Bently Nevada 330104 Proximity Probe Modules

Technical Dossier

Product Details And Specifications

Bently Nevada 330104 Series: Comprehensive Module Range and Technical Overview

The Bently Nevada 330104 Series represents one of the most widely deployed proximity probe product lines in global heavy industry. Manufactured by Bently Nevada (a Baker Hughes company), the 330104 is an 8 mm eddy-current proximity transducer designed for continuous, non-contact measurement of shaft radial vibration, axial position, and differential expansion in rotating machinery. Its installed base spans critical asset classes including steam turbines, gas turbines, centrifugal compressors, and large induction motors operating in chemical plants, nuclear power stations, petroleum refineries, LNG terminals, and offshore platforms.

The 330104 operates as part of the 3300 XL transducer system, which includes the probe, extension cable, and proximitor sensor. The system is calibrated as a matched set and is fully compatible with Bently Nevada 3300, 3500, and System 1 machinery protection and condition monitoring platforms. Its output is a standard -24 VDC bias voltage with a sensitivity of 7.87 V/mm (200 mV/mil), making it interchangeable across a broad range of monitor card inputs without signal conditioning modification.

Due to the safety-critical nature of its application—turbomachinery protection in SIL-rated loops—the 330104 series maintains a long service life in the field. Many units installed in the 1990s and early 2000s remain in active service, creating sustained demand for both new and refurbished spare parts.

The Evolution of 330104 Architecture

The 330104 probe line was introduced as part of Bently Nevada's 3300 XL transducer system, which succeeded the earlier 3300 series (non-XL) probes. The architectural transition from the 3300 to the 3300 XL platform addressed three primary engineering constraints: improved EMI shielding for high-noise industrial environments, tighter dimensional tolerancing for direct-mount installations in OEM turbine housings, and standardized connector interfaces compatible with the 330130 and 330180 extension cable families.

The 330104 probe body is constructed from 316 stainless steel with a PEEK (polyether ether ketone) tip for chemical resistance. Early variants used a solder-cup connector; later production runs transitioned to a molded, environmentally sealed connector body rated to IP67. The internal coil winding geometry was refined across production generations to reduce temperature coefficient of sensitivity, improving accuracy across the -35°C to +177°C operating range.

Compatibility note: 330104 probes are not interchangeable with the earlier 330100 (standard 3300 series) probes without recalibration of the proximitor sensor. The 3300 XL system requires matched-set calibration. When replacing a 330104 probe in a legacy 3300 (non-XL) installation, the proximitor sensor (330180 or 330130 series) must also be replaced or recalibrated to maintain system accuracy within ±0.5% of full scale.

The 330104 series is currently classified as a mature product. Bently Nevada continues to manufacture select configurations, but a significant portion of the SKU matrix—particularly short-cable, non-armored variants—has transitioned to limited availability or end-of-life status. The 330104 has no direct drop-in replacement within the current Bently Nevada catalog; the closest functional successor is the 330900 series (REBAM® probe), which requires different proximitor electronics and is not backward-compatible with 3500 series monitor cards without hardware modification.

330104 Full Catalog & Functionalities (SKU List)

The following SKUs represent the principal configurations of the Bently Nevada 330104 proximity probe series. Each model is defined by probe length, cable length, and connector/armor configuration. All units output -24 VDC bias at 200 mV/mil sensitivity unless otherwise noted.

330104-00-06-10-02-00: 8 mm probe, 0.5 m integral cable, standard connector, non-armored, general-purpose radial vibration measurement.

330104-00-06-10-02-05: 8 mm probe, 0.5 m integral cable, standard connector, armored cable, suitable for high-abrasion environments.

330104-00-12-10-02-00: 8 mm probe, 1.0 m integral cable, standard connector, non-armored, extended reach for deep-bore installations.

330104-00-18-10-02-00: 8 mm probe, 1.5 m integral cable, standard connector, non-armored, used in large-frame turbine housings.

330104-00-24-10-02-00: 8 mm probe, 2.0 m integral cable, standard connector, non-armored, long-reach configuration for generator end bearings.

330104-00-30-10-02-00: 8 mm probe, 2.5 m integral cable, standard connector, non-armored, extended cable for remote proximitor mounting.

330104-00-36-10-02-00: 8 mm probe, 3.0 m integral cable, standard connector, non-armored, maximum standard integral cable length in this series.

