Bently Nevada 3500 & 3300 Systems | Evaflux

Bently Nevada 3500 and 3300 series solutions: A Complete Product Overview

Unplanned downtime on critical rotating machinery is among the costliest events in any industrial plant. A failed turbine, compressor or pump can halt production for days and put people and assets at risk. That is why condition monitoring and machinery protection are standard on critical equipment. Among the most widely specified platforms is the combination of the 3500 rack-based monitoring system and the 3300 proximity transducer family. This overview explains what these products are, how they work and why they appear on so many project specifications.

What Are the 3500 and 3300 Series?

The 3500 series is a modular, rack-based machinery protection system. It continuously monitors vibration, position, speed, temperature and other parameters, and it triggers alarms or shutdowns when values exceed set limits. The 3300 series is a family of eddy-current proximity transducer systems. These supply the high-quality shaft vibration and position signals that a monitoring system needs. Together, the Bently Nevada 3500 and 3300 series solutions form a complete chain from sensor to protection logic.

Core Technical Specifications

3500 rack and modules

• Standard 19-inch rack with a backplane that carries power and communication between modules.

• Dedicated slots for redundant power supplies, a rack interface module and a mix of monitor modules.

• Monitor options include proximity/seismic vibration, axial position, tachometer, temperature, Keyphasor and relay modules.

• Relay modules support alarm and shutdown logic, with configurable voting for greater trip reliability.

• Communication gateways offer Modbus and Ethernet-based connectivity to control systems and asset management software.

• Designed in line with API 670, the standard for machinery protection systems.

3300 XL proximity systems (typical figures; confirm against the datasheet for your model)

• 8 mm probe systems: linear range of about 2 mm, with a scale factor of about 7.87 V/mm (200 mV/mil).

• 11 mm probe systems: wider linear range of about 4 mm, with a scale factor of about 3.94 V/mm (100 mV/mil).

• Frequency response from DC up to roughly 10 kHz.

• Powered from a nominal -24 Vdc supply.

• Interchangeable probes, extension cables and Proximitor sensors, with no bench matching required.

Reliability by Design

The 3500 architecture supports hot-swappable modules, so a technician can replace a monitor without shutting down the rack. Redundant power supplies keep the system running if one fails. Continuous self-diagnostics flag problems with a module or transducer before they become blind spots. The 3300 XL line adds ruggedized connectors and sealed construction, which resist oil, moisture and vibration in harsh environments.

Precision You Can Build Decisions On

Eddy-current probes measure the gap between the probe tip and the shaft without contact. That allows them to capture both dynamic vibration and static position changes with high resolution. Because the signal is clean and repeatable, analysts can trust trends, orbit plots and phase data. For engineers, this precision supports better root-cause analysis. For plant managers, it means earlier warnings and fewer false trips.

Typical Use Cases

The Bently Nevada 3500 and 3300 series solutions are commonly installed on:

• Steam, gas and hydro turbines

• Centrifugal and reciprocating compressors

• Large pumps and motors

• Generators and gearboxes

• Fans, blowers and expanders in process plants

Typical sectors include oil and gas, petrochemicals, power generation, water and desalination, mining, cement and heavy manufacturing.

Integration and Scalability

A 3500 rack can start small, with a few monitors protecting a single machine, and grow as plant needs change. Data can feed distributed control systems and PLCs through standard protocols. It can also feed diagnostic software for deeper analysis. This scalability helps procurement teams standardize on one platform across multiple sites.

Why Source from Evaflux

On this product category page, Evaflux presents the Bently Nevada 3500 and 3300 series solutions together with related modules, transducers and cables. Buyers can match part numbers to existing racks, plan spares or specify components for new builds. Accurate part identification matters because module revisions, cable lengths and probe types all affect compatibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do the 3500 and 3300 series work together?
Yes. The 3300 transducers supply signals that 3500 monitor modules condition, display and compare against alarm setpoints.

Is the 3500 system API 670 compliant?
It is designed to meet API 670 requirements for machinery protection. Always check the project specification and edition for exact requirements.

Can modules be replaced while the rack is running?
Most 3500 modules are hot-swappable, but follow the manufacturer's procedures and your site safety rules.

How do I choose between 8 mm and 11 mm probes?
The 8 mm probe suits most standard shaft vibration measurements. The 11 mm probe offers a wider linear range, which suits larger gaps or applications such as thrust position.

Where can I request a quotation?
Contact the Evaflux team with the part numbers or machine details, and they can help confirm compatibility.

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