Journal of Advanced Mechanical Design, Systems, and Manufacturing
Online ISSN : 1881-3054
ISSN-L : 1881-3054
Papers
Measurement of Direct Current Voltage Causing Electrical Pitting
Shoji NOGUCHIShin-nosuke KAKINUMATohru KANADA
Author information
JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

2010 Volume 4 Issue 6 Pages 1084-1094

Details
Abstract

It is widely known that electrical pitting occurs when an electrical current is passed through a ball or roller bearing. The authors have investigated critical electrical current density causing electrical pitting and have shown that it occurs in a ball bearing even at an extremely low current. In this paper we present the results of an experiment in which a small ball bearing was supplied with a direct current (DC) voltage to determine the voltage required to induce a current. A film of grease acts as the insulator on an antifriction bearing used, and the thickness of this film is an important consideration and the current must pass through this film. Four types of grease were used on the bearing, which was rotated at various speed during 500 hours. A potential of 1.3V to 1.5V was necessary to induce the flow of current. The results indicate that the voltage supplied by typical dry cell batteries is sufficient to drive a currents through a small bearing, and that the experimental conditions had little effect on the magnitude of the flowing current.

Content from these authors
© 2010 by The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers
Next article
feedback
Top