NU303-ECP bearing: complete specifications & equivalents

The NU303-ECP is a ISO 15 radial bearing sized 17 x 47 x 14 mm (bore x OD x width). Verify dimensions against the official catalog before ordering.

Bearing dimension schematic Front view shows outer diameter D and bore d; side section shows width B. D = 47 mm d = 17 B = 14 mm side section front view
Principal dimensions: bore d 17 mm, outer diameter D 47 mm, width B 14 mm. Schematic, not to scale.

Specification table

ParameterValue
Brand SKF
Bore diameter d 17 mm
Outer diameter D 47 mm
Width B 14 mm
Material GCr15
Seal / shield open
Internal clearance CN
Tolerance class P0
Cage polymer (PA66 glass-fibre reinforced)
Basic dynamic load rating C 28.5 kN
Basic static load rating C0 20.4 kN
Fatigue load limit Pu 2.55 kN
Reference speed (thermal) 17000 rpm
Limiting speed (mechanical) 20000 rpm
Operating temperature -40 to +120 °C
Mass 120 g
Manufacturer designation SKF NU 303 ECP
Standard ISO 15
Catalog version SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 6.1 single-row cylindrical roller bearings
Last verified 2026-09-26

Source: catalog reference (SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 6.1 single-row cylindrical roller bearings) · extracted 2026-09-26

Parameters extracted from the official SKF Rolling Bearings catalogue (SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 6.1 single-row cylindrical roller bearings); 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 & NU300-series range

Bore d 0.669 in
Outer diameter D 1.85 in
Width B 0.551 in
ISO bore code 03
Radial section height (D−d)/2 15 mm
Smallest bore in NU300-series 17 mm
Largest outer diameter in NU300-series 620 mm
Width range across NU300-series 14–109 mm
Bore position in NU300-series (smallest first) 1 of 33
Bore above smallest NU300-series size 0 mm

Cross references & equivalents

Equivalent modelBrandMatch levelNote
N303-ECP SKF full
Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange.
Same ISO 15 envelope 17×47×14 mm and equivalent catalogue ratings; the N execution differs in flange/retaining-ring configuration — boundary-dimension interchangeable, but axial-locating behaviour is not identical.
NJ303-ECP SKF full
Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange.
Same ISO 15 envelope 17×47×14 mm and equivalent catalogue ratings; the NJ execution differs in flange/retaining-ring configuration — boundary-dimension interchangeable, but axial-locating behaviour is not identical.

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 NU303-ECP model number is decoded

NU303-ECP is the 17 mm bore entry in the NU300 range: a 17×47×14 mm single-row caged cylindrical roller bearing with a glass-fibre reinforced polyamide (PA66) window-type cage, rated C 28.5 kN / C0 20.4 kN. Reading the NU prefix: two integral flanges on the outer ring and no flanges on the inner ring, so the inner ring together with the roller set is separable. This makes the execution non-locating: the inner ring assembly can float axially in both directions and the bearing cannot support axial load. Reading the order-string suffix ECP: the E-design execution with a glass-fibre reinforced polyamide (PA66) cage, limited to 120 °C continuous. With C 28.5 kN and C0 20.4 kN, size the bearing on the 17×47 mm ISO 15 envelope and check the 2.55 kN Pu against the equivalent-load floor; the catalogue lists 17,000 r/min thermal reference speed and 20,000 r/min mechanical limiting speed. Assembly note: fit the inner ring and roller assembly onto the shaft and the outer ring into the housing independently; thermal expansion is absorbed by axial float, so do not trap the inner ring between shaft shoulders. Heat steel rings inductively to max 120 °C — the PA66 cage sets the ceiling.

Typical equipment & failure modes

Common applications

  • motor-cycle and small-engine transmissions
  • appliance and fan armature shafts
  • small pump rotor shafts
  • small industrial electric-motor shafts

Known failure patterns

  • inner-ring raceway spalling from overload or contamination in the line-contact hertz zone
  • outer-ring raceway fatigue after extended service at loads above the catalogue L10 rating
  • polymer cage softening above 120 °C
  • polymer cage cracking or softening after sustained running above 120 °C or with incompatible lubricant
  • surface distress (micro-pitting) when the EHL film falls below the composite roughness at high specific load
  • edge-loading fatigue after shaft deflection beyond the 3–4 minute alignment limit
  • edge loading from shaft deflection beyond the bearing alignment limit (≈ 3-4 minutes of arc for single-row CRB)

Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute

  • Do not use a NU bearing where axial load must be carried — the design carries radial load only
  • The dimension series 3 (medium-section ISO 15 envelope) envelope is shared with the N/NU/NJ/NUP executions of 303, but flange configuration and axial-locating behaviour differ — quote the full SKF NU 303 ECP and do not substitute rib styles without checking the shaft locating scheme.
  • Shaft and housing fillets must clear the bearing chamfers; an oversized radius tilts the 14 mm-wide ring and concentrates load.
  • Shaft and housing fillets must clear the bearing chamfers; an oversized radius tilts the 14 mm-wide ring and concentrates load.
  • The 28.5/20.4 kN ratings are SKF catalogue 17000 (2018) values for the ECP execution; re-verify against the current catalogue for critical drives and keep the catalogue version with the specification.

Frequently asked questions

What are the dimensions and catalogue data of NU303-ECP?

SKF NU 303 ECP is a single-row caged cylindrical roller bearing with 17 mm bore, 47 mm OD and 14 mm width per ISO 15. SKF lists C 28.5 kN, C0 20.4 kN, Pu 2.55 kN, reference speed 17,000 r/min and limiting speed 20,000 r/min, mass about 120 g.

What does the NU designation and ECP suffix mean?

The ECP suffix marks the E-design execution with a glass-fibre reinforced polyamide (PA66) cage, limited to 120 °C continuous. Structurally this execution has two integral flanges on the outer ring and no flanges on the inner ring, so the inner ring together with the roller set is separable.

Can NU303-ECP take axial load and locate the shaft?

No — the inner ring has no flanges, so the NU bearing is non-locating and carries radial load only; use NJ (one direction), NUP (both directions) or a paired thrust bearing for axial duty.

How does NU303-ECP compare with the other executions in the same envelope?

The N/NU/NJ/NUP executions share the ISO 15 envelope and load ratings but differ in flange arrangement and axial-locating behaviour; quote the exact order number.

What limits the service life of this bearing most often?

Line-contact fatigue above the L10 rating, cage wear at light loads and high temperatures, and edge loading from misalignment beyond about 3–4 minutes of arc are the typical failure drivers.

Reviewed & verified by the MPN Base engineering desk against source catalog SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 6.1 single-row cylindrical roller bearings on 2026-09-26. Read our editorial & correction policy.