By Minco Staff
Bearing embedment temperature sensors are a vital tool in monitoring the health of rotating equipment—motors, generators, turbines and gearboxes—by measuring bearing temperatures during the operation of this equipment. A rise in bearing temperature may indicate loss of lubricant or misalignment of bearings and shaft which can lead to costly repairs and equipment downtime if the over-temperature situation is not corrected. When used in hazardous locations, equipment must incorporate certified temperature sensors which are tested and approved to operate safely within, and not introduce an ignition source into, hazardous environments. The challenge in specifying certified sensors is the wide range of certifications needed for different world areas.
In a Design World article, Minco Product Marketing Manager Darrell Hyde describes how certifications and supply chain strategies help companies manage uncertainty:
To keep up with market fluctuation, manufacturers need access to bearing sensors that can do more to keep projects on track. This means integrating temperature sensors that can be used in a wider set of applications and regions. Sensor lines that cover multiple regional certifications can help manufacturers adapt more quickly to market surges and stalls—without the hassle of managing communications across multiple vendors or attempting to begin new vendor relationships during constrained timelines. Yet many thermal sensor suppliers continue to provide only one or two certifications for each sensor—creating significant coverage gaps.
Forward-thinking suppliers predicted this problem, and they have responded by focusing on simplifying the procurement process. For example, Minco recently launched a new line of S7 and TC7 miniature bearing embedment temperature sensors that are tri-certified to multiple standards (CSAc-us, ATEX, and IECEx). This multiple-certification approach to a product line allows bearing manufacturers to build with confidence, knowing they are covered for various use cases. Additional capabilities such as variable case sizes, RTD, and thermocouple element compatibilities, and lead wire and cable options can extend certification versatility to address even more applications and introduce additional resilience to the supply chain.
To learn more about how Minco engineers can help with your next project, contact us today.
