SPM BC-100 Bearing Checker is a handheld, pocket-size, user friendly instrument for fast and easy measurement of bearing condition in preventive maintenance. BC-100 measures shock pulses with a built-in probe and machine surface temperature with an infrared sensor. It can also be used as an electronic stethoscope for detecting machine sound irregularities (reguires optional headphones). SPM is the preferred method of vibration measurement for compressors, as severity charts have been established, check with your compressor supplier.

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• SPM BC-1000 Technical data
• Casing/cover: ABS/PC, IP54
• Size: 158 x 62 x 30 mm (6.2 x 2.4 x 1.2 in)
• Weight: 185 g (6.5 ounces) with batteries
• Display: Graphic monochrome, 64 x 128 pixels, LED backlight
• Bearing condition Green, yellow and red LED
• Power supply: (2) AA batteries, not included
• Battery life: > 20 hours of normal use
• Operating temp: 0 °C to +50 °C (32 °F to 122 °F)
• Input connector: Lemo coaxial, for external shock pulse transducers (probe or quick connector)
• Output connector: 3.5 mm stereo mini plug for headphones
• Memory: 10 measurement values
• Shock pulse measurement
• Measurement technique: dBm/dBc, measuring range -9 to 90 dBsv, +3 dBsv
• Transducer type: Built-in probe transducer
• Temperature measurement
• Temperature range: –10 to +160 °C (-4 to +320°F)
• Resolution: 1 °C (1 °F)
• Transducer type: Thermopile Sensor TPS 334/3161, built-in contact free IR-sensor
• Stethoscope
• Earphone mode: 8 level amplification

Modern industrial maintenance requires informed decisions on measures to optimize equipment and component performance. Timely failure prediction and detection is key to cutting operating costs. Machine breakdowns are frequently caused by bearing damage. Unplanned downtime, as well as unnecessary repair work, can be significantly reduced by periodically checking bearing condition.

Steps to Checking Bearings

For a reading of bearing condition with Bearing Checker, you need the initial value, dBi (decibel initial). The dBi is a value empirically obtained by measuring the shock pulses from a large number of new, perfect ball and roller bearings. It constitutes the starting point of the condition scale for a particular bearing.

3. Evaluate the measuring result
There are only two situations where an evaluation is necessary: after initial readings when you first start with bearing monitoring, and when you notice a change in the readings (or get high readings from the start).  Always remember that some machines can contain many types of shock pulse sources other than the bearing, and there can be a number of different causes for bad bearing condition other than damage.

Evaluation requires only normal care and common sense. Use the probe transducer and the headphone, and also use your senses: look, touch, listen. By being thorough you can avoid raising false alarms or missing damaged bearings.