Description

Product Overview

The BENTLY 60M100-00 is an 8mm eddy current proximity probe from the Bently Nevada brand. It is a standard component of the 3300 XL 8mm proximity probe system, and together with extension cables and preamplifiers, forms a complete displacement/vibration measurement system. Its core function is to accurately measure the dynamic gap (displacement) and static position between a metal conductor target and the probe tip in a non-contact manner. It is the industry gold standard sensor for monitoring shaft vibration and displacement in rotating machinery such as turbines, compressors, pumps, and fans.

Core Functions and Value

The core value of this probe lies in converting mechanical motion (changes in shaft position) into high-precision, high-reliability electrical signals, serving as the cornerstone for predictive maintenance and mechanical protection. It can monitor the radial vibration and axial displacement of the rotating shaft in real time, providing early warnings of faults such as rotor-stator contact, bearing wear, and dynamic imbalance, creating conditions for planned maintenance or directly triggering shutdown interlocks to prevent catastrophic equipment damage. Its non-contact and high-response characteristics make it the only reliable method for monitoring high-speed rotating components.

Technical Parameters

Parameter Category

Specific Description

Product Model

60M100-00 (Probe model)

Complete System Model

Typically refers to the 3300 XL 8mm Proximity Probe System

Manufacturer

Bently Nevada (now part of Baker Hughes)

Probe Diameter

8 mm (Standard thread: M10 x 1)

Nominal Sensitivity

7.87 mV/μm (200 mV/mil) – This is the standard value calibrated at the factory; the actual system sensitivity is determined by the probe, extension cable, and preamplifier. Linear Range

0.25 mm to 2.3 mm (10 mils to 90 mils) typical, the optimal linear range is usually recommended to be between 0.8 mm and 1.6 mm.

Operating Temperature

-35°C to 177°C (-31°F to 350°F)

Frequency Response

0 to 10 kHz (-3dB), meeting the vibration monitoring needs of most rotating machinery.

Probe Cable

Typically an integral armored, PTFE-insulated coaxial cable, available in various lengths (e.g., 0.5m, 1.0m, 5.0m, 9.0m, etc.), and integrated with the probe via a miniature coaxial connector.

Target Material

Must be a conductive metal (such as carbon steel, stainless steel, titanium alloy, etc.). Different materials and sizes of targets will affect system sensitivity and linear range, requiring on-site calibration.

Output Signal

When connected to the matching preamplifier, the system outputs a DC voltage signal proportional to the gap (e.g., -2V to -18V DC).

Application Scenario

Scenario: Shaft system monitoring and protection of a large centrifugal compressor

On a natural gas centrifugal compressor in a large chemical plant, two BENTLY 60M100-00 probe systems, positioned at 90° to each other, were installed at the drive end and non-drive end bearings to monitor radial shaft vibration. Two probe systems were installed at the thrust bearing to monitor axial displacement. The probes are precisely fixed to the bearing housing, and their sensing end faces maintain a precise preset gap with the finely machined shaft surface (target surface).

When the compressor is running, any slight vibration or axial movement of the shaft will change the gap between the probe and the shaft surface. The electromagnetic field of the coil inside the probe changes accordingly, and this change is converted by the preamplifier into a real-time voltage signal, which is sent to the Bentley Nevada 3300/3500 monitoring system. The system continuously analyzes these signals, displaying dynamic vibration waveforms and spectra on the operator station. Once the vibration amplitude or displacement exceeds the preset alarm and shutdown values, the system immediately issues an alarm or triggers an interlock shutdown, preventing catastrophic accidents such as bearing melting and blade fracture caused by friction and collision. This addresses the core pain point of real-time sensing of the “invisible” minute movements of high-speed rotors and providing early warning of mechanical failures.

Technical Advantages and Innovative Value

Non-contact High-Precision Measurement Principle

The BENTLY 60M100-00 operates based on the eddy current effect. A high-frequency current in the probe coil generates an alternating magnetic field, inducing eddy currents on the surface of the metal shaft. The magnetic field generated by these eddy currents acts in the opposite direction on the probe coil, changing its impedance. Distance change → impedance change → output voltage change. This principle determines its advantages of wear-free operation, long lifespan, and extremely fast response speed. It can measure static displacement (such as shaft center position) and dynamic vibration (from 0Hz to several thousand Hz), making it an ideal means of simultaneously obtaining machine “position” and “health status” information, with accuracy reaching the micron level.

Robust and Durable Industrial-Grade Design

The probe features a fully welded, armored enclosure, internally filled with high-temperature epoxy resin, ensuring long-term stable operation in harsh industrial environments with high temperature, high humidity, oil, steam, and mild corrosion. The integrated cable design prevents internal cable breakage caused by on-site vibration. This “robust, reliable, and maintenance-free” design allows it to be installed on almost all types of rotating machinery, from normal temperature water pumps to high-temperature gas turbines, providing uninterrupted monitoring for years or even decades, forming the cornerstone of equipment reliability programs.

