Entering Bearing Data

and Fault Frequencies

in the SM 1281
Siemens
Condition Monitoring System SM 1281 Industry
Online
https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/ww/en/view/109761652 Support
 1 Introduction

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Contents
1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 3
2 Structure of a Roller Bearing ............................................................................ 3
3 Classification of Fault Frequencies ................................................................. 3
4 Determination of Fault Frequency ................................................................... 4
4.1 Determination from the Manufacturer's Data Sheet ............................. 4
4.1.1 Bearing Geometry ................................................................................ 4
4.1.2 Direct Specification of the Fault Frequency with/without
Reference Speed ................................................................................. 5
4.2 Determination via the Manufacturer's Bearing Calculator .................... 5
5 Bearing Data Import via CSV File ..................................................................... 6

Bearing data and fault frequencies

Entry ID: 109761652, V 1.0, 11/2018 2
 1 Introduction

1 Introduction
Using the SM 1281
The SM 1281 permits you to perform envelope curve analysis of roller bearings.

Purpose of this document

Bearing data and fault frequencies are the essential data that the SM 1281 needs
for envelope curve analysis. This document explains these terms and where you
can find the required data.
It is useful to know the basic structure of a roller bearing. This is given in the
following chapter 2.

Terminology
The terms 'fault frequency' and 'damage frequency' are synonyms in practice. Only
the term 'fault frequency' is used in this document.

2 Structure of a Roller Bearing

Roller bearings are bearings which have rolling elements (balls) between the inner
and outer races to reduce friction resistance. The rolling elements can be balls,
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spherical rollers, cylindrical rollers, tapered rollers or needle rollers.

Figure 2-1 Structure of a roller bearing

Outer race

Inner race

ball
Cage

3 Classification of Fault Frequencies

What are fault frequencies?
Fault frequencies are the frequencies that emerge when damage occurs to the four
bearing components in the envelope curve spectrum. This makes it possible to
identify and clear bearing damage individually and in good time.

Bearing data and fault frequencies

Entry ID: 109761652, V 1.0, 11/2018 3
 4 Determination of Fault Frequency

Differences between fault frequencies

The differences are based on the four bearing components:
Table 3-1 Difference between fault frequencies
Bearing Designation in the SM 1281 Abbreviation in the SM 1281
component
Outer race Outer race fault frequency BPFO
Ball Pass Frequency Outer
ring
Inner race Inner race fault frequency BPFI
Ball Pass Frequency Inner ring
Rolling element Rolling element rotation BSF
frequency Ball Spin Frequency
Cage Cage rotation frequency FTF
Fundamental Train Frequency

4 Determination of Fault Frequency

4.1 Determination from the Manufacturer's Data Sheet
The following information may be given in the bearing's data sheet:
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 Bearing geometry
 Direct specification of the fault frequency with/without reference speed

4.1.1 Bearing Geometry

The bearing geometry consists of the following dimensions:

 Contact angle α
 Ball diameter DW
 Pitch circle diameter DPW
 Number of balls Z

Figure 4-1 Bearing geometry dimensions

The SM 1281 takes the geometry data to calculate the associated fault frequency
depending on the speed.

Bearing data and fault frequencies

Entry ID: 109761652, V 1.0, 11/2018 4
 4 Determination of Fault Frequency

4.1.2 Direct Specification of the Fault Frequency with/without Reference

Speed

Specification of the fault frequency with reference speed

The specified fault frequencies apply for the specified reference speed. The
reference speed must also be entered in the SM 1281. Based on the reference
speed the SM 1281 automatically calculates the correct fault frequency for the
current speed.

Specification of the fault frequency without reference speed

If there is no reference speed available, the fault frequencies are always calculated
1
for a speed of 60 . The data sheets often specify this speed as a rotational
𝑚𝑖𝑛
frequency of 1 Hz. In this case you should always enter 60 rpm for the reference
speed in the SM 1281.

