Why does the device need to be level?
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Today our equipment has been installed and we’re adjusting it to be level. It suddenly occurred to me a very basic question: why does the equipment need to be leveled? What consequences would arise if it weren’t leveled? Are the consequences the same for moving equipment and stationary equipment? If anyone knows the answer, please share your insights
It’s a very basic issue; determining the level of the equipment is done in order to establish a reference point. Some aspects relate to the installation of components as well as issues related to process piping.
For rotating moving equipment, leveling is done to ensure dynamic balance accuracy; for reciprocating moving equipment, it is done to ensure the verticality or levelness of the reciprocating components； For static equipment, it is to ensure that the center of gravity coincides with the centroid
It’s actually not easy to answer what seems like a simple question. For example, try installing a submersible pump horizontally; sometimes, determining levelness is meant to help ensure verticality
Especially for rotating equipment, it’s important to determine the correct center of gravity; otherwise, it will hinder the proper operation of the equipment. The requirements for stationary equipment are less strict, but aesthetics still need to be taken into account – you can’t just have each piece of equipment tilted, right?
The equipment must be installed horizontally; since it is a moving device, its dynamic balance in various parts has been carefully calculated during manufacturing. If the equipment tilts while in operation, its overall dynamic balance will be disrupted and its center of gravity will shift, which can cause immeasurable damage to both the equipment and human safety! As for stationary equipment, such as a container, if it is tilted, the center of gravity of the medium inside it will also shift during normal operation, which increases the local load on the equipment and can lead to accidents!