In General Contexts
In general, “Imbalance” and “Unbalance” are often used interchangeably, especially in the context of machine or electric motor vibrations, but there is a slight difference in the usage of the words.
Comparison Table:
| Term | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Unbalance | A technical term commonly used in mechanical and engineering contexts. It refers to a condition where the mass center of a rotating object is not aligned with its rotational axis. This term is used in standards and vibration analysis. |
| Imbalance | A more general English word that can refer to any lack of balance, including non-technical contexts (e.g., hormonal imbalance, mental imbalance). It’s less precise in mechanical applications. |
In Engineering Contexts (e.g., Electric Motors or Rotating Machines):
- “Unbalance” is the correct technical term used in ISO standards, vibration diagnostics, and predictive maintenance.
- For example, ISO 1940 (for rotor balancing) uses the term unbalance exclusively.
So, In mechanical engineering and vibration analysis, always use “Unbalance” rather than “Imbalance”.