SHAFT VOLTAGES AND ROTATING MACHINERY

It appears that there has recently been an increase in bearing and seal deterioration in rotating machinery due to shaft voltage and current generation. It is possible that this increase is the result of more knowledge in the detection and recognition of the associated damage. In order to determine whether a machine has shaft voltage problems or the potential for problems, it is important to review the damage types as well as the four potential sources for voltage generation in rotating machinery. Once this is accomplished, it is then possible to perform detailed testing for the detection and analysis of shaft currents so that means for the correction of these damaging currents can be implemented.