Electrically insulated bearings from SKF

Virtually eliminate the dama

The problem of stray the rolling element surfaces († fig. 1). The
electric current bearing heat, which is generated by the discharges,
causes local melting that creates small craters
damage and changes in the structure of the metal. As
a result of this initial damage, a “washboard
When a stray current in an electric motor pattern” may be found on the raceways and
uses a bearing as its path to ground, bearing rolling elements (for roller bearings)
damage can occur. The most common causes († fig. 2). This secondary damage is wear
of stray electric currents are: asymmetry caused by the dynamic effect of the rolling
in the motor’s magnetic circuit, unshielded elements when they roll over the smaller
power cables, and fast switching pulse width craters. Current discharges also cause the
modulated (PWM) frequency converters used lubricant in the bearing to change its compos-
in modern variable frequency drives (VFDs). ition, degrade rapidly and fail prematurely
The increasing popularity of VFDs is directly († fig. 3).
linked to the increase in electric current Once bearing damage from electric erosion
related bearing damage. has begun, increased noise levels, reduced
When an electric current passes through effectiveness of the lubricant, increased heat
the bearing it can cause micro-cratering in and finally excessive vibration, all contribute
the raceways of inner and outer rings and on to drastically decrease bearing service life.

Stray electric currents can occur almost anywhere

from windmills to papermills


ging effects of stray electric currents
Total cost of SKF insulated bearing solution
relative to other insulation approaches
A cost-effective solution • increases machine uptime
• reduces maintenance costs
To overcome this problem, SKF has developed • provides an economical solution when
two electrically insulating rolling bearing solu- compared with other insulation solutions
tions: SKF® hybrid bearings and INSOCOAT® • global availability.
bearings. The solution one chooses depends
on the severity and cause of the stray electric
current and size of the bearing. In either case, Recommended range
SKF hybrid bearings and INSOCOAT bearings
provide a number of bene­fits SKF has defined a recommended range of
INSOCOAT and hybrid bearings specifically for
• two functions in one solution: electric motors and generators. This range
– a bearing function enables fast and secure delivery around the
Housing insulation
– electrical insulation globe. including bearing
• virtually eliminates premature bearing Shaft insulation
failures caused by stray electric currents including bearing

SKF insulation solution

Fluting or washboard pattern

Micro-cratering A pattern of lines (fluting) across the raceways can
Micro-cratering is the result of electric current pas- be a sign that current has passed through the bearing. Grease-blackening
sage in bearings. The damaged surface appears dull Fluting is not primary damage resulting from stray Electric discharges cause the base oil in the lubricant
and is characterized by small craters of a few microns electric currents but is secondary damage that to burn and harden to create a poor lubrication
in diameter. becomes visible over time. condition.

Fig. 1 Fig. 2 Fig. 3



INSOCOAT

An INSOCOAT bearing is a very economical INSOCOAT bearings with coated inner

solution when compared with other insulation ring
methods that protect a bearing against elec- Bearings with an electrically insulating coat-
tric current passage. By integrating the elec- ing on the external surfaces of the inner ring
trical insulation function into the bearing, provide enhanced protection against electric
SKF has been able to increase reliability and current damage. The enhanced protection
machine uptime by virtually eliminating the results from the increased impedance due to
damaging effects of stray electric currents. the smaller coated surface area. Bearings
with a coated inner ring are identified by the
suffix VL2071 and are recommended for
INSOCOAT bearing designs larger size motors (typically from bearing sizes
6226, 6324 sizes and larger), or other appli-
The standard range of INSOCOAT bearings in cations where the bearings risk being subject-
the most frequently used sizes and variants ed to high shaft voltages.
are available from stock as

