ABSTRACT
The purpose of using bearings in electric motors is to support and locate the rotating rotor in both radial and axial directions, maintain auniform air gap between the rotor and statorover awide range of operating speeds, reduce friction and wear between the rotating and stationary components, and transfer loads from the shaft to the motor frame and base. It has been reported that two major root causes of motor failure are bearing and insulation failure. Statistical data have further indicated that more than half of all motor failures can be attributed to the bearing failures [6.1]. Therefore, it is important to understand bearing performance characteristics and bearing failure mechanisms.
