Engineering English
Rotor Imbalance
Mechanical Engineering · Last updated: July 30, 2026 · How this entry was written
Definition: Rotor imbalance refers to a condition where the mass distribution of a rotating component is not uniform around its axis of rotation. This causes centrifugal forces that generate vibration and can lead to premature bearing or shaft failure.
Example in context
“After balancing, the rotor imbalance was reduced from 20 g·mm to below 2 g·mm, meeting the ISO 1940 standard for the turbine.”
“Balans yapıldıktan sonra rotor dengesizliği 20 g·mm'den 2 g·mm'nin altına düşürülerek türbin için ISO 1940 standardını karşıladı.”
Where engineers use it
Rotor imbalance is a primary cause of vibration in rotating machinery. Engineers detect it using vibration analysis and correct it via balancing procedures during assembly, maintenance, or troubleshooting to avoid bearing and seal damage.
Synonyms: unbalance, mass imbalance
Antonyms: rotor balance
Practice: can you use “Rotor Imbalance” at work?
A pump shows high 1X vibration after overhaul. A junior engineer is asked to interpret the spectrum and suggest whether the issue is rotor imbalance or misalignment.
Show a model answer
“We need to measure the rotor imbalance before reinstalling the impeller.”
“Rotor Imbalance” in 21 languages
| English | Rotor Imbalance |
|---|---|
| Turkish | rotor dengesizliği |
| French | déséquilibre du rotor |
| German | Rotorumwucht |
| Spanish | desequilibrio del rotor |
| Chinese | 转子不平衡 |
| Arabic | عدم توازن الدوار |
| Portuguese | desequilíbrio do rotor |
| Russian | дисбаланс ротора |
| Japanese | ロータアンバランス |
| Italian | sbilanciamento del rotore |
| Vietnamese | mất cân bằng rôto |
| Hindi | रोटर असंतुलन |
| Thai | ความไม่สมดุลของโรเตอร์ |
| Indonesian | ketidakseimbangan rotor |
| Korean | 로터 불균형 |
| Bengali | রটার ভারসাম্যহীনতা |
| Dutch | rotor-onbalans |
| Swedish | rotorobalans |
| Finnish | roottorin epätasapaino |
| Ukrainian | дисбаланс ротора |
Frequently asked questions
What does Rotor Imbalance mean in engineering?
Rotor imbalance refers to a condition where the mass distribution of a rotating component is not uniform around its axis of rotation. This causes centrifugal forces that generate vibration and can lead to premature bearing or shaft failure. In Mechanical Engineering, the term carries a usage-frequency rating of 10/10 in the Engineering English library.
How do you pronounce Rotor Imbalance?
Rotor Imbalance is pronounced /ˈroʊtər ɪmˈbæləns/ (IPA). The Engineering English app plays audio for the term and checks your pronunciation with speech recognition.
How is Rotor Imbalance used in a sentence?
Example from an engineering context: “After balancing, the rotor imbalance was reduced from 20 g·mm to below 2 g·mm, meeting the ISO 1940 standard for the turbine.”
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