Abstract: In order to provide experimental and theoretical reference for diagnosing faults in vertical centrifugal pumps, a simulated test bench for vertical centrifugal pumps was constructed, after which simulated reproduction tests of typical faults in vertical centrifugal pumps were conducted, and the vibration characteristics together with spectrum features of faults such as rotor unbalance, rotor misalignment, as well as pedestal looseness were analyzed. The results indicate that the vibration displacement signal at the foot of the machine is more sensitive to the vibration characteristics of pedestal looseness, while the vibration signal of the shaft system is more sensitive to the vibration characteristics of rotor faults. Rotor unbalance faults and rotor misalignment faults exhibit different spectrum features. The spectrum feature of rotor unbalance faults shows an increase in the amplitude of the 1× amplitude power frequency（1APF）, and as the fault severity increases, the amplitude gradually decreases. The spectrum feature of rotor misalignment faults shows the generation of a new characteristic frequency, which is the 2× amplitude power frequency（2APF）, and as the fault severity increases, the signal amplitude gradually increases. Pedestal looseness faults are manifested by the main frequency in the spectrum shifting to 3× amplitude power frequency（3APF）, along with the appearance of new 2APF and 1/2 fractional harmonic frequencies.