SKF BCU User manual

Installation, operation and maintenance manual
BCU control unit
Read this manual before installing,
operating or maintaining this actuator.
Failure to follow safety precautions and
instructions could cause actuator failure
and result in serious injury, death or
property damage.

® SKF is a registered trademark of the SKF Group.
© SKF Group 
The contents of this publication are the copyright of the publisher and may not be reproduced (even
extracts) unless prior written permission is granted. Every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy
of the information contained in this publication but no liability can be accepted for any loss or damage
whether direct, indirect or consequential arising out of the use of the information contained herein.
PUB MT/P  EN · December 
Certain image(s) used under license from Shutterstock.com.


Table of content
SKF – the knowledge engineering company. . . . . . . 
Basic Principles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
. Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Operating Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Validity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Target Audience. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Summary of Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Organizational Measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Location of the operating manual. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Warning and usage instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Position numbers and referencing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
 Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Safety Program. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Purpose of use of the BCU control unit. . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Intended use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Unintended use. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
User groups. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Operating modes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Danger zones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Areas of responsibility. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Specific dangers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
. Safety EMC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Manufacturer’s declaration of EMC compliance . . . . . 
Instructions for use / General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Professional healthcare facility environment . . . . . . . 
Essential performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
RF communications equipments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Technical description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Requirements applicable to all ME equipment
and ME Systems Compliance for each Emission
and Immunity standards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Emission guidance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Instruction for maintaining BASIC Safety and
Essential performance for the expected Service life . . . 
One time approved in the final application not
change it allowed due to the EMC influence . . . . . . . . 
. Structure and function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Structure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Options and Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
. Normal Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Preconditions for operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
BCU control unit Powering on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Shutting down . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
. Special Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Installation and Initial Start-Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Preparation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Transport. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Check the supply schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Energy supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Installation and connections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Erection and alignment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Process: Connect the operating device. . . . . . . . . . . . 
Process: Connecting the actuator unit . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Process: Mount the safety protective cover . . . . . . . . 
Process: Connect ground wire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Initial Start-Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Installation inspection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Commissioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
. Maintenance, Clearing Malfunctions, Repair . . . 
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Maintenance plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Cleaning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Malfunctions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Fault rectification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
. Removing from Service, Dismantling
and Disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Shutting down. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Dismantling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Disposal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
. Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Technical Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Device Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Operating data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Ambient conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Plans and Schemes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 


From one simple but
inspired solution to
a misalignment
problem in a textile
mill in Sweden, and
fifteen employees in
1907, SKF has
grown to become a
global industrial
knowledge leader.
Over the years, we have built on our exper-
tise in bearings, extending it to seals, mecha-
tronics, services and lubrication systems.
Our knowledge network includes 46 000
employees, 15 000 distributor partners,
offices in more than 130 countries, and a
growing number of SKF Solution Factory
sites around the world.
Research and development
We have hands-on experience in over forty
industries based on our employees’ know-
ledge of real life conditions. In addition, our
world-leading experts and university part-
ners pioneer advanced theoretical research
and development in areas including tribol-
ogy, condition monitoring, asset manage-
ment and bearing life theory. Our ongoing
commitment to research and development
helps us keep our customers at the forefront
of their industries.
Meeting the toughest challenges
Our network of knowledge and experience,
along with our understanding of how our
core technologies can be combined, helps
us create innovative solutions that meet the
toughest of challenges. We work closely with
our customers throughout the asset life
cycle, helping them to profitably and
responsibly grow their businesses.
SKF Solution Factory makes SKF knowledge and manufacturing expertise
available locally to provide unique solutions and services to our customers.
Working with SKF IT and logistics systems and application experts, SKF
Authorized Distributors deliver a valuable mix of product and application
knowledge to customers worldwide.
Working for a sustainable future
Since 2005, SKF has worked to reduce the
negative environmental impact from our
operations and those of our suppliers. Our
continuing technology development resulted
in the introduction of the SKF BeyondZero
portfolio of products and services which im-
prove efficiency and reduce energy losses,
as well as enable new technologies har-
nessing wind, solar and ocean power. This
combined approach helps reduce the envir-
onmental impact both in our operations and
our customers’ operations.
SKF – the knowledge engineering
company


