CurrentInsulating Bearings Schaeffler Group（CurrentInsulating轴承舍弗勒集团）.pdf

Current-Insulating Bearings Rolling bearings for prevention of damage due to current passage Foreword Damage due to current Current passage can occur in the use of rolling bearings in: passage and its consequences ■ wheelsets and traction motors (rail vehicles) ■ direct current and alternating current motors (power transmission) ■ generators (wind power). Under unfavourable conditions, this causes damage to raceways and rolling elements as well as degradation of the lubricant and thus to premature, unexpected failure of a motor or generator. In addition to the repair work required, this incurs additional costs due to machine downtime and lost production. It is significantly more cost-effective to provide for the use of electrically insulated bearings at the planning stage. As a result, customer benefit is increased through reduced maintenance costs and higher machine availability. Normally, it is sufficient to interrupt the circuit between the housing and shaft in order, depending on the application, to insert current- insulating bearings at one or both bearing positions, Figure 1. 1