BEARING DEFECT FREQUENCIES

Introduction One of the most common and reliable techniques for detecting rolling element bearing problems is the Demodulation or Enveloping technique. This technique is derived from demodulating the high resonant frequency created by the impacts which are generated by the interactions between the rolling element and the defects such as pittings on raceways. The envelope that is obtained from the demodulation process will thus be analysed in the frequency domain. The demodulated spectrum will highlight the bearing defect frequencies which will not be buried under running speed harmonics and low frequency components. This technique has also been successfully applied to low speed machinery to detect rolling element defects. Bearing Defect Frequencies The following are the expected bearing defect characteristic frequencies for the respective type of bearing faults. Bearing Defect Frequencies Type of Defect Expected Frequency

Defect on Outer Raceway (BPFO)

Defect on Inner Raceway (BPFI)

Defect on Rolling Element (2xBPF)

Fundamental Train Frequency (FTF)

Legend

f = Rotational speed of Inner Race (usually the running speed) n = Number of rolling elements C = Cage diameter or the PCD B = Rolling element diameter

Case Example 1 Bearing raceway defect was diagnosed on a forced draft fan in a coal mine at the fan outboard bearing. The following figure shows strong evidence of the harmonics of the bearing outer raceway defect frequencies (BPFO) with running speed sidebands.

The indication of sidebands around the harmonics of the bearing defect frequency is evidence of severe defects in the bearing. In analysing the demodulated spectrum, the absolute amplitude level has no meaning. The level of noise floor and the relative amplitude between the peaks of defect frequency and the mean noise floor indicates the severity. Last update 22 Feb 1996