AHE-5509A sensor bearing unit: specifications & signal data
The AHE-5509A is a sensor bearing unit, rated 32 pulses per revolution with a 5000 rpm limiting speed per ISO 15. Verify dimensions against the official catalog before ordering.
Specification table
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | SKF |
| Material | GCr15 |
| Limiting speed (mechanical) | 5000 rpm |
| Mass | 66 g |
| Manufacturer designation | AHE-5509A |
| Standard | ISO 15 |
| Catalog version | SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 17 sensor bearing units |
| Last verified | 2026-10-19 |
| Number of pulses per revolution N | 32 |
| Period accuracy | 4 % |
| Phase shift between signals | 90 ° |
| Phase shift tolerance | 30 ° |
| Duty cycle | 50 % |
| Duty cycle tolerance | 10 % |
| Cable connector | Free cable end |
| Electrical angle per pulse (360°/N) | 11.25 ° |
| Two-channel edges per revolution (4×N) | 128 |
| Pulses per shaft degree (N/360) | 0.089 |
| Output frequency at limiting speed (N×rpm/60) | 2666.667 Hz |
| Signal period at limiting speed | 0.375 ms |
| Output frequency at 1 000 r/min (N×1000/60) | 533.333 Hz |
| Signal period at 1 000 r/min | 1.875 ms |
| Output channels (two-signal) | 2 |
| Phase shift tolerance window | 60 to 120 ° |
| Duty cycle tolerance window | 40 to 60 % |
Source: catalog reference (SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 17 sensor bearing units) · extracted 2026-10-19
Parameters extracted from the official SKF Rolling Bearings catalogue (SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 17 sensor bearing units); 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.
Cross references & equivalents
No verified interchange data yet. Send an inquiry and our team will confirm equivalents manually.
How the AHE-5509A model number is decoded
The unit incorporates a sealed 6201 SKF Explorer deep groove ball bearing (12 mm bore, 32 mm OD, 10 mm width) lubricated for the life of the bearing, so the encoder ring turns with the outer ring rather than the shaft. Rated 32 pulses per revolution at ±4% period accuracy, the two output signals sit 90° apart within ±30°, with a duty cycle of 50 ± 10%; limiting speed 5000 r/min. Outer-ring rotation is the defining feature: the sensor target rotates while the inner ring stays fixed on the shaft, which suits integration into pulleys, cams, rollers or wheels as a compact encoder assembly. Mass is 66 g with a free cable end; at the 5000 r/min limiting speed the 32-pulse track reaches 2666.667 Hz per channel, i.e. 11.25° of rotation per pulse. the 32-pulse track is a coarse signal aimed at direction and speed detection; fine positioning must come from a separate sensing layer reading AHE-5509A: AHE is the SKF encoder unit family, the 55 block marks a roller encoder with outer-ring rotation, and the final letter is the variant/length code rather than a dimension. typical applications include machine-tool spindle position monitoring, industrial automation axis control and conveyor pulley speed and direction sensing this unit is commonly specified for machine-tool spindle position monitoring and industrial automation axis control, where outer-ring-rotation sensing with a 32-pulse signal fits the controller's input in conveyor pulley speed and direction sensing the integrated bearing carries the shaft load while the sensor ring supplies the signal; the 66 g mass keeps the rotating inertia low the limiting speed of the embedded 6201 is quoted for the bearing alone; the surrounding pulley or wheel geometry can lower the usable speed the cable connector must be specified at order time, and a free cable end needs a properly screened termination to keep the two-channel signal clean the unit is meant to be integrated into pulleys, cams or wheels; an unsupported outer ring that is loaded through the sensor face damages the track
Typical equipment & failure modes
Common applications
- elevator drive traction monitoring
- machine-tool spindle position monitoring
- steer-by-wire hand-wheel input
- agricultural machinery rotor position sensing
Known failure patterns
- because the signal comes from the outer ring, any slip between the ring and the driven wheel shows up directly as position error
- the limiting speed of the embedded 6201 is quoted for the bearing alone; the surrounding pulley or wheel geometry can lower the usable speed
- the cable connector must be specified at order time, and a free cable end needs a properly screened termination to keep the two-channel signal clean
- the unit is meant to be integrated into pulleys, cams or wheels; an unsupported outer ring that is loaded through the sensor face damages the track
- the sealed 6201 is lubricated for life; adding a relubrication point is pointless and risks pushing the seal into the sensor track
Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute
- the limiting speed of the embedded 6201 is quoted for the bearing alone; the surrounding pulley or wheel geometry can lower the usable speed
- the cable connector must be specified at order time, and a free cable end needs a properly screened termination to keep the two-channel signal clean
- the unit is meant to be integrated into pulleys, cams or wheels; an unsupported outer ring that is loaded through the sensor face damages the track
Frequently asked questions
What does the AHE designation mean?
In the AHE scheme a roller encoder unit with outer-ring rotation is encoded as AHE-5509A: the suffix block carries the pulses-per-revolution count, the S2 two-signal flag, the region and cage letters, and the connector code, so the full spec is readable from the part number.
What is the resolution of the AHE-5509A?
Resolution is 32 pulses per revolution, delivered as two phase-shifted channels; the period accuracy is ±4%, with the phase nominally 90° and held within ±30°.
Does the AHE-5509A rotate with the inner or the outer ring?
This roller encoder unit is an outer-ring rotation design: the 32-pulse sensor ring turns with the outer ring while the inner ring stays fixed on the shaft, which suits direct integration into a pulley, cam or wheel.
What cable and connector are fitted to the AHE-5509A?
Connection is by a free cable end, carrying two 32-pulse channels. The cable and connector variant is an order-time choice and cannot be changed in the field.
Reviewed & verified by the MPN Base engineering desk against source catalog SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 17 sensor bearing units on 2026-10-19. Read our editorial & correction policy.