Description
The Bently Nevada PWA86739-01U is a specialized circuit board assembly designed for high-reliability vibration monitoring and machinery protection systems. As part of the Bently Nevada legacy instrumentation line, this board processes transducer signals to provide accurate data on rotor dynamics and casing vibration. It is engineered to operate within the demanding environments of power plants and industrial facilities, featuring high-precision signal conditioning and robust electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding.
- System Series: Bently Nevada 3300 / 3500 Series compatible
- Function: Signal Conditioning and Monitoring PCB
- Input Signal Support: Proximitor® sensors, Velomitor®, and Accelerometers
- Input Impedance: Standard 10 kΩ (system dependent)
- Operating Voltage: -24V DC nominal (standard for Bently Nevada systems)
- Signal Output: Buffered analog outputs and logic-level trip alerts

Product Datasheet
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Model | Bently Nevada PWA86739-01U |
| Type | Printed Wiring Assembly (PWA) |
| Dimensions | 240 x 190 x 20 mm |
| Weight | 0.45 kg |
| Country of Origin | USA |
| Revision | U (indicating specific hardware update) |
| Mounting | Card cage / Rack mount |
Application Fields
This circuit board is a critical component for condition monitoring in heavy rotating machinery, including:
- Steam and Gas Turbines: Monitoring radial vibration and axial thrust to prevent catastrophic shaft failure.
- Centrifugal Compressors: Detecting surge and mechanical imbalances in oil and gas processing.
- Large Cooling Fans: Ensuring structural integrity and preventing blade fatigue in industrial cooling towers.
- Hydroelectric Generators: Real-time monitoring of bearing temperatures and shaft runout.
Product Instructions
- Preparation: Before installation, verify that the rack power is turned off or that the specific slot is bypassed to prevent accidental machine trips.
- ESD Protection: Ensure the technician is wearing a grounded anti-static wrist strap. Handle the PWA86739-01U only by the non-conductive edges.
- Hardware Configuration: Check the onboard jumpers or DIP switches to ensure they match the specific sensor type (e.g., 200 mV/mil for proximity probes).
- Insertion: Carefully align the board with the upper and lower guide rails of the card cage. Slide the board forward until the rear connectors engage with the backplane.
- Securing: Tighten the front panel thumb screws to ensure a reliable ground connection and to prevent vibration from loosening the board.
Q&A – Common Questions
Q1: What does the “PWA” prefix indicate in the part number? A1: “PWA” stands for Printed Wiring Assembly. It refers to the completed board with all electronic components soldered and tested, as opposed to “PWB” which refers to the bare board.
Q2: Can this board be “Hot-Swapped” while the rack is powered? A2: While many Bently Nevada racks support hot-swapping, it is critical to place the specific monitor channel in “Bypass” mode first to prevent the transient signal from triggering a machine shutdown.
Q3: How do I troubleshoot a “NOT OK” LED status for this board? A3: A “NOT OK” status typically indicates a transducer gap issue, a broken field wire, or an internal board fault. Use a multimeter to check the -24V DC supply and the transducer bias voltage at the backplane.
Related Product Recommendations
- Bently Nevada 3500/22M | Transient Data Interface
- Bently Nevada 3500/15 | Low-Voltage DC Power Supply
- Bently Nevada 3500/42M | Proximitor Seismic Monitor
- Bently Nevada 3300/16 | Dual Proximitor Monitor
- Bently Nevada 136294-01 | Keyphasor® I/O Module

