Which frequency range is generally associated with bearing fault detection?

The frequency range generally associated with bearing fault detection is high frequency. When bearings begin to fail, they often produce high-frequency vibrations due to impacts and irregularities caused by wear, damage, or misalignment. These high frequencies typically fall within the range of 1 kHz to 50 kHz.

Detecting these high-frequency signatures is crucial for identifying issues such as surface pitting, spalling, or misalignment, which may not be evident in the lower frequency ranges. In contrast, lower frequency ranges are more associated with overall imbalance or structural issues, while very low frequencies might relate to slow, large amplitude movements such as load shifts.

Understanding the frequency characteristics of bearing faults allows for better predictive maintenance strategies and helps in the early identification of potential failures, ultimately leading to enhanced reliability and reduced downtime in machinery.