Bearings
SKF is the world leader in the design, development
and manufacture of high performance rolling
bearings, plain bearings, bearing units and
housings.
Machinery maintenance
Condition monitoring technologies and main-
tenance services from SKF can help minimize
unplanned downtime, improve operational
efficiency and reduce maintenance costs.
Sealing solutions
SKF offers standard seals and custom engineered
sealing solutions to increase uptime, improve
machine reliability, reduce friction and power
losses, and extend lubricant life.
Mechatronics
SKF fly-by-wire systems for aircraft and drive-by-
wire systems for off-road, agricultural and forklift
applications replace heavy, grease or oil consuming
mechanical and hydraulic systems.
Lubrication solutions
From specialized lubricants to state-of-the-art
lubrication systems and lubrication management
services, lubrication solutions from SKF can help to
reduce lubrication related downtime and lubricant
consumption.
Actuation and motion control
With a wide assortment of products – from actu-
ators and ball screws to profile rail guides – SKF
can work with you to solve your most pressing
linear system challenges.
Our knowledge
– your success
SKF Life Cycle Management is how we combine our technology
platforms and advanced services, and apply them at each stage
of the asset life cycle, to help our customers to be more
successful, sustainable and profitable.
Working closely with you
Our objective is to help our customers
improve productivity, minimize mainten-
ance, achieve higher energy and resource
efficiency, and optimize designs for long
service life and reliability.
Innovative solutions
Whether the application is linear or rotary
or a combination, SKF engineers can work
with you at each stage of the asset life cycle
to improve machine performance by looking
at the entire application. This approach
doesn’t just focus on individual components
like bearings or seals. It looks at the whole
application to see how each component in-
teracts with each other.
Design optimization and verification
SKF can work with you to optimize current
or new designs with proprietary 3-D mod-
elling software that can also be used as a
virtual test rig to confirm the integrity of the
design.
SKF Life Cycle
Management
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

Basic Principles
The following chapters are part of the basic principles:
 Introduction, page 
 Safety, page 
 Structure and function, page 
. Introduction
This chapter contains information on the structure and cate-
gorization of the operating manual. It simplifies the handling
of the operating manual and facilitates fast access to the
desired information.
Operating Instructions
SKF Actuation System (Lieastal) AG manufactures state-of-
the-art electric actuators, control units and operating
equipment.
The object of this operating manual is to give you, the user, an
introduction to correct and safe use.
In order to make it possible to reach this objective, it is imper-
ative that you should read the chapter Safety († . Safety,
page ) carefully and follow the instructions in this operating
manual.
Validity
The instructions in this manual refer to the linear actuator
BCU control unit with the following identification:
• Manufacturer: SKF
• Product name: BCU control unit
• Type designation: BCUxx-xxx xxx-xxxx
• Year of manufacturer: 
• CE-mark: according to the technical documentation
Target Audience
The operating manual is intended for technical personnel and
authorized users who use the BCU control unit in their prod-
ucts and work with them. The Operating Authority determines
who is authorized as the user.
We distinguish between different user groups, as the require-
ments on the users vary, depending on the activity they
perform.


NOTE: you will find definitions of the user groups along with
their corresponding requirements in the chapter on safety
(† . Safety, page ). You can assume one or more of these
user groups provided you meet the applicable requirements.
The organization and implementation of the operating
instructions takes into account the different user groups.
Summary of Contents
The operating instructions serve as a reference work. The
information therein is organized into four task- and
theme-related parts:
Basic Principles
Normal
Operation
Special
Operations
Appendix
The Basic Principles section gives the basic knowledge that
every user should have.
The Appendix contains information that the user has to be
able to access at any time. This includes information on
using the operating instructions (indexes) as well as data
concerning the product itself (technical data).
Aids for accessing information
This manual has access aids that make it easier for you to
quickly access the desired information:
• You can most easily find all information on a given topic
from the Table of Contents, thanks to the task and
theme-related organization of the operating instructions.
• Information on a certain activity or a special topic can be
found most quickly through the Index.
• Within the chapters of the operating instructions, you can
orient yourself with the help of the margin notes.
The Special Operations section describes all jobs deviating
from normal operation, such as installation, initial start-up,
maintenance, fixing faults and doing repairs.
The Normal Operation section contains information needed
for operating the product under normal conditions, i.e.
undisrupted operation for use according to its intended
application.