Seamless Integration with the Bently Ecosystem

The 60M100-00 probe is a core component of the Bently Nevada condition monitoring ecosystem. It perfectly matches with dedicated 5-meter or 9-meter extension cables, the 3300 XL 8mm preamplifier, and the 3300/3500 series monitors. The system is factory-calibrated, ensuring consistent sensitivity and interchangeability, greatly simplifying on-site installation and spare parts management. Its output signal is an industry standard, usable not only with Bentley systems but also compatible with any DCS, PLC, or data acquisition system, providing comprehensive coverage from protection to predictive analysis.

Industry Application Case

Case: Vibration Fault Diagnosis and Prevention of a Power Plant Steam Turbine Generator Set

A 300MW steam turbine generator set at a thermal power plant experienced a continuous slow increase in vibration values, triggering a warning. By analyzing the vibration data collected by the BENTLY 60M100-00 probe, maintenance engineers found a clear dominant 1x frequency (fundamental frequency) component in the spectrum, accompanied by a smaller 2x frequency component.

Diagnosis and Treatment:

Data Analysis: A dominant 1x frequency usually indicates rotor imbalance or misalignment. Combined with phase analysis, the initial assessment was that the high-speed rotor had a dynamic balancing problem, possibly caused by blade fouling or component detachment.

Preventive Maintenance: The power plant utilized a planned outage opportunity to perform on-site dynamic balancing correction of the steam turbine rotor. During the correction process, the real-time readings from the 60M100-00 probe were used as precise guidance for the balancing effect.

Effect Verification: After the correction and restart, the vibration value decreased by more than 60%, returning to an excellent level.

Value Realization: Based on the precise data provided by the 60M100-00. the power plant successfully performed predictive maintenance before the fault worsened, avoiding an unplanned shutdown, with potential economic losses (power generation losses, emergency repair costs) amounting to millions of yuan. The probe system was the “eyes” of this successful predictive maintenance operation.

Supporting Solutions

Extension Cables: Such as A05B-… or A10B-… series 5-meter/10-meter standard cables, used to connect the probe and preamplifier, compensating for distance.

Preamplifier: 3300 XL 8mm preamplifier, which provides high-frequency excitation power to the probe and demodulates and amplifies the probe signal into a standard voltage signal. It is a critical system component. Monitoring System: Bentley Nevada 3300 or 3500 series monitoring modules, receiving preamplifier signals and providing functions such as alarm, shutdown interlock, buffered output, and key phase signal processing.

Installation Accessories: Probe mounting sleeve, locking nut, and special wrench to ensure secure, precise, and repeatable installation of the probe onto the sensor bracket.

Calibration and Test Kit: TK-83 calibrator, used for on-site static calibration and functional testing of the entire probe system (probe + cable + preamplifier) to verify its sensitivity and linearity.

Target Plate: A calibration test piece made of the same material as the measured shaft, used for on-site calibration and functional checks.

Installation, Commissioning, and Maintenance Support

Installation and Commissioning

Mechanical Installation:

Crucial: Before installation, the machine must be stopped, de-energized, locked out, and ensured to be completely stationary.

Machine a mounting hole in the bearing housing or machine casing, tap an M10x1 thread, or use a pre-fabricated mounting sleeve.

Slowly screw in the probe, and use a micrometer or special mounting gap gauge to precisely adjust the initial gap between the probe tip and the shaft surface (which must be a smooth, clean, and scratch-free flat area), typically set at the midpoint of the sensor’s linear range (approximately 1.27mm/50mils). Tighten the locking nut.

Electrical Connection: Connect the probe cable to the corresponding preamplifier via an extension cable. The preamplifier is usually installed in a protective enclosure, and its output is connected to the monitor. Ensure all connectors are waterproof, oil-proof, and securely fastened.

System Calibration:

Power-on Test: With the machine stationary, measure the preamplifier output voltage to verify its correspondence with the initial gap.

Dynamic Calibration: After the machine starts and runs, observe the vibration waveform through the monitor or data acquisition system, and synchronize it with the key phase signal for phase calibration.

Maintenance and Support

Regular Inspection: Regularly check the physical condition of the probe and cable for mechanical damage, high-temperature ablation, or oil contamination. Check for loose or damp connectors. Functional Testing: Using the TK-83 calibrator, perform offline functional testing of the probe system periodically (recommended during major overhauls). Mount the target plate on the calibrator, connect the probe and preamplifier, and check the accuracy of the output signal across the entire linear range.

Troubleshooting: Common faults include no signal/signal drift (check the probe, cable, connectors, and preamplifier power supply), and excessive signal noise (check for electrical interference near the probe, grounding issues, or electrical transients on the shaft surface). A “replacement method” can be used for segmented troubleshooting.

Professional Services: We provide comprehensive support for Bentley Nevada products, including sensor selection consultation, installation guidance, on-site calibration services, troubleshooting and repair, and genuine original spare parts supply. For vibration problems in critical units, we can provide expert data analysis and diagnostic services.