Description
Key Technical Specifications
- Model Number: 330130-085-02-00
- Manufacturer: Bently Nevada (a Baker Hughes business)
- Cable Type: Extension cable for 3301 series eddy current proximity probes
- Length: 85ft (25.91m) – ultra-long reach for remote installations
- Connector Configuration: Male-to-female MIL-C-5015 (mates with Bently probe/proximitor connectors)
- Cable Construction: PFA (perfluoroalkoxy) insulation, 100% stainless steel braided shield, 22 AWG stranded copper conductors
- Operating Temperature: -54°C to +121°C (-65°F to +250°F)
- Isolation Rating: 500V AC (conductor to shield)
- Impedance: 50Ω (matched to 3301 probes/3300 XL Proximitors)
- Certifications: CE, ATEX Zone 0 (Ex ia IIC T6), IECEx ia IIC T6, API 670 compliant
- Compatibility: Bently 330101/330104/330105 probes, 3300 XL Proximitors, 3500 Machinery Protection System
- Bend Radius: 15mm (static), 25mm (dynamic)
- Weight: 1.8kg (3.97lbs)
Bently 330101-00-18-05-02-05
Field Application & Problem Solved
In rotating machinery with remote or deeply recessed probe mounting—refinery steam turbines, power plant boiler feed pumps, chemical plant reactor compressors—the biggest cable challenge is maintaining signal integrity over long runs without sacrificing durability. Generic extension cables fail three critical tests: they lack impedance matching (causing 20-30% sensitivity loss over 50ft+), use PVC insulation (melts in lube oil or chemical exposure), or have thin shielding (picking up VFD/motor noise). A Texas refinery lost $230k in a 5-hour outage when a generic 75ft cable’s PVC insulation degraded from turbine oil, shorting the probe signal and triggering a false shutdown. A Pennsylvania power plant spent $38k annually replacing generic cables that introduced electrical noise, leading to inaccurate bearing wear analysis and unplanned maintenance.
This cable solves these issues with its factory-engineered design for long-reach, harsh-environment use. You’ll find it in: deep turbine bearing housings, compressor baseplates with remote proximitor mounting, pump skids in confined spaces—any installation where the probe is 85ft or more from the proximitor. It’s the standard for retrofits where machinery design limits proximitor placement near the probe, avoiding costly modifications to relocate sensors.
Its core value is Bently-native signal integrity + extreme durability + long-reach capability. Unlike generics, it’s impedance-matched to 3301 probes (50Ω), ensuring no loss of the 200-800 mV/mm sensitivity critical for accurate displacement measurements over 85ft. The PFA insulation resists oil, chemicals, and temperature extremes, while the 100% braided shield blocks EMI/RFI. For a Louisiana chemical plant, this cable enabled installing a 330105 probe in a deep reactor compressor—avoiding $60k in machinery modification costs and eliminating false trips from generic cable noise.
Installation & Maintenance Pitfalls (Expert Tips)
- Connector Torque: 0.8Nm (7.1 in-lbs) – Exact Value Critical: Rookies over-torque MIL connectors, stripping threads or damaging pins, or under-torque them, causing intermittent signal loss. A Florida refinery’s cable failed after 6 months when the connector was torqued to 1.4Nm—use a torque wrench with a MIL adapter to hit the spec.
- Daisy-Chaining Is Never Allowed: Rookies link two 40ft cables to reach 80ft, doubling impedance and signal delay. A Michigan paper mill’s probe sensitivity dropped by 40% until a single 85ft Bently cable replaced the chained pair—splicing or chaining voids calibration and introduces failure points.
- Shield Grounding: Single-Point at Proximitor End Only: Grounding the shield at both probe and proximitor creates a ground loop, corrupting signals. An Ohio steel mill’s turbine data had persistent hum until we disconnected the shield from the machinery housing and grounded it solely at the proximitor. Never break shield continuity.
- Routing: 30cm Clearance from Power Cables: Running the 85ft cable parallel to 480V+ power lines induces noise. A North Carolina water treatment plant’s pump probe gave erratic readings until the cable was rerouted through a separate conduit, 30cm away from motor power cables. Avoid crossing power lines at sharp angles—use 90° crossings if necessary.
- Abrasion Protection in High-Vibration Areas: The long cable is prone to rubbing against machinery casings or conduit edges. A Texas refinery’s cable shorted after 24 months when the braid wore through—use rubber-grommeted cable ties to secure high-wear sections, and inspect during every shutdown.
Bently 330101-00-18-05-02-05
Technical Deep Dive & Overview
The Bently 330130-085-02-00 is a purpose-built extension cable designed to maintain signal integrity between 3301 series proximity probes and 3300 XL Proximitors in long-reach, harsh industrial environments. At its core, the cable’s 22 AWG stranded copper conductors and 50Ω impedance are precision-matched to Bently’s probe/proximitor ecosystem—critical for preserving the low-voltage (mV-level) displacement signals that indicate shaft health.
Unlike generic cables, the PFA insulation is chemically inert and heat-resistant, withstanding turbine lube oil, chemical vapors, and temperatures from -54°C to +121°C—far exceeding PVC or rubber insulations. The 100% stainless steel braided shield provides complete EMI/RFI protection, blocking interference from VFDs, motors, and power cables that would corrupt the probe’s delicate signal. The MIL-C-5015 connectors feature a thread-lock design that prevents vibration-induced loosening, a common failure point with generic connectors.
What sets it apart is its passive, robust design—no active components to fail, just reliable signal transmission. It integrates seamlessly with Bently’s 3300 and 3500 systems, requiring no signal boosters or adapters even at 85ft. For maintenance teams, this cable isn’t just an extension—it’s a critical link that ensures proximity probe data reaches the monitoring system intact, enabling early fault detection (e.g., bearing wear, shaft misalignment) and preventing catastrophic downtime. Its durability, compatibility, and API 670 compliance make it the gold standard for long-reach probe installations in harsh industrial settings.
