Effect of Harmful Bearing Currents on the Service Life of Rolling Bearings

From Experimental Investigations to a Predictive Model

authored by

Volker Schneider, Marius Krewer, Gerhard Poll, Max Marian

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of harmful bearing currents on the service life of rolling bearings and introduces a model to predict service life as a function of surface roughness. Harmful bearing currents, resulting from electrical discharges, can cause significant surface damage, reducing the operational lifespan of bearings. This study involves comprehensive experiments to quantify the extent of electrical stress caused by these currents. For this purpose, four series of tests with different electrical stress levels were carried out and the results of their service lives were compared with each other. Additionally, a novel model to correlate the service life of rolling bearings with varying degrees of surface roughness caused by electrical discharges was developed. The basis is the internationally recognized method of DIN ISO 281, which was extended in the context of this study. The findings show that the surface roughness continues to increase as the electrical load increases. In theory, this in turn leads to a deterioration in lubrication conditions and a reduction in service life.

Organisation(s)

Institute of Machine Elements and Engineering Design

Type

Article

Journal

Lubricants

Volume

12

ISSN

2075-4442

Publication date

21.06.2024

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Mechanical Engineering, Surfaces, Coatings and Films

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, SDG 13 - Climate Action

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants12070230 (Access: Open)