The condition of industrial bearings is assessed on the basis of temperature and vibration. Equipment is shut down if thresholds are exceeded, if there is an abnormal increase in readings, or if squeaking or knocking is detected; regular monitoring prevents costly downtime.
Bearings, as the unsung heroes of industrial equipment, operate round the clock, and their temperature and vibration are key indicators of their condition. Equipment must be shut down when these parameters exceed the permissible thresholds set by the manufacturer, or when they rise rapidly for no apparent reason, signalling that the component is about to fail.
The bearing temperature reflects the balance between rotational friction and heat dissipation; a gradual rise within the normal range is natural, whilst a sudden spike indicates a lubrication fault or damage to the raceways. Vibration arises from minute irregularities in the contacting surfaces, and its abnormal components are the first signs of incipient defects that are not yet visible externally.
General standards for most steel bearings stipulate that operation must be halted when the temperature exceeds 90 degrees Celsius, or when the temperature rises by more than 10 degrees per hour without any increase in the load on the equipment. With regard to vibration, a level exceeding the permissible values by more than 30 per cent relative to the baseline figures measured during normal operation of a new bearing is considered critical.
Even if the temperature and vibration do not reach the absolute thresholds, a steady linear increase in these parameters over the course of several shifts is a warning sign. Such a trend indicates progressive bearing failure, and ignoring this sign will lead to the sudden failure of the entire unit, resulting in costly repairs and production downtime.
Regardless of the current measurement readings, the equipment must be stopped immediately if a characteristic squeaking or grinding noise is heard from the bearing area, or if there is a sudden surge in vibration accompanied by periodic impacts. These signs indicate critical damage to the separator or the flaking off of fragments from the raceways; if operation continues, the component may seize up completely and damage adjacent assemblies.
To detect dangerous changes in good time, temperature and vibration measurements must be carried out at set intervals, the readings recorded in a log and compared with previous results. This approach makes it possible to monitor trends in the condition of the bearing in advance, plan for the replacement of the component during scheduled maintenance, and avoid unplanned, costly production line downtime.
