The Load Zone and Contact Points

Load Zone

When a bearing is supporting a radial load, the load is distributed through only a portion of the bearing—approximately one-third (1/3)—at any given time. This area supporting the load is called the bearing load zone.

Every point or surface where loads are supported by the bearing are load carrying contact points or surfaces. These include the outer Ring O.D., inner Ring I.D., the adjacent surfaces that form right angles to each other, raceways and rolling elements.