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designed to operate with a very thin layer of oil between Pitting: Below is a frosted bearing race wall after 5400
the rotating ball and the bearing race.) During virtually hours of continuous use in a VFD/AC motor system. Early
every VFD cycle, induced shaft voltage discharges from the damage typically takes the form of pitting. These fusion
motor shaft to the frame via the bearings, leaving a small craters increase in number and size as each cycle of induced
fusion crater in the bearing race. voltage discharges from the shaft through the bearings to
the frame and ground. Soon the entire race is covered with
millions of pits. As new fusion craters form over old ones,
eventually a frosted surface easily visible to the naked
eye appears.
Alternate discharge paths: When properly implemented, a. They are subject to wear because of the
these strategies are preferable to insulation because they mechanical contact with the shaft.
neutralize shaft current. Techniques range in cost and
b. They collect contaminants on their metal
sometimes can only be applied selectively, depending on
bristles, which destroys their effectiveness.
motor size or application. The ideal solution would provide
a very-low-resistance path from shaft to frame, would be c. They are subject to oxidation buildup, which
low-cost, and could be broadly applied across all VFD/AC decreases their grounding effectiveness.
motor applications, affording the greatest degree of bearing
d. They require maintenance on a regular basis,
protection and maximum return on investment.
increasing their cost.
application. Introduced to the market in May 2005, the SGR with a VFD costs from $2,400 to $100,000 or more and may
was designed for motors with shafts from 0.311 to 6.020 be part of a manufacturing process that generates revenues
including NEMA and IEC frames as well as high-horsepower from $10,000 to $1,000,000 or more per hour. The cost of
AC and DC motors with shaft diameters up to 30. AEGIS installing an AEGIS SGR in a VFD/AC motor system is very
SGRs have been applied to power generators, gas turbines, low when compared to the cost of the overall system,
wind turbine generators, AC traction and break motors, usually less than 1% of the equipment cost.
cleanrooms and HVAC systems, and a long list of other
By preventing electrical damage to bearings, the SGR
industrial and commercial applications.
protects the VFD system from the costly downtime of
Installation and maintenance: The SGR is easily installed unplanned maintenance. In some production applications,
by sliding the ring over either end of the motor shaft and even a momentary stoppage due to motor failure can cost
locking it in place with simple screw-on mounting brackets. more than $250,000, excluding the cost of repairing the
Because no machining is required, the SGR can be installed motor.
in minutes even in the field. Once installed, the AEGIS
Motor manufacturers and process engineers in industries
SGR requires no maintenance. With no parts to wear out,
where VFDs are used are keenly aware of the problems and
the SGR lasts as long as the bearings. A split-ring design
expense caused by electrical damage to bearings. They
allows installation around the shaft without disassembling
have expended significant time, effort, and money to find a
attached equipment.
solution to this problem. The AEGIS SGR Conductive
Low cost and high return on investment: One of the MicroFiber Bearing Protection Ring is the most effective and
key goals in the design of the AEGIS SGR was to create a universally applicable solution to date.
true value for the customer. Typically, an AC motor coupled
September 2006
31 Winterbrook Road
Mechanic Falls, ME 04256
(866) 738-1857
sales@est-aegis.com
www.est-aegis.com