface
Data interface conformity under the IEC 61162 series and integrated bridge system compatibility.
Fire safety
Reaction to fire, smoke and toxicity for shipboard interior materials; fire resistance for hoses and penetrations.
Commonly confused in this field
- The wheelmark is not the CE marking; it is a different regulatory regime with its own scope list.
- MED approval and classification society type approval do not substitute for one another; a shipyard usually requires both.
- The IEC 60945 category selection depends on the mounting location; an approval obtained for a protected area is not valid for an exposed deck.
- An approval obtained for a civil ship does not satisfy naval shock requirements.
- An onshore EMC report is not sufficient for marine use; IEC 60945 defines its own limits and set-ups.
- Scope lists are updated; equipment once outside the scope may later fall within it.
Which decisions these results support
- Marine equipment type approval and the wheelmark
- Classification society type approval
- Compliance with shipbuilding and shipyard procurement specifications
- Shock qualification in naval programmes
- Verification of integrated bridge system compatibility
Related Tests
Frequently Asked Questions About Vibration
According to which standard is Vibration made?
Vibration is executed in scope IEC 60068-2-6, IEC 60068-2-64, UN 38.3 T.3, MIL-STD-810 Method 514, RTCA DO-160 Section 8, IEC 61373 and ISO 16750-3. The limit values and acceptance criteria to be applied are defined in the product standard; The version valid for your product is confirmed in writing at the offer stage.
Which products does Vibration apply to?
Mainly applied to Battery cells, modules and packages, Aerospace avionics units, Defence and rail equipment, Marine electronics and Packaged shipment products. Whether your product is included in the scope is determined by examining its technical specifications and intended use.
Under what conditions is Vibration done?
The determining parameters are: Profile — Sine sweep, random, or sine-on-random; defined in the specification, UN 38.3 T.3 — Sine sweep from 7 Hz to 200 Hz, three hours per axis and Axis — Generally separately in three perpendicular axes. The full terms are in the "Test Conditions" section on the page and vary depending on the product standard.
What kind of sample is needed for Vibration?
The specimen must be mounted with a fixture representing the actual installation method, Fixture resonance must lie outside the test band and The specimen must be fully charged in battery tests. The number of samples is determined according to the product standard and the scope to be reported.
How long does Vibration take?
Owing to the defined duration per axis and three axes, the total duration is generally several days. This duration belongs to the experiment itself; sample preparation, queuing and reporting are also evaluated. A realistic schedule for your product is given in the offer.
What is the Vibration result called "appropriate"?
The acceptance criterion is defined in the specification: no structural damage, no loosening of connections, and continuity of function. In battery tests, the absence of leakage, fire and explosion is also required.