Housing Unit Accessories

What are housing unit accessories?

Housing unit accessories are the parts that fit onto or into bearing housings and units to protect, seal, lubricate, and secure them. They include end covers, seals, rubber seating rings, grease nipples, locking collars, grub screws, and fixing hardware. Fitting the right accessories helps keep dirt and water out of the bearing, guards rotating shaft ends, and makes maintenance easier, which all help to extend bearing life.

The most common accessories include:

• End covers and end caps, which fit over the end of a housing
• Seals and flingers, which add protection where the shaft passes through
• Rubber seating rings and cartridges, which hold an insert bearing and absorb vibration
• Grease nipples, grub screws, locking collars, and other fixing hardware.
• Locating rings, which fit beside the bearing in a split plummer block housing to hold it in position axially
  
  Accessories are matched to the housing or insert size.
• Each accessory is made to fit a particular housing series or insert size, so the size must match exactly.
• Many are available in different materials and colours, such as cast iron, steel, plastic, and food-grade versions.

Most accessories are sold individually, so they can be added to a new unit or used to replace worn parts on an existing one.

Why are housing unit accessories essential?

A bearing unit is only as good as its protection. In dusty, wet, or washdown conditions, dirt and water getting into the bearing are among the most common causes of early failure. End covers and extra seals keep contamination out, while closed covers also guard a rotating shaft end, which improves safety.

Replacement parts such as grease nipples, grub screws, and locking collars keep a unit working without the cost of replacing the whole housing. Rubber seating rings and cartridges reduce noise and vibration, and let insert bearings be fitted into light housings and frames.

Typical applications include:

• Conveyors in food processing and packaging
• Washdown and hygienic environments
• Agricultural and outdoor machinery
• Quarrying and dusty bulk handling
• Fans and ventilation equipment
• Machinery with exposed rotating shaft ends
• General plant maintenance and repair

The main types of housing unit accessories

• Closed end covers - Fit over the end of a housing where the shaft finishes inside it. They seal out dirt and water and act as a guard over the rotating shaft end.
• Open end covers - Fit over the end of a housing where the shaft passes through, with a seal around the shaft. They add an extra barrier against contamination.
• Food-grade end caps - Plastic end caps in blue or white, designed for food processing and hygienic environments. Bright colours make them easy to spot if they come loose.
• Seals and flingers - Extra seals or flinger rings fitted beside the insert bearing, for very dusty or wet conditions.
• Rubber seating rings - Rubber rings that fit around an insert bearing in its housing, to absorb vibration, reduce noise, and help seat the bearing.
• Rubber cartridges - Rubber mountings that hold an insert bearing in a pressed steel pillow block, for quieter running.
• Grease nipples - Replacement nipples for relubricating bearing units, in straight and angled versions and different thread sizes.
• Grub screws and locking collars - Replacement fixings for locking insert bearings to the shaft.
• End covers for plummer blocks - Covers that close off one end of a split plummer block housing at the end of a shaft.

How to choose the right housing unit accessories?

• Housing or insert size - Choose an accessory that matches the housing series and size, or the insert bearing size. A cover or seal that does not match will not fit or seal properly.
• Open or closed - Choose a closed end cover where the shaft ends inside the housing, and an open cover where it passes through.
• Material - Choose cast iron or steel covers for heavy-duty and outdoor use, plastic for general use, and food-grade covers for food and hygienic environments.
• Conditions - In very dusty or wet conditions, add extra seals or flingers as well as an end cover. In washdown areas, choose corrosion-resistant accessories.
• Thread and size - For grease nipples and grub screws, check the thread size and length match the original.

Essential references and specialised ranges

How the numbering works:

Accessories are usually referenced by type and the housing or insert size they fit. Each manufacturer uses its own codes. For example:

25P, 30P, 35P and similar = end caps, where the number relates to the bearing size they fit

ECY = end covers for bearing units

ECB and ECW = food-grade end caps, in blue (ECB) and white (ECW)

RIS = rubber seating rings for insert bearings

ASNH and ETS = end covers for split plummer block housings

The digits after the letters usually match the bearing or housing size, for example ECY206 fits a 206 size unit.

Always check the housing or insert reference before ordering an accessory.

Suffixes:

Accessories rarely carry standard suffixes. Where they do, they usually show a material, colour, or design version.

Suffix codes vary between manufacturers, so check the supplier’s catalogue for the exact meaning.

FAQ - All you need to know about housing unit accessories

Do I need an end cover on my bearing unit?

An end cover is recommended in dusty, wet, or washdown conditions, or where a rotating shaft end needs guarding for safety. In clean, dry conditions, a standard sealed unit may not need one.

Will an end cover from one brand fit another brand’s housing?

Not always. End covers are made to fit a particular manufacturer’s housing design. Check the cover is listed as suitable for your housing brand and size.

What is a rubber seating ring for?

It fits around the outside of an insert bearing in its housing. It helps absorb vibration and noise, and can help the insert seat securely in the housing.

Can I replace a grease nipple myself?

Yes. Unscrew the old nipple, check the thread size, and screw in a new one of the same size. If a nipple is damaged or blocked, replacing it is quicker and cheaper than replacing the housing.

How do I fit an end cover?

Clean the housing face and check the shaft end is clear of the cover. Push or bolt the cover onto the housing as the design requires, making sure it sits fully and evenly. On open covers, check the seal fits snugly around the shaft without binding.

How do I identify the accessory I need?

Check the reference on the housing and the insert bearing, as accessories are matched to these. If the references cannot be read, measure the housing opening or the insert size, and note the brand of the housing.

What are the signs that an accessory needs replacing?

Look out for:

• Cracked, loose, or missing end covers
• Worn or damaged seals that let dirt or water in
• Hardened or split rubber seating rings or cartridges
• Blocked, broken, or leaking grease nipples
• Loose or damaged grub screws and locking collars
• Rust or corrosion on covers and fixings