Description
Key Technical Specifications
- Model Number: 3500/15-01 125840-02
- Manufacturer: Bently Nevada (a Baker Hughes business)
- Rack Type: Passive backplane rack (no active electronics)
- Slot Capacity: 1 slot (accommodates 1x 1U 3500 series module)
- Backplane Function: Distributes 24VDC power from 3500/10 Power Module; enables module-to-system communication (100Mbps)
- Power Compatibility: Bently 3500/10 Power Module (single unit, no redundancy)
- Mounting Options: 19-inch EIA rack-mount (1U height), wall-mount (with optional bracket), panel-mount
- Environmental Ratings: Operating Temp: -40°C to +70°C (-40°F to +158°F); Humidity: 5-95% non-condensing
- Certifications: CE, UL 508, ATEX Zone 2 (Ex nA IIC T4), IECEx, API 670 compliant
- Compatibility: 3500/22M/42M Monitoring Modules, 3500/25 Relay Modules, 3500/94 Communication Modules
- Weight: 1.8kg (4lbs) (empty); 3.2kg (7lbs) fully populated
- Mechanical Design: Steel chassis with keyed module slot (prevents misinstallation); anti-vibration mounting points; front/rear access
- Diagnostic Capability: Rack-level status LED (power OK, backplane fault)
Bently 3500/15-01 125840-02
Field Application & Problem Solved
In remote or auxiliary rotating machinery—refinery lube oil pumps, power plant cooling fans, chemical plant auxiliary turbines—the biggest rack challenge is finding a compact, compatible housing for single 3500 modules. Full-size 4-slot or 14-slot racks are overkill (wasting space and cost), while generic 1-slot racks lack 3500-native backplanes, causing module misalignment, communication drops, or power distribution failures. A Texas refinery lost $85k in a 2-hour outage when a generic 1-slot rack’s misaligned pins damaged a 3500/25 relay module, leaving a remote pump unprotected. A Pennsylvania paper mill spent $12k annually on custom adapters to fit 3500 modules into non-Bently compact racks, still facing intermittent signal loss.
This 1-slot rack solves these issues as the factory-designed solution for single-module deployments. You’ll find it in: remote pump stations, auxiliary turbine control panels, fan skid protection enclosures, and any location where space is limited and only one 3500 module is needed. It’s the go-to for retrofitting legacy auxiliary machinery with 3500 protection, as it requires minimal installation space.
Its core value is compact footprint + 3500-native integration + rugged reliability. Unlike generics, it’s precision-engineered to match 3500 module dimensions and backplane specifications, eliminating adapter needs. The 1U height fits in tight control panels, while the steel chassis withstands vibration in remote pump enclosures. For a Louisiana water treatment plant, this rack enabled adding a 3500/42M module to a small chemical dosing pump—avoiding $15k in control panel modification costs and reducing pump downtime by 50%.
Installation & Maintenance Pitfalls (Expert Tips)
- Module Seating: Never Force Insertion: Rookies jam modules into the slot, bending backplane pins. An Ohio steel mill’s 3500/94 module failed to communicate until the rack’s backplane was repaired—always align the module with the slot guides and push until the latch clicks. Check for debris in the slot if insertion is resistant.
- Power Module Compatibility: Use Only 3500/10: Generic 24VDC power supplies have unstable output, frying the module or backplane. A Florida refinery destroyed a 3500/42M module by using a non-Bently power supply—always pair with the 3500/10, and verify voltage (19.2-26.4VDC) before powering on.
- Ventilation: 30mm Minimum Clearance: The compact design dissipates heat through the chassis—blocking it with cables or adjacent equipment causes overheating. A Michigan paper mill’s rack shut down during summer until clearance was increased to 30mm. Avoid mounting the rack against heat sources (e.g., motor housings).
- Mounting Torque: 3Nm for Rack/Wall Mounts: Under-torqued mounts cause vibration-induced module movement, leading to loose connections. A North Carolina refinery’s remote pump module triggered random alarms until the rack was re-torqued to 3Nm. Use lock washers in high-vibration environments.
- Ignore Spare Slot Temptation: Don’t Modify for Extra Modules: Rookies drill extra slots to fit a second module, damaging the backplane. A Texas chemical plant rendered a rack useless by attempting this—if you need two modules, use a 3500/15-04 (4-slot) instead of modifying the 1-slot rack.
Bently 3500/15-01 125840-02
Technical Deep Dive & Overview
The Bently 3500/15-01 125840-02 is a compact, passive rack engineered to house single 3500 series modules in space-constrained or remote applications. At its core, a precision-machined passive backplane distributes power from the 3500/10 Power Module to the installed module and enables high-speed communication with the 3500 system (via the module’s backplane interface). The lack of active electronics reduces failure points, making it ideal for remote deployments where maintenance access is limited.
Keyed module slots prevent misinstallation by aligning the module’s connector with the backplane’s power and signal pins, ensuring consistent contact and eliminating communication latency. The steel chassis features anti-vibration mounting points that withstand 5g vibration (10-2000Hz), common in pump and fan enclosures. The 1U height and compact dimensions (483mm W × 44mm H × 300mm D) fit in standard 19-inch racks or small control panels, making it versatile for both new installations and retrofits.
Unlike generic compact racks, this unit is API 670 compliant, meeting the strict reliability and precision requirements for machinery protection systems. It integrates seamlessly with all 3500 modules, from monitoring (3500/42M) to relay (3500/25) and communication (3500/94) units, providing a consistent platform across critical and auxiliary assets. For maintenance teams, this rack isn’t just a housing—it’s a cost-effective, reliable way to extend 3500 protection to remote or space-limited machinery, ensuring no asset is left unmonitored.
