Siemens 580 Manuel D’Utilisation

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Maintenance 
 
Insulated Bearings 
One or both bearings may be insulated to prevent 
shaft currents from pitting bearing surfaces. The 
insulation is located at the joint between the bearing 
housing or bracket and the bearing. Insulated 
bearings are designated by an instruction plate on 
the bearing housing. 
 
Check periodically to be sure the insulation has not 
been weakened or destroyed. 
 
The bearing insulation can be checked using an 
ohmmeter or circuit test light. For sleeve bearing 
motors with one bearing insulated, the shaft must be 
raised a few mils at the non-drive end of the motor so 
that it is not in contact with the bearing and the shaft 
coupling must be parted so that the shaft is not 
grounded through the driven equipment. For motors 
with both bearings insulated, disconnect bearing 
grounding strap before testing for insulation integrity. 
Bearing temperature devices must be disconnected 
and oil rings must not be in contact with both the 
shaft and the bearing. 
 
Antifriction Bearings 
Antifriction bearings are selected to give long service 
when they are given proper maintenance. Bearing 
failure can be caused by too little or too much 
lubrication, contamination, excessive bearing load, 
improper installation, alignment, or vibration. 
 
The symptoms of antifriction bearing failure are 
excessive vibration, noise, and excessive heat 
generation. The races and balls should be 
periodically inspected for damage. Any damage 
requires replacement of the bearing. 
 
Sleeve Bearings 
Check sleeve bearings daily to be sure the oil rings 
are turning properly. See motor outline drawing to 
determine proper oil level. Add oil through the oil ring 
sight glass opening or oil inlet pipe, if so equipped. 
Be careful not to overfill. 
 
Drain the oil reservoir by removing pipe plug. Clean 
and flush with solvent and refill with fresh filtered oil 
every three months to one year, depending on 
severity of service. Use a high grade turbine oil 
having a viscosity of 300-350 SSU at 100°F for units 
of 1800 rpm and lower, and 140-160 SSU at 100°F 
for machines above 1800 rpm to 3600 rpm. 
 
In addition, seasonal oil changes are desirable if unit 
is subject to wide variations in temperature. 
 
Bearing babbitt temperatures that exceed 90°C 
(194°F) or a sudden rise in temperature should be 
investigated. 
 
Common causes of hot bearings are: 
 
1.  Lack of oil. 
2. Incorrect 
viscosity. 
3.  Poor quality oil. 
4.  Inoperative oil ring. 
5.  Misalignment of couplings or bearings. 
6.  Insufficient bearing clearance. 
7.  Oil seal rubbing on shaft. 
8.  Shaft or bushing rough spots. 
9.  Plugged oil passages on circulating oil systems. 
(Note that circulating oil systems include a filter in 
the oil line to strain the oil after it leaves the 
pump. Check and clean or replace filter when 
necessary.) 
10.  End thrust on bearing face. 
 
Sleeve bearings are bored to an even dimension and 
shaft journals are slightly smaller to obtain running 
clearance. Side reliefs are provided to distribute oil 
axially and reduce friction. During normal operation, 
the shaft is supported on an oil film 0.001 to 0.005 
inch thick, depending on speed, load and viscosity. 
Unless adverse conditions exist which tend to break 
down the oil film, metallic contact occurs only during 
starting and stopping. Under normal circumstances, 
bearing wear is very small. 
 
Oil Rings 
Inspect oil level and oil ring operation frequently. Oil 
ring operation can be observed through the oil sight 
glass. Oil rings should be perfectly round, free of 
burrs or rough edges, turn at a constant speed, and 
carry a noticeable amount of oil to the top of the 
bearing journal. Failure of the oil ring to turn freely 
may be caused by:  
 
1.  Ring out of round - rings should be round within 
0.062 inch. 
2.  Fouling on a projection of the bearings, bushing, 
or housing. 
3.  Ring not balanced (heavy side will tend to remain 
down). 
4. Adhesion to guide slot (trapezoidal section 
reduces adhesion). 
5.  Oil too cold, too viscous, or oil level too high. 
6.  Shaft not level – oil rings tend to bind. 
7.  Vibration causing oil ring to bounce and slow 
down.