Electric Motor Bearing Grease Selection

These include incorrect lubricant selection contamination loss of lubricant and overgreasing this article discusses several effective strategies to minimize the likelihood of these failure modes.

Electric motor bearing grease selection.

Able to handle light to moderate loads at high speeds this grease is often used on electric motor bearings for fans pumps and dryers. Nlgi 3 is about the consistency of vegetable shortening. But choosing the right bearings alone isn t enough. 2 for ball bearings spherical roller bearings tapered roller bearings and carb bearings rotational speed up to 210 000 and for cylindrical roller bearings rotational speed up to 270 000.

If motor manufacturer instructions are not available determine the appropriate grease relubrication intervals for motors under normal operating conditions using figure 1 which is based on information provided by nsk bearing corp. Rolling element bearings used in electric motors are at risk for various modes of failure if an incorrect maintenance or lubrication strategy is implemented. Choosing the right electric motor grease important grease characteristics for electric motor bearings the following criteria may be used as typical indicators of a good electric motor grease. Nlgi 2 is about the consistency of peanut butter.

Another crucial factor for electric motors is energy efficiency. Run the motor for at least 20 minutes to purge any excess grease and then replace the drain plug. Because the majority of grease lubricated applications are element bearings one should consider viscosity selection for those applications. This will help to insure maximum.

When the purged grease looks fresh stop pumping. Combined with safety issues proper lubrication can maintain the electric motor reliability. The result is reduced risk of excess grease entering the electric motor stator due to couetti flow and reduced viscosity due to heat. And since 40 to 70 of motor failures are related to bearings it s no surprise that high quality bearings are key for reliable motors.

When applied correctly the right grease will protect your electric motor s bearing against damaging corrosion reduce wear caused by friction and act as a seal against contaminants. Mineral oil based grease derived from petroleum is more economical than synthetic oil. While most would not use an ep 220 gear oil for an oil lubricated electric motor bearing many people will use a grease containing that same oil for an identical grease lubricated bearing. This too is highly influenced by bearing selection.

Regularly greasing your electric motor bearing is an important part of electric motor maintenance. Viscosity oil viscosity should be appropriate for the load and speed of the application at operating tempera ture. 1 rotational speed rotational speed r min x 0 5 d d mm. Nlgi viscosity grade is a rating of a grease s consistency.

Grease relubrication intervals for normal operating conditions can be read as a function of bearing speed.