Special feature of the rolling element fault frequency

In the case of rolling element damage the 2nd harmonic of the fault frequency is
the most dominant. For this reason the 2nd harmonic is often given as the fault
frequency in the data sheet. However, the SM 1281 expects entry of the 1st
harmonic of the fault frequency for the rolling element. Below is the procedure for
this case.
 Check whether the fault frequency of the rolling element specified in the data
sheet is greater than the fault frequency of the outer race.
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– If yes:
The 2nd harmonic of the fault frequency is specified. Halve this value for
the input in the SM 1281.
– If not:
Use the value directly for the input in the SM 1281.

4.2 Determination via the Manufacturer's Bearing

Calculator
Usually bearing manufacturers provide a bearing calculator on their internet sites.
Since neither the designations nor the abbreviations of the fault frequencies are
standardized the following example is designed to help you match the bearing
calculator values to the fault frequencies to be entered in the SM 1281.

Table 4-1 Example of values from a bearing calculator for a bearing type 6004

Speed 60 1/min

Rotational
1 Hz
frequency
Abbreviation in the SM
1281
Outer race 3.5782 1/s BPFO

Inner race 5.4218 1/s BPFI

Rolling element 2.3385 1/s BSF

Cage 0.39976 1/s FTF

Bearing data and fault frequencies

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 5 Bearing Data Import via CSV File

The fault frequencies might vary from manufacturer to manufacturer for the
identical bearing type. Therefore it is best to use the bearing calculator of the
corresponding manufacturer in each case. For example, if a motor is sent for
repair, then a bearing of the same type AND of the same manufacturer must be
used. If this is not possible, the bearing monitoring has to be adapted to the new
bearing.

5 Bearing Data Import via CSV File

Structure of the CSV file
Using the "Import CSV ..." button you can import a CSV file and add up to 1000
bearing types per import to the existing database for bearing types.
A UTF-8 coded data record is to be created for each bearing type. Each data
record consists of 6 data fields separated by a semicolon.
Enter the data record in the following order and use a new line for each data
record:
 Name of the bearing type
 Fault frequency of outer race damage with reference speed (in Hz)
 Fault frequency of inner race damage with reference speed (in Hz)
 Fault frequency of cage damage with reference speed (in Hz)
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 Fault frequency of rolling element damage with reference speed (in Hz)
 Reference speed (in 1/min)
The name of the bearing type must not exceed 40 characters and the following
characters are not permitted: \,",',%,{,},[,],<,> and;
When entering decimal figures, use the point "." as decimal place separator.
If the system detects an error when importing, a syntax error, for example, then you
get an error message and the system discards the import and there is no change in
the database for bearing types.
The SM 1281 reports successful import of the data in the alarm log of the web
server.
The fault frequencies can be imported only. It is not possible to import bearings by
entering the bearing geometry.

Example
The following information is available for importing by the SM 1281:
 Bearing name: 6004_60
 Fault frequency of outer race: 3.58 Hz
 Fault frequency of inner race: 5.42 Hz
 Fault frequency of cage: 0.4 Hz
 Fault frequency of rolling element: 2.34 Hz

-1
Reference speed: 60 min
The CSV should then have the following structure:
6004_60;3.58;5.42;0.4;2.34;60
One line per bearing is to be created in the CSV file.

Bearing data and fault frequencies

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 5 Bearing Data Import via CSV File

Importing the bearing database

Proceed as follows to import the bearing database:
1. Open the SM 1281 web interface and if necessary, request parameter change
right from the S7 controller.
2. Log on to the module.
– User: admin
– Password: <user password> or
0000 (four times the figure zero) with factory settings
3. In the "Administration" navigation area you select "Save and restore".
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4. Click the "Import CSV…" button.

5. In the Windows Explorer you navigate to the storage location of the created file
(select file and confirm with "Open").
Now the data is imported. In this case there is no feedback if the import succeeds.
If you once again import data with the same name, there is no query about
overwriting.

Further information about entering bearing data and about importing bearing data
via CSV file is available in the SM1281 manual:
https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/ww/en/view/109744965

Bearing data and fault frequencies

Entry ID: 109761652, V 1.0, 11/2018 7