3208-A bearing: complete specifications & equivalents
The 3208-A is a ISO 15 radial bearing sized 40 x 80 x 30.2 mm (bore x OD x width). Verify dimensions against the official catalog before ordering.
Specification table
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | SKF |
| Bore diameter d | 40 mm |
| Outer diameter D | 80 mm |
| Width B | 30.2 mm |
| Material | GCr15 |
| Seal / shield | open |
| Internal clearance | CN |
| Tolerance class | P0 |
| Cage | steel, stamped ribbon (J-type) |
| Basic dynamic load rating C | 48 kN |
| Basic static load rating C0 | 36.5 kN |
| Fatigue load limit Pu | 1.56 kN |
| Reference speed (thermal) | 9000 rpm |
| Limiting speed (mechanical) | 8000 rpm |
| Operating temperature | -40 to +120 °C |
| Mass | 570 g |
| Manufacturer designation | 3208 A |
| Standard | ISO 15 |
| Catalog version | SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018) |
| Last verified | 2026-09-27 |
Source: catalog reference (SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018)) · extracted 2026-09-27
Parameters extracted from the official SKF Rolling Bearings catalogue (SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018)); SKF® and SKF Explorer® are trademarks of AB SKF, used here for identification only — mpnbase is not an authorized SKF distributor. Boundary dimensions are ISO 15 interchangeable; current production values may differ, verify at skf.com.
Dimensions in inches & 3200-series range
| Bore d | 1.575 in |
|---|---|
| Outer diameter D | 3.15 in |
| Width B | 1.189 in |
| ISO bore code | 08 |
| Radial section height (D−d)/2 | 20 mm |
| Smallest bore in 3200-series | 10 mm |
| Largest outer diameter in 3200-series | 200 mm |
| Width range across 3200-series | 14–69.8 mm |
| Bore position in 3200-series (smallest first) | 9 of 22 |
| Bore above smallest 3200-series size | 30 mm |
Cross references & equivalents
| Equivalent model | Brand | Match level | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3208-ATN9 | SKF | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | Same 40×80×30.2 mm envelope with catalogue ratings within 10 %; 3208 ATN9 is the glass-fibre PA66 cage, open arrangement execution of this size — boundary dimensions interchangeable, execution differs. |
| 3208-A-2Z | SKF | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | Same 40×80×30.2 mm envelope with catalogue ratings within 10 %; 3208 A-2Z is the stamped steel cage, shields (-2Z) execution of this size — boundary dimensions interchangeable, execution differs. |
| 3208-A-2RS1 | SKF | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | Same 40×80×30.2 mm envelope with catalogue ratings within 10 %; 3208 A-2RS1 is the stamped steel cage, contact NBR seals (-2RS1) execution of this size — boundary dimensions interchangeable, execution differs. |
Interchange levels: full standard interchange · partial verify parameters · verify manual confirmation required. Links resolve to the equivalent model's specification page where available.
How the 3208-A model number is decoded
3208 A is SKF's 40 mm-bore double-row angular-contact ball bearing of the 3200 series — two ball rows back-to-back for two-direction axial location in one unit, 40×80×30.2 mm. A on a double-row bearing means no filling slots, so both rows carry their full ball complement in both directions. with no cage suffix the double-row A execution uses the standard stamped steel ball-centred cage. Envelope 40×80×30.2 mm (1.575×3.15×1.189 in), 20.0 mm radial section height, C 48 kN, C0 36.5 kN, Pu 1.56 kN.reference speed 9,000 r/min (thermal) and limiting speed 8,000 r/min (mechanical), catalogue mass 570 g. The 1.56 kN fatigue load limit is the equivalent-load floor for long-life adjustment; with 48/36.5 kN ratings and 570 g mass this execution carries about 1.20 kN of C per millimetre of bore. Mass and section check: 570 g inside the 40×80×30.2 mm outline leaves a 20.0 mm radial section, and the 36.5 kN static rating is 0.76× the dynamic rating — plan static safety and minimum load against those numbers rather than against sister executions. Speed-ratio note for this exact unit: the reference speed is 9,000 r/min against a 8,000 r/min limiting speed, i.e. a reference-to-limit ratio of 1.13.
Typical equipment & failure modes
Common applications
- centrifugal pump shafts
- elevator and hoist machinery
- printing and converting machinery
Known failure patterns
- two-direction thrust overload concentrating load on one row and spalling its raceway
- loss of controlled axial clearance (CB) after thermal growth removes residual play
- stamped steel cage noise and pocket wear in marginal-lubrication starts, where a brass-cage execution would survive
- raceway staining from water in the lubricant during idle periods
- raceway staining from water in the lubricant during idle periods
Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute
- Controlled axial clearance is the heart of the design: the A execution is produced to the standard double-row axial clearance; check residual clearance after mounting and at operating temperature.
- Interference goes on the rotating ring (about k5 at 40 mm bore); the wide 30.2 mm ring is sensitive to tilted seats, so check squareness before clamping.
- Catalogue ratings of 48/36.5 kN apply to the A execution; the D and DNRCBM two-piece-ring executions carry their own figures on their own pages.
- Interference goes on the rotating ring (about k5 at 40 mm bore); the wide 30.2 mm ring is sensitive to tilted seats, so check squareness before clamping.
- Catalogue ratings are SKF PUB BU/P1 17000 figures for 3208 A as the double a steel execution; the other order numbers of the 3208 size are different products and may carry different ratings — always quote the full designation when purchasing.
Frequently asked questions
What are the dimensions and catalogue data of 3208-A?
3208 A measures 40 mm bore × 80 mm OD × 30.2 mm width (1.575 × 3.15 × 1.189 in), mass about 570 g. SKF 17000 ratings: C 48 kN, C0 36.5 kN, Pu 1.56 kN, reference speed 9,000 r/min (thermal) and limiting speed 8,000 r/min (mechanical).
What does the A suffix mean?
A on a double-row bearing means no filling slots, so both rows carry their full ball complement in both directions. with no cage suffix the double-row A execution uses the standard stamped steel ball-centred cage.
Does the 3208 double-row bearing need pairing?
No — both ball rows are built into one bearing, so bidirectional location does not require a second unit. Controlled axial clearance is part of the design rather than a field adjustment.
Which fits should I use?
With a rotating inner ring use roughly k5 on the 40 mm shaft and H7 in the 80 mm housing; check the wide ring seats square because the 30.2 mm width is sensitive to tilt.
Reviewed & verified by the MPN Base engineering desk against source catalog SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018) on 2026-09-27. Read our editorial & correction policy.