--- title: ABB Launches AEGIS Shaft Grounding Ring Option Code VC588 for IEC Motors description: ABB’s new Variant Code for Low Voltage Motors (VC588) uses AEGIS Shaft Grounding Rings inside the motors to mitigate the effects of bearing currents. image: https://blog.est-aegis.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/fluting-2.png --- [![Electro Static Technology](https://blog.est-aegis.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/public/images/electro-static-technology.svg "Electro Static Technology")](https://www.est-aegis.com/) [![Aegis](https://blog.est-aegis.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/public/images/Aegis.svg "Aegis")](https://www.est-aegis.com/) - [+1 866-738-1857](tel:+1%20866-738-1857) - [Products](https://www.est-aegis.com/products/) - [AEGIS® SGR – for motors under 500 HP/375 kW](https://www.est-aegis.com/product/sgr/) - [AEGIS® uKIT – for common NEMA/IEC frame size](https://www.est-aegis.com/product/sgr-ukit/) - [AEGIS® RPPR – for reactor recirculating pumps](https://www.est-aegis.com/rppr-resources/) - [AEGIS® EV and EVO Rings - for electric vehicles](https://www.est-aegis.com/product/ev-evo-rings/) - [AEGIS® PRO Series – for motors over 300 HP/225 kW](https://www.est-aegis.com/product/pro-series/) - [Shaft Voltage Testing and Accessories](https://www.est-aegis.com/product/mounting-accessories/) - [Online Product Catalog](https://catalog.est-aegis.com/) - [AEGIS® 2-Year Extended Warranty](https://www.est-aegis.com/product/extended-warranty/) - [Applications](https://www.est-aegis.com/applications/) - [Electric Vehicle Solutions](https://www.est-aegis.com/applications/electric-vehicle-solutions/) - [Food & Beverage](https://www.est-aegis.com/applications/food-beverage/) - [HVAC](https://www.est-aegis.com/applications/hvac/) - [Industrial & Chemical](https://www.est-aegis.com/applications/industrial-chemical/) - [Other Industries](https://www.est-aegis.com/applications/other-industries/) - [Power Generation & Renewable Energy](https://www.est-aegis.com/applications/power-generation-renewable-energy/) - [Transportation](https://www.est-aegis.com/applications/transportation/) - [Water Treatment](https://www.est-aegis.com/applications/water-treatment/) - [Bearing Protection](https://www.est-aegis.com/bearing-protection/) - [Shaft Voltage & Bearing Currents](https://www.est-aegis.com/bearing-protection/shaft-voltage-and-bearing-currents/) - [Fluting & Bearing Inspection](https://www.est-aegis.com/bearing-protection/fluting-and-bearing-inspection/) - [Best Practices & Installation](https://www.est-aegis.com/bearing-protection/best-practices-and-installation/) - [Resources](https://www.est-aegis.com/resources/) - [AEGIS® Bearing Protection Handbook](https://www.est-aegis.com/resources/handbook/) - [IEEE-841, Hazardous Locations, & AEGIS®](https://info.est-aegis.com/technical-codes-and-ieee-841-standards) - [Recorded Webinars Library](https://www.est-aegis.com/resources/recorded-webinars/) - [Installation Instructions](https://www.est-aegis.com/resources/installation-instructions/) - [Videos](https://www.est-aegis.com/resources/videos/) - [Technical Papers](https://www.est-aegis.com/resources/technical-papers/) - [Case Studies](https://www.est-aegis.com/resources/case-studies/) - [Specifying AEGIS®](https://www.est-aegis.com/resources/specifying-aegis/) - [Request Training](https://www.est-aegis.com/resources/training/) - [Product Sheets](https://www.est-aegis.com/resources/product-sheets/) - [About](https://www.est-aegis.com/about/) - [News](https://blog.est-aegis.com/) - [Tradeshows](https://www.est-aegis.com/about/tradeshows/) - [Blog](https://blog.est-aegis.com/) - [Where to Buy](https://www.est-aegis.com/where-to-buy/) - [Distributors](https://www.est-aegis.com/where-to-buy/distributors?type=Distributor) - [Trained Installers](https://www.est-aegis.com/where-to-buy/installers?type=Installer) - [Explosion Proof Installers](https://www.est-aegis.com/where-to-buy/installers?type=Explosion%20Proof%20Installer) - [Motors & Seals with AEGIS® Installed](https://www.est-aegis.com/where-to-buy/oems-with-aegis/) [Contact Us](https://www.est-aegis.com/contact/) - [+1 866-738-1857](tel:+1%20866-738-1857) # ABB Launches AEGIS Shaft Grounding Ring Option Code VC588 for IEC Motors [Home](https://www.est-aegis.com/) » [Blog](https://blog.est-aegis.com/) » ABB Launches AEGIS Shaft Grounding Ring Option Code VC588 for IEC Motors [AEGIS](https://blog.est-aegis.com/author/estaegis) Oct 23, 2018 ABB's new Variant Code for IEC Low Voltage Motors (VC588) uses AEGIS® Shaft Grounding Rings installed inside the motors to mitigate the effects of bearing currents.  