Organizational Measures
In case of questions to which answers cannot be found in the
operating manual, please directly contact the manufacturer.
Location of the operating manual
The operating manual can only be of any use to you if you
have access to it at all times. Therefore, always keep it accessi-
ble near the machine.
Conventions
In this operating manual, we use some abbreviations and
markings for identifying text sections or notes. The depiction
conventions are described in the following paragraphs.
Warning and usage instructions
Please note the significance of the following warning and
usage instructions:
NOTE: Pointers to usage information that understand the
user to use the product in a technically correct and efficient
manner or understand the properties of the product.
CAUTION
Warnings for instructing the user on the residual dangers to persons
and property that remain owing to the incomplete efficacy of the pro-
tective measures; note regarding special training and personal pro-
tection equipment that may be required.
WARNING
Warnings regarding irreparable damage to persons and property that
have been found to exist on the basis of the danger analysis. With a
pointer regarding protective measures and any special training and
personal protection equipment that may be required.
Position
numbers
Cross-references
to text positions
Position numbers and referencing
We number parts in diagrams in serial order in the clockwise
direction, with unique numbers.
Introduction
We put references to chapters or figures in brackets. They
contain the corresponding chapter number or figure number.


 Safety
This chapter targets all the users of the BCU control unit. It
contains information on safe use and optimum utilization.
Safety Program
The safety concept of the Magnetic Elektromotoren AG regu-
lates the authorization for use and the responsibilities of the
individual users.
The BCU control unit is constructed and built according to the
state-of-the-art and the recognized technical rules of safety.
EG-conformance is documented with the technical
documentation.
Purpose of use of the BCU control unit
The BCU control unit has been designed and constructed for
use in accordance with its intended purpose-conformant use.
If you use the BCU control unit for any use other than the use
described, the manufacturer cannot be held liable for damage
that results therefrom.
Intended use
The authorized use of the BCU control unit is the:
• Controlling of a maximum of three actuators for pressure or
tension-stressed strokes.
NOTE: The operations data can be obtained from chapter
Appendix of this operating manual (†Operating data,
page ) and are only valid for the use with Actuators from
SKF.
Unintended use
Control unit BCU are suitable for indoor use only and must not
be exposed to weathering, strong radiation fields, corrosive or
explosive atmospheric media (†Ambient condition, see
operating conditions page )
NOTE: Any authorized use of the device can cause personal
injury and property damage. Always adhere to the instruction
given in the manual.
User groups
To ensure safety, we place requirements on the users of the
BCU control unit, that must be adhered to under all circum-
stances. Only persons who meet the requirements are enti-
tled to use the BCU control unit.


We refer to all persons who operate, use, commission the
control unit, process it further or pass it on for further pro-
cessing as user groups. As the requirements of these user
groups strongly depend on their role, we distinguish between
the following user groups:
Safety
Operating
Authority
Persons
Device
Executor
Reseller
Operator
Technician
The danger zone covering persons includes, apart from the
actual users, third parties as well (other personnel, visitors,
patients etc.). In cases of damage, the liability is that of the
Operating Authority.
The operating authority is the contractual partner of the
executor or the reseller. They can impose legal conditions on
the operating authority when purchasing the control unit. The
operating authority ensures that the user is instructed on the
authorized use of the equipment.
The executor is the contractual partner of the reseller or the
manufacturer. He assembles the control unit into a total
device. He is authorized by the manufacturer of the BCU con-
trol unit to use the control unit in accordance with the regula-
tions and has the necessary expert knowledge.
The technician has the professional technical training to
implement the BCU control unit according to its authorized
use. Besides the chapter Safety, he is also familiar with the
chapter Special operating modes. He finds the necessary
technical characteristic data in the Annex.
The reseller forwards the machine.
Every other person who uses the BCU control unit we define
as an operator. The operator must have read the Safety chap-
ter in this manual before using the machine. Moreover, he
must be instructed about the normal operation by the operat-
ing authority.
Operating modes
intermittent The BCU control unit is exclusively intended for
intermittent operation (†Technical Data, page 34).
Danger zones
We differentiate between two danger zones that must be
observed, depending on user group.
The danger zone device comes under the user group Executor
and Technician and covers the BCU control unit and all the
mounted-on devices.