• single row deep groove ball bearings Technical features

• single row cylindrical roller bearings.
and benefits
The performance data as well as the dimen- • The coating is applied using a plasma-
sional and running accuracy of INSOCOAT spray technique. Sophisticated pre- and
bearings are identical to standard non- post- application processes yield an out-
insulated bearings. standing coating quality.
• INSOCOAT bearings are treated with a
INSOCOAT bearings with coated outer unique sealant to guard against humidity
ring and water from penetrating the coating
Bearings with an electrically insulating coat- and reducing its effectiveness.
ing on the external surfaces of the outer ring • Due to the quality of the application and
are the most common INSOCOAT bearings. finishing processes, INSOCOAT bearings
They are identified by the suffix VL0241. provide reliable and consistent insulation,
Outer ring coated INSOCOAT bearings are that is virtually insensitive to heat, moisture
recommended for medium size motors, that and chemicals.
use 6215, 6313 size bearings and larger. For • SKF can supply values for relevant electric
applications where smaller bearings are used, parameters for the bearings (capacitance,
SKF recommends hybrid deep groove ball impedance) to optimize the insulating solu-
bearings. tion for any application.
• INSOCOAT bearings are environmentally
friendly.
• INSOCOAT bearings with an outer ring
coating are suitable for all types of hous-
ings. No additional mounting precautions
are necessary.


Dimensions Cages Design of associated
The boundary dimensions of INSOCOAT deep Depending on the bearing type and size,
components
groove ball bearings and cylindrical roller INSOCOAT bearings are equipped with one of To maximize the effects of the insulating
bearings are in accordance with ISO 15:1998. the following cages properties of INSOCOAT bearings, SKF rec-
ommends the following:
• a riveted cage of pressed steel, no designa-
Tolerances and fits tion suffix, or • For bearings with a coated outer ring
• a two-piece machined brass cage, rolling designation suffix VL0241, the housing
INSOCOAT bearings are produced to Normal element centred, designation suffix M. shoulder or spacer sleeve should not have
tolerances. Some deep groove ball bearings a diameter smaller than the abutment
are also available with higher accuracy to tol- dimension Da min listed in the assortment
erance class P5. Electrical properties tables. For VL0246 abutment dimensions,
The aluminium-oxide layer applied either contact SKF.
to the external outer ring surfaces or the INSOCOAT bearings provide effective protec- • For bearings with a coated inner ring desig-
external inner ring surfaces does not influ- tion against AC and DC currents. The specifi- nation suffix VL2071, the shaft shoulder or
ence running accuracy. cations for different variants are: spacer sleeve should not have a diameter
INSOCOAT bearings can be mounted with larger than the abutment dimension da
the same fit as a standard bearing in an elec- VL0241 Electrical resistance: min. 50 MW, max listed in the assortment tables. For
tric motor or generator, without risk of dam- breakdown voltage: max. operating VL2074 abutment dimensions, contact
aging the coating. Fits up to and including p6 voltage 1 000 V DC. SKF.
for inner ring coated variants and P6 for outer VL0246 Electrical resistance: > 150 MW,
ring coated variants can be applied. breakdown voltage: max. operating
voltage 3 000 V DC.
VL2071 Electrical resistance: min. 50 MW,
Internal clearance breakdown voltage: max. operating
voltage 1 000 V DC.
Standard INSOCOAT deep groove ball bear- VL2074 Electrical resistance: > 150 MW,
ings and cylindrical roller bearings are manu- breakdown voltage: max. operating
factured with the radial internal clearance to voltage 2 000 V DC.
the class shown in the bearing designation.
Before ordering, check the availability of bear-
ings with clearances other than standard.


The coating can be applied to either the outer or inner ring to provide
protection against electric current damage in bearings.
Designation suffix VL0241 or VL2071 respectively.



