Assessment of the lubrication condition of a bearing using spectral analysis of the stator current

Bearing lubrication is very important to ensure a satisfactory and long operation of bearings. An excess of lubrication can be as damaging as a lack of lubrication. An excess of oil or grease has damaging effects in the short term such as difficult heat evacuation, sliding balls and greater current consumption. As MCSA is widely recognized as a useful and reliable tool for condition monitoring of induction motors, we have used it to identify signs in the stator current spectrum of an excess of lubrication.