Bently Nevada 3300 Series Proximity Probes – 330101-00-16-10-02-05

Technical Dossier

Product Details And Specifications

Bently Nevada 3300 Series Technical Notes

The Bently Nevada 3300 Series is an eddy-current proximity transducer system engineered for continuous, non-contact measurement of shaft vibration, axial position, differential expansion, and eccentricity in rotating machinery. Deployed across petrochemical refineries, nuclear power stations, LNG terminals, offshore platforms, and heavy industrial compressor trains, the 3300 Series represents one of the most widely installed machinery protection transducer families in the global process industry. Its architecture conforms to API 670 (Machinery Protection Systems) and is compatible with Bently Nevada's 3500 Series rack-based monitoring systems, making it the de facto standard for turbomachinery condition monitoring in critical asset environments.

The Evolution of 3300 Series Architecture

The 3300 Series was introduced as a successor to Bently Nevada's earlier 7200 Series transducer systems, addressing the need for higher temperature tolerance, improved signal linearity, and standardized cable assemblies compatible with modern DCS and safety instrumented systems (SIS). The core operating principle — eddy-current induction between the probe tip and a conductive target surface — has remained consistent, but successive generations introduced significant engineering refinements.

Early 3300 Series probes used a fixed-gap calibration methodology requiring field adjustment. Later revisions introduced factory-calibrated, interchangeable probe-extension-driver assemblies, eliminating the need for field recalibration when replacing individual components. The three-component architecture (probe, extension cable, driver/proximitor) became the defining structural characteristic of the series, enabling modular replacement without disturbing the machine casing or bearing housing.

The 3300 XL variant introduced extended temperature range operation (up to 177°C at the probe tip) and improved EMI shielding, addressing installation environments in high-temperature steam turbine casings and gas turbine exhaust sections. The 3300 NSv (Non-Standard voltage) variant was developed for installations requiring compatibility with legacy signal conditioning equipment operating outside the standard -24 VDC supply range. As the 3500 Series monitoring platform became the dominant rack system, 3300 Series transducers were validated for direct integration with 3500/25 and 3500/40M monitor modules, establishing a long-term compatibility baseline that remains in service across thousands of installed sites.

3300 Series Full Catalog & Functionalities (SKU List)

The following SKUs represent verified, commonly deployed models within the Bently Nevada 3300 Series. Models are organized by functional category.

Proximity Probes (Standard)

• 330101-00-16-10-02-05: 3300 XL 8mm probe, 16-inch cable, standard temperature, reverse mount
• 330101-00-08-10-02-05: 3300 XL 8mm probe, 8-inch cable, standard temperature, reverse mount
• 330101-00-24-10-02-05: 3300 XL 8mm probe, 24-inch cable, standard temperature, reverse mount
• 330101-00-30-10-02-05: 3300 XL 8mm probe, 30-inch cable, standard temperature, reverse mount
• 330103-00-16-10-02-05: 3300 XL 11mm probe, 16-inch cable, standard temperature, reverse mount
• 330103-00-08-10-02-05: 3300 XL 11mm probe, 8-inch cable, standard temperature, reverse mount
• 330103-00-24-10-02-05: 3300 XL 11mm probe, 24-inch cable, standard temperature, reverse mount
• 330104-00-16-10-02-05: 3300 XL 14mm probe, 16-inch cable, standard temperature, reverse mount
• 330104-00-08-10-02-05: 3300 XL 14mm probe, 8-inch cable, standard temperature, reverse mount

Proximity Probes (High Temperature / XL)

• 330101-00-16-10-01-05: 3300 XL 8mm probe, 16-inch cable, high-temperature rating, standard mount
• 330103-00-16-10-01-05: 3300 XL 11mm probe, 16-inch cable, high-temperature rating, standard mount
• 330104-00-16-10-01-05: 3300 XL 14mm probe, 16-inch cable, high-temperature rating, standard mount

Extension Cables

• 330130-080-00-00: 3300 Series extension cable, 8-meter length, standard shielding
• 330130-160-00-00: 3300 Series extension cable, 16-meter length, standard shielding
• 330130-050-00-00: 3300 Series extension cable, 5-meter length, standard shielding

Proximitor / Driver Modules

• 330180-X1-05: 3300 XL proximitor sensor, -24 VDC supply, standard output range
• 330180-X1-CN: 3300 XL proximitor sensor, -24 VDC supply, CE/ATEX certified variant
• 330185-00-24-10-02-05: 3300 NSv proximitor, non-standard voltage input, field-mount enclosure

Sourcing Hard-to-Find & Obsolete 3300 Series Parts

The Bently Nevada 3300 Series has entered the mature-to-declining phase of its product lifecycle. Baker Hughes (the current owner of the Bently Nevada brand) has progressively migrated new installations toward the 3500 Series monitoring platform with updated transducer specifications. However, the installed base of 3300 Series transducers across global refineries, power generation facilities, and compressor stations remains substantial, and direct OEM replacement supply has become increasingly constrained.

Quality Control for the 3300 Series Range

The 3300 Series transducer system requires functional validation across all three components — probe, extension cable, and proximitor — as a matched assembly. DriveKNMS applies the following test protocol to all 3300 Series units prior to dispatch:

• Gap voltage linearity test: Each probe-proximitor pair is tested across the full linear range (typically 0.25 mm to 2.25 mm gap) using a calibrated target disc of AISI 4140 steel, verifying output sensitivity within ±5% of the nominal scale factor (200 mV/mil or 7.87 V/mm).
• Cable continuity and insulation resistance: Extension cables are tested for conductor continuity, shield integrity, and insulation resistance (>100 MΩ at 500 VDC) to detect latent damage from prior installation.
• Proximitor supply current and output offset: Driver modules are powered at -24 VDC and verified for correct quiescent output voltage and supply current draw within OEM specification.
• High-temperature probe inspection: XL-rated probes are visually inspected for tip erosion, thread condition, and cable jacket integrity before functional testing.
• Matched assembly verification: Where a complete three-component assembly is supplied, the full system is tested as a unit and the matched serial numbers are recorded on the shipment certificate.