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The Real Cost of Bearing Failure in Electric Motors
Stray electrical currents and surface damage are two of the leading causes of premature bearing failure, especially in VFD-driven motors.
Electric motors have evolved to become more efficient, more controllable, and more widely used than ever. They are the most common mechanical device in the world. With the increasing use of variable frequency drives (VFDs), operating conditions have become even more demanding, placing increased demands on critical components like bearings.
Stray electrical currents, always present in electric motors, have become more significant with VFD-driven operation. At the same time, bearings must perform under challenging lubrication conditions, including exposure to contamination from the surrounding environment, while electrical effects and operating conditions can lead to surface damage and wear.
SKF CeraDrive brings the electrical insulation, lubrication performance, and resistance to surface damage of hybrid ceramic bearings to more electric motors.
Inside the Hybrid Construction
Two materials, engineered to work together, built into one bearing.
Steel Rings, Ceramic Rolling Elements
Built with a combination of hardened steel rings and silicon nitride rolling elements, SKF hybrid bearings protect against electrical erosion, reduce wear, and maintain performance under high-speed and poor lubrication conditions. This leads to longer bearing service life and greater reliability across the entire motor system.
Steel Rings
- Mechanical strength
- Load-carrying capacity
- Durability
- Compatibility with existing motor designs
Ceramic Rolling Elements
- Non-conductive
- Low mass
- Smooth surface finish
- Exceptional hardness
The hybrid construction not only protects against electrical damage but also enhances overall bearing performance. The hardness and smoothness of SKF hybrid ceramic bearings reduce friction by up to 50%, enabling higher operating speeds and extending grease life by up to eight times.
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Backed by SKF's Testing, Modeling, and Vertically Integrated Manufacturing
The performance of hybrid ceramic bearings is well established and supported by extensive testing and SKF's advanced modelling capabilities, including the SKF Generalized Bearing Life Model (GBLM), which enables more accurate predictions of bearing rating life in real operating conditions. Producing high-quality ceramic rolling elements is a technically demanding process, so SKF manages every step, from sourcing raw materials to producing silicon nitride balls and assembling the bearing, to control the full value chain.
- SKF Generalized Bearing Life Model (GBLM) for accurate rating-life predictions in real operating conditions
- Backed by extensive testing of hybrid ceramic bearing performance
- End-to-end control of the value chain, from raw materials to the finished bearing
- Consistent quality, reliable lead times, and greater availability