330104-09-18-05-01-05: 8 mm probe, 1.5 m integral cable, metric thread M10×1, armored, high-temperature variant rated to 177°C continuous.

330104-09-18-10-01-05: 8 mm probe, 1.5 m integral cable, metric thread M10×1, armored, standard temperature, common OEM turbine replacement.

330104-09-24-10-01-05: 8 mm probe, 2.0 m integral cable, metric thread M10×1, armored, used in compressor train axial position measurement.

330104-09-30-10-01-05: 8 mm probe, 2.5 m integral cable, metric thread M10×1, armored, extended reach with full armor protection.

330104-09-36-10-01-05: 8 mm probe, 3.0 m integral cable, metric thread M10×1, armored, long-reach armored variant for harsh-environment installations.

330104-00-06-05-02-00: 8 mm probe, 0.5 m integral cable, high-temperature PEEK tip, non-armored, rated for steam turbine bearing housings up to 177°C.

330104-00-12-05-02-00: 8 mm probe, 1.0 m integral cable, high-temperature PEEK tip, non-armored, extended reach high-temperature variant.

330104-00-18-05-02-05: 8 mm probe, 1.5 m integral cable, high-temperature PEEK tip, armored, dual-rated for temperature and mechanical protection.

330104-00-24-05-02-05: 8 mm probe, 2.0 m integral cable, high-temperature PEEK tip, armored, used in nuclear-grade turbine protection systems.

330104-00-36-05-02-05: 8 mm probe, 3.0 m integral cable, high-temperature PEEK tip, armored, maximum-length high-temperature armored configuration.

Sourcing Hard-to-Find & Obsolete 330104 Parts

DriveKNMS maintains a dedicated inventory program for Bently Nevada 330104 series probes, with particular focus on configurations that have reached end-of-life or limited-availability status through the OEM channel. Our sourcing strategy addresses three categories of supply constraint:

Discontinued short-cable variants (0.5 m and 1.0 m integral cable, non-armored): These configurations were phased out of standard production as OEM turbine builders standardized on longer cable runs. DriveKNMS sources these from decommissioned machinery, certified refurbishment programs, and authorized distributor excess inventory.

High-temperature armored combinations: The intersection of high-temperature PEEK tip and full armor protection represents a low-volume, high-criticality configuration. Lead times through OEM channels can exceed 16 weeks. DriveKNMS maintains buffer stock of the most common configurations to support planned outage windows.

Matched-set assemblies: For installations requiring a calibrated probe-cable-proximitor set (e.g., 330104 probe + 330130 extension cable + 330180 proximitor), DriveKNMS can supply pre-matched and calibrated assemblies with full traceability documentation, reducing on-site commissioning time.

All sourced units are subject to full incoming inspection before entering inventory. Units from decommissioned equipment are disassembled, inspected, and recalibrated before resale. DriveKNMS does not sell untested or uncertified units for safety-critical applications.

Quality Control for the 330104 Range

The 330104 proximity probe operates as a passive inductive element; its performance is determined by coil inductance, tip geometry, and cable impedance. DriveKNMS applies the following test protocol to all 330104 units processed through its facility:

DC resistance measurement: Coil resistance is measured at the connector and compared against the OEM specification (nominally 8–12 Ω for the 8 mm probe body). Out-of-tolerance units are rejected.

Inductance verification: Coil inductance is measured at 1 kHz using a precision LCR meter. Deviation greater than ±5% from nominal indicates coil damage or counterfeit construction.

Cable continuity and insulation resistance: Full cable length is tested for continuity and insulation resistance (minimum 100 MΩ at 500 VDC). Armored cable variants are additionally tested for shield continuity.

System-level calibration check: Where a matched proximitor is available, the probe is installed in a calibration fixture and the output voltage vs. gap curve is verified against the 3300 XL calibration standard (200 mV/mil ± 1%). The calibration certificate is issued with the unit.

Connector inspection: Connector bodies are inspected for pin damage, corrosion, and seal integrity. Molded connectors with cracked or deformed bodies are replaced before resale.

Dimensional inspection: Probe tip diameter and thread dimensions are verified to OEM drawing tolerances. This step is critical for probes sourced from non-OEM channels to detect counterfeit or non-conforming units.