Bearings for Pumps & Compressors

Pumps and compressors run hot, wet and under continuous load, so bearing choice is driven by sealing and load direction rather than size alone. Sealed deep groove ball bearings carry the radial loads on smaller centrifugal pump shafts and keep water and process fluid out of the raceway. Where heavier radial loads or shaft deflection appear, cylindrical roller bearings take the load, and angular contact bearings absorb the axial thrust from impellers and compressor screws. Water pump bearings are used where the shaft and bearing are supplied as a single sealed assembly.

Common bearing types for this application

Compare bearing types

Contrast the key specifications of the bearing types commonly used in this application to help choose the right one.

Typical part series

• 6200 / 6300 series 2RS — small centrifugal pumps
• NU / NJ cylindrical rollers — heavy radial pump loads
• 7200 series angular contact — axial thrust at the impeller
• Water pump bearings — sealed shaft-and-bearing assemblies