Hybrid bearings
– more than an insulator
Hybrid bearings have rings made of bearing Runs faster, lasts longer
steel and rolling elements made of bearing Combine the lower density of silicon nitride
grade silicon nitride (Si3N4). Because silicon with its lower coefficient of friction, high hard-
nitride is such an excellent insulator, hybrid ness and the fact that silicon nitride will not
bearings can be used effectively to insulate smear the raceways under poor lubrication
the housing from the shaft in both AC and DC conditions, and the result is a bearing that will
motors, as well as in generators. run faster and longer even under the most
In addition to being an excellent insulator, difficult operating conditions.
hybrid bearings have higher speed capabilities
and will provide longer bearing service life Resists false brinelling
under the same operating conditions than If a stationary bearing is subjected to vibra-
a similarly sized all-steel bearing. tions there is a risk that “false brinelling” will
occur. False brinelling is the formation of
small indentations in the raceways that will
Features and benefits eventually lead to spalling and premature
bearing failure. In cases where steel balls
Lower density were replaced by ceramic balls the bearings
The density of a bearing grade silicon nitride were found to be much less susceptible to
rolling element is 60 % lower than a similarly false brinelling.
sized rolling element made from bearing steel. Hybrid bearings supplied with SKF wide
Less weight means lower inertia – and that temperature grease (WT) were found to sus-
translates into superior behaviour during rapid tain less false brinelling damage than bear-
starts and stops as well as higher speeds. ings containing other types of greases
(† diagram 1).
Lower friction
The lower density of a silicon nitride rolling
element combined with its low coefficient of
friction, significantly reduces bearing tempera-
tures at high speeds. Cooler running increases
the service life of both the bearing and the
lubricant. Diagram 1

“False brinelling” at 25 Hz
High hardness and high modulus
of elasticity Weight loss [mg]
The high degree of hardness of a silicon 
nitride rolling element means high wear-
resistance, increased bearing stiffness and 

longer bearing service life in contaminated 

environments.


Low coefficient of thermal expansion 

A silicon nitride rolling element has a lower

coefficient of thermal expansion than a simi-
larly sized rolling element made from bearing 
steel. This means less sensitivity to tempera- Ordinary WT
grease grease
ture gradients at high temperatures for better,
more accurate preload control. n All-steel bearings
n Hybrid bearings


Cages • a low-friction RSL seal, fitted to bearings
with an outside diameter ≤ 52 mm, desig-
Depending on their size, standard SKF hybrid nation suffix 2RSL
deep groove ball bearings are fitted with • a low-friction RZ seal, fitted to bearings
with an outside diameter > 52 mm, desig-
• an injection moulded snap-type cage of nation suffix 2RZ
glass fibre reinforced polyamide 6,6 or • an RS1 contact seal, fitted to bearings with
• a riveted pressed steel cage. an outside diameter ≥ 90 mm, designation
suffix 2RS1.
Hybrid bearings with a polyamide 6,6 cage
can be operated at temperatures up to All seals are made of acrylonitrile-butadi-
+ 120 °C (+250 °F). ene rubber (NBR) with sheet steel reinforce-
ment. The permissible operating temperature
Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) range for these seals is –40 to +100 °C (–40
The use of glass fibre reinforced PEEK cages to +210 °F) and up to +120 °C (+250 °F) for
is becoming more common for applications brief periods. For operating temperatures up
where there are high speeds or high tempera- to +180 °C (+355 °F), seals made from fluoro
tures. PEEK provides a superior combination rubber are available. For additional informa-
of strength and flexibility and does not show tion about these seals, contact the SKF appli-
signs of ageing due to high temperatures or cation engineering service.
oil additives. The maximum temperature for
high-speed use is limited to +150 °C (+300 °F)
as this is the softening temperature of the Lubrication
polymer. For additional information about
PEEK cages, contact the SKF application The standard sealed hybrid bearing is filled
engineering service. with a premium quality synthetic ester oil
based grease, containing a polyurea thickener
(designation suffix WT). This grease, which
Seals has an operating temperature range from
about +70 to +120 °C (+160 to +250 °F), has
The SKF standard range of hybrid bearings excellent lubrication properties and provides
for electric motors consists primarily of single extremely long service life.
row deep groove ball bearings. Sealed and Hybrid bearings perform extremely well
greased-for-life SKF hybrid deep groove ball under vibrating or oscillating conditions. It is
bearings are protected on both sides by therefore not usually necessary to use special
greases for these conditions.

