Description

The BENTLY 3500/15 is a 15-slot rack chassis manufactured by Bently Nevada,a Baker Hughes company,categorized as a monitoring system frame.It serves as the structural and electrical backbone of the 3500 Series Machinery Protection System,housing key modules such as power supplies,interface units,and vibration monitoring cards.Designed for industrial turbomachinery environments,the 3500/15 provides a reliable,scalable platform for continuous condition monitoring and asset protection.

Application Scenarios

At a natural gas compression station in Alberta,a critical centrifugal compressor was protected by a Bently Nevada 3500 system.When the original BENTLY 3500/15 chassis developed internal bus faults due to prolonged exposure to vibration and temperature swings,the entire monitoring system became unstable—risking unplanned shutdowns.Engineers replaced it with a refurbished BENTLY 3500/15 chassis,reinstalled all modules,and restored full monitoring within two hours.The seamless transition ensured uninterrupted protection of a$12M asset,proving that the BENTLY 3500/15 is more than a rack—it’s the central nervous system of machinery health monitoring.

Parameter

Main Parameters Value/Description

Product Model 3500/15

Manufacturer Bently Nevada(a Baker Hughes company)

Product Category Monitoring System Chassis/Rack Frame

Slot Count 15 slots(supports up to 15 standard 3500 series modules)

Compatible Modules 3500/25,3500/42M,3500/45M,3500/22,3500/34,3500/33,etc.

Power Supply Support Dual 3500/22M or 3500/25 modules for redundant operation

Backplane Type Integrated high-reliability backplane with hot-swap support

Installation Method 19-inch rack mount(standard industrial cabinet)

Dimensions(H×W×D)13.3×19.0×15.6 in(338×483×396 mm)

Weight Approx.22 lbs(10 kg)without modules

Environmental Rating Operating:-10°C to+60°C,Storage:-40°C to+85°C

Communication Interface RS-485,Modbus,Ethernet(via 3500/42M or 3500/45M modules)

Redundancy Support Full module and power redundancy capable

Compliance CE,UL,CSA,ATEX(when installed per guidelines)

Technical Principles and Innovative Values

Innovation Point 1:Modular System Architecture

The BENTLY 3500/15 is engineered as the central hub of a scalable monitoring ecosystem.Its 15-slot design allows flexible configuration—from basic vibration monitoring to full multi-parameter protection(vibration,shaft position,temperature,speed).This modularity enables plant engineers to upgrade protection levels without replacing the entire chassis.

Innovation Point 2:Hot-Swappable&Redundant Design

Unlike fixed industrial controllers,the BENTLY 3500/15 supports hot-swapping of modules.Critical components like power supplies(3500/22M)and communication cards(3500/42M)can be replaced under power,minimizing downtime.When configured with dual power modules,the 3500/15 ensures continuous operation even during power supply failure.

Innovation Point 3:High-Integrity Backplane Communication

The integrated backplane of the BENTLY 3500/15 uses a deterministic,low-latency bus architecture to ensure real-time data flow between modules.This is critical for alarm processing and trip logic execution—where milliseconds matter in preventing catastrophic machine failure.

Innovation Point 4:Ruggedized for Harsh Environments

Built with industrial-grade materials and conformal coating on internal circuits,the BENTLY 3500/15 withstands extreme temperatures,humidity,and EMI commonly found in oil&gas,power generation,and petrochemical plants.Its 19-inch rack design ensures compatibility with existing control rooms and seismic bracing requirements.

Application Cases and Industry Value

In a combined-cycle power plant in Texas,a steam turbine’s original BENTLY 3500/15 chassis had been in service for over 15 years.During a scheduled outage,engineers replaced it with a remanufactured unit to avoid obsolescence risks.All legacy modules were transferred,and the system came online without recalibration.The plant avoided a potential forced outage,as the new BENTLY 3500/15 restored full vibration and displacement monitoring—ensuring turbine protection remained intact.

Similarly,in an offshore LNG platform,space and reliability are paramount.The BENTLY 3500/15 was chosen over distributed systems due to its compact footprint and proven track record.Even after salt spray exposure and constant vibration,the chassis maintained signal integrity.Operators reported zero false trips over five years,directly contributing to safety and operational continuity.

Related Product Combination Solutions

3500/25:Dual-channel power supply module,often used in pairs within the BENTLY 3500/15 for redundancy.

3500/42M:Digital communication module(Modbus RTU/TCP)that enables integration with DCS/SCADA via the 3500/15.

3500/45M:Ethernet communication module for OPC UA and web-based monitoring from the BENTLY 3500/15 rack.

3500/22:Older power supply module,compatible with the BENTLY 3500/15 for legacy system support.

3500/34:4-Channel Proximitor module for radial shaft vibration monitoring,commonly installed in the 3500/15.

3500/33:4-Channel Temperature Input module for integrating RTD/thermocouple signals into the 3500/15 system.

3500/85:Display module for local HMI,often mounted in the same rack as the BENTLY 3500/15 for operator access.

3500/92:Relay module for alarm and trip outputs,typically housed in the BENTLY 3500/15 for machine protection.

Installation,Maintenance,and Full-Cycle Support

Installing the BENTLY 3500/15 requires secure mounting in a 19-inch industrial rack with proper grounding.Modules are inserted from the front and locked into the backplane—no additional cabling needed for data.Power and signal wiring are terminated on the rear of each module.After installation,the system automatically detects modules and initializes communication.

Routine maintenance includes checking for loose modules,cleaning dust from vents,and verifying LED status on power and communication cards.The BENTLY 3500/15 has no moving parts,but periodic inspection of power supplies and backup batteries is recommended.

We supply fully tested BENTLY 3500/15 chassis units,each inspected for backplane integrity and mechanical stability.Every unit is backed by an 18-month warranty and technical support for integration,troubleshooting,and system optimization.