In various publications, ABB has described the phenomenon of bearing current as follows. Bearing currents can be divided into four different categories: - Electrostatic discharge currents (EDM) - Capacitive bearing currents - Circulating currents - Rotor ground currents In detail, the three partial mitigation techniques for bearing currents are: - Incorporating an insulated bearing at the non-drive end - Using a common mode filter in conjunction with a VSD - Earthing and cabling of transformer, VSD, motor, and load-train ![Bearing exposed to bearing current](https://blog.est-aegis.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/fluting-2.png?width=292&height=219&name=fluting-2.png) This bearing has been exposed to bearing current. Note the EDM damage to the race track and bearing elements. Photo courtesy of SKF. **How to deal with persistent bearing current issues** The two **new enhanced approaches** to solving the persistent bearing current problems are:   ![Cutaway image of an ABB motor, showing the AEGIS ring installed inside.](https://blog.est-aegis.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/cutaway-3.jpg?width=250&height=230&name=cutaway-3.jpg) An AEGIS Shaft Grounding Ring is used to solve bearing current problems. Image courtesy of ABB.   - **AEGIS Shaft Grounding Rings installed internally** An important new solution for motors in IEC frame sizes 132 to 250is to install an **AEGIS Shaft Grounding Ring** that directs the current to ground via the ring, rather than through the bearing. This protects the motor itself and the complete installation. The ring can be pre-installed on new motors by specifying the **variant code VC588**. Or it can be retrofitted on-site. Note: AEGIS Shaft Grounding Rings can be installed on all sizes of motors. - Insulated bearings at both the drive and non-drive ends **How can you measure bearing currents?** In most cases, it is difficult for operators to measure any bearing current that might be present on a standard motor.  But if bearing currents are suspected they can be detected using special equipment operated by experienced personnel.  ABB has developed vast experience in carrying out these measurements on motor and drive installations in a variety of different applications worldwide.  You also can use the **AEGIS Shaft Voltage Tester**, an oscilloscope, to measure shaft voltage and clearly detect the EDM discharge pattern.   ![Shaft voltage discharge and fluted bearing](https://blog.est-aegis.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/discharge-5_1.png?width=649&height=265&name=discharge-5_1.png) Shaft voltage reading showing bearing current and fluted bearing race, from a motor not protected with an AEGIS Shaft Grounding Ring     ![Low shaft voltage and undamaged bearing](https://blog.est-aegis.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/discharge-6.png?width=649&height=265&name=discharge-6.png) No bearing current indicated in shaft voltage, and undamaged bearing race, of a motor protected by an AEGIS ring.   **Summary:  Bearing currents can be avoided** When bearing current is present, there is no "one size fits all" solution.  It is vital for the user and motor and drive supplier to work together to identify the most appropriate solution for the specific application.  Ensuring the correct use of grounding and connection cables according to best practice will always be an important first step.  New solutions in the form of AEGIS Shaft Grounding Rings in combination with insulated or hybrid bearings are now showing significant promise as a cost-effective way of eliminating the potentially harmful effects of bearing currents. [Electrical Bearing Damage](https://blog.est-aegis.com/tag/electrical-bearing-damage), [Motors with AEGIS Installed](https://blog.est-aegis.com/tag/motors-with-aegis-installed) ### Subscribe To Our Blog ## Read On ### [8 Answers to Shaft Grounding Questions - Don't Let Bearing Failures Cost You](https://blog.est-aegis.com/8-answers-to-shaft-grounding-questions-dont-let-bearing-failures-cost-you?hsLang=en-us) Questions and Answers from the Plant Services Webinar, "Motors & Drives: VFDs and Motors -- What... ### [Discovering and Preventing Bearing Current Damage](https://blog.est-aegis.com/discovering-and-preventing-bearing-current-damage?hsLang=en-us) Electric motors are prone to many sources of damage, some more common and some better known. An... ### [Without Bearing Protection, Motors Can Fail](https://blog.est-aegis.com/without-bearing-protection-motors-can-fail?hsLang=en-us) ##### VFD-induced shaft voltage damages motor bearings and shortens motor life If you’re using variable... 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