Comparison of the material properties of bearing steel and bearing grade silicon nitride

Material properties Bearing Bearing grade

steel silicon nitride

Mechanical properties
Density (g/cm3) 7,9 3,2
Hardness, HV 10 (kg/mm²) 700 1 600
Modulus of elasticity (GPa) 210 310
Thermal expansion (10–6/K) 12 3

Electrical properties (at 1 MHz)

Electrical resistivity (Wm) 0,4 ¥ 10–6 1012
(conductor) (insulator)
Dielectric strength (kV/mm) – 15
Relative dielectric constant – 8

10
Grease life in hybrid bearings Typical hybrid bearing Dimensions, tolerances,
Tests have shown that when used with sealed
hybrid bearings, the wide temperature grease
designations suffixes internal clearance
(WT) from SKF has a very long service life The designation suffixes used to identify cer- Standard SKF hybrid deep groove ball bear-
even at high speeds and high temperatures. tain features of SKF hybrid deep groove ball ings are manufactured as standard with
One example († diagram 2) shows where bearings are explained in the following.
the life of WT grease in hybrid bearings was • boundary dimensions to ISO 15:1998
four times longer than in all-steel bearings. C3 Radial internal clearance greater than • Normal tolerances to ISO 492:2002
The shaft diameter was 20 mm, the speed Normal • C3 radial internal clearance to
20 000 r/min and the operating temperature HC5 Rolling elements of silicon nitride ISO 5753:1991.
+120 °C (+250 °F). TNH Injection moulded snap-type cage of
Most SKF hybrid deep groove ball bearings polyetheretherketone (PEEK)
are sealed and greased-for-life. TN9 Injection moulded snap-type cage of Recommendations
SKF recommends relubrication of open
bearings with SKF grease LGHP 2. In general, WT
glass fibre reinforced polyamide 6,6
Grease with a polyurea thickener of
for installation
the relubrication interval is 3 to 5 times long- consistency 2–3 to the NLGI Scale for Hybrid bearings should be handled and
er than for an all-steel bearing. a temperature range –40 to +160 °C mounted in the same manner as conventional
For very high-speed applications at tem- (–40 to +320 °F) (normal filling all-steel bearings. Always use the right tools
peratures below +70 °C (+160 °F) the use of grade) and correct methods for mounting and dis-
either SKF grease LGLC 2 or SKF grease 2RS1 Sheet steel reinforced contact seal of mounting.
LGLT 2 is recommended. acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR)
The recommended bearing operating on both sides of the bearing
temperature range for maximum grease life 2RSH2 Sheet steel reinforced contact seal
is +70 to +120 °C (+160 to +250 °F). of fluoro rubber (FKM) on both sides
of the bearing
2RSL Sheet steel reinforced low-friction
Equivalent bearing loads seal of acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber
(NBR) on both sides of the bearing
The equivalent dynamic and static bearing 2RZ Sheet steel reinforced low-friction
loads of hybrid deep groove ball bearings are seal of acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber
calculated using the equations for all-steel (NBR) on both sides of the bearing
deep groove ball bearings.

Diagram 2

Long grease life with WT grease in hybrid

bearings

Median grease life L50 [hours]


No failures




Grease alternatives offering long service life
in hybrid bearings
 SKF grease Temperature range*

 WT – 40 to +160 °C
– 40 to +320 °F

 LGHP 2 – 40 to +150 °C
– 40 to +300 °F
n All-steel bearings with ordinary grease*
n All-steel bearings with WT grease
n Hybrid bearings with ordinary grease*
n Hybrid bearings with WT grease *
For additional information about safe operating
temperatures, refer to the chapter ”Lubrication” in
*
At +120 °C (max temperature for ordinary grease) the SKF General Catalogue

11
SKF and INSOCOAT are registered trademarks of the SKF Group.

© SKF 2006
The contents of this publication are the copyright of the publisher and
may not be reproduced (even extracts) unless permission is granted.
Every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information
contained in this publication but no liability can be accepted for any loss
or damage whether direct, indirect or consequential arising out of the
use of the information contained herein.

Publication 6160 EN · May 2006

This publication supersedes publications 5128 E and 5225 E.

Printed in Sweden on environmentally friendly paper.