Talk:ABEC scale

ABEC 9
Hi, is 9 indeed the highest class on the ABEC scale? I can't find such an information on the Websites listed as References and I know that there are shops which sells so called ABEC11 bearings. Also the german wikipedia mentions the ABEC class 11 http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABEC -- Wall unit 09:57, 24 August 2006 (UTC)


 * Abec 11 is a brand of longboard wheels that sell the well known abec 11 Big Zigs and Zig Zags wheels. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Edward GJ Hone (talk • contribs) 10:04, 17 April 2011 (UTC)


 * I think ABEC 11 is a Brand name they use to trick ppl into buying --Critical - USA!!!! CA


 * I bought a set of "ABEC 11" bearings, lately. And had to note, that they were just ABEC 9 bearings. I heard from similar issues on the usenet. But in any case "ABEC 11" isn't a brand name. (actually, it is ABSOLUTELY a brand name... no confusion here, nor is confusion necessary... use google http://www.abec11.com/) It pretends to be a standard, (it doesn't pretend to be a standard amongst the ppl who created it as a brand name... it does, however, get mistaken as a standard by ppl who don't know what the abec scale is and who just believe higher numbers = better. As a product AND team name for "abec 11" they simply have taken it as a slightly witty roundabout way of stating that their team and/or products "exceed what is standard"... That's all-) but it seems to be a standard which doesn't exists or which exists only in theory. -- Wall unit 06:13, 4 September 2006 (UTC)

Hi I've been selling ball and roller bearings for almost 10 years now and I can tell you that there is indeed no such thing as a ball bearing with ABEC 11 tolerances. ABEC 9 is the highest the scale goes. In order to conform to certain ABEC tolerances a bearing mus meet certain requirements for inner and outer ring tolerances compared to the standard (measured in hundred thousandths or millionths of an inch) and radial runout. If someone tries to sell you an ABEC 11 bearing ask them what it means. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 209.187.5.118 (talk) 19:09, 17 January 2008 (UTC) I believe the confusion lies in the fact that there is a skateboard wheel co. called ABEC 11. This is a high end wheel company that many professionals refer to as the best. They may have exceeded the rating as a way for a clever name but that is speculation.74.244.39.174 (talk) 02:17, 28 April 2008 (UTC)

SourceBottle (talk) 12:22, 10 August 2008 (UTC) Before the next person goes and changes the table to include the fictitious Abec 11, please read the articles from the cited sources.

ABEC from a precision standpoint refers to the Annular Bearing Engineering Committee (ABEC) of the American Bearing Manufacturers Association (ABMA). ABEC precision levels do indeed stop at level 9 (there is no ABEC 11 precision level). Any reference to ABEC 11 does not refer to an official precision or performance standard.

For more information about the Annular Bearing Engineering Committee (ABEC) of the American Bearing Manufacturers Association (ABMA), check out the Wikipedia entries at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABEC_scale Also for a more in-depth white paper on ABEC tolerances, check out: http://www.astbearings.com/bearing-tolerances-precision-levels.html

75.99.125.154 (talk) 13:29, 13 October 2011 (UTC)

There's a confusion from an engineering and marketing perspective. ABEC 11 has indeed the precison standard of ABEC 9, but was developed to properly handle intense side loads. In theory, this means it handles better. Check this link: http://www.abec11.com/products/biltin — Preceding unsigned comment added by JBRS (talk • contribs) 12:08, 19 May 2017 (UTC)


 * Hi, I posted below (see ABEC 11 section), but basically I recommend sticking with the norm. It seems ABEC 9 is the name of the game, nothing about 10, 11, 12 or even 13. This (in German) very useful guide on ball bearings also mentions the ISO-levels, which are related to ABEC scale: https://www.schleer.de/downloads/01allgemeines.pdf on p.22. Additionally, ISO 492 is currently in (after five years) review, Stage 40.00, see https://www.iso.org/standard/80376.html so maybe it will mention new scales, but I doubt it from a gut feeling. It is also worth noting (see schleer PDF) that different tolerance-classes etc. exist for different bearings. Mech Engineers in the field would be able to tell precisely what is what and who is who, but for skateboards, scooters, etc. ABEC would be also just an entrace-point to buying some new bearings which fit the specific dimensions (format, size).--17387349L8764 (talk) 09:36, 4 April 2021 (UTC)

Contradictions in paragraphs
I have noticed two contradictions in the paragraphs of this article. In the first paragraph, it says that higher ABEC rating "contribute to higher speed capability. However, the ABEC rating does not specify many other critical factors, such as smoothness of the rolling" Then in the third paragraph, there is a statement: "High ABEC rated bearings allow optimal performance of critical applications requiring very high RPM and smooth operation. High ABEC rated bearings do not make equipment go faster however" The contradictions being that in paragraph 1 it is stated that higher ABEC rating results in higher speed capability, then in paragraph 3, it is stated that high ABEC ratings do not make equipment go faster. Also in paragraph 1, it is stated that ABEC rating does not specify smoothness, then in paragraph 3, it is stated that high ABEC bearings are used in applications requiring smooth rolling.

Hope this is helpful, Sorry if I have misunderstood the information. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 60.241.191.245 (talk) 11:27, 22 February 2010 (UTC)


 * Those statements aren't in contradiction, but I've copyedited the article to try and make it less confusion. Let me know if it didn't work. Wizard191 (talk) 22:15, 26 February 2010 (UTC)

You did do copy edit? It seems to read very much the same as what the above user has posted. Also, can someone explain to me how this does not contradict itself? If you are using quality bearings that are balanced and with limited tolerance you are able to create more energetic work and power because their is less force resisting whatever it is the bearing is attempting to bear? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 203.39.51.116 (talk) 23:15, 31 May 2010 (UTC)


 * Yup, I sure did: . The difference in rolling forces between an ABEC 1 and 9 are negligible, that's why there's isn't a noticeable different. Wizard191 (talk) 13:58, 1 June 2010 (UTC)

Ah I think I understand; top speed is not vastly different, however maintaining that top speed with less resistance, wear and margin for error in components is easier with higher rated bearings. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 203.39.51.116 (talk) 00:04, 2 June 2010 (UTC)

Also, as to any "contradictions"... something giving a higher speed "capacity" does not mean it is the method by which it is made to "go" faster. What makes something "go" is force. bearings don't "make" anything go. they sit and do nothing until force is applied to them.

Abec 11... Again?
In the first section of the article it states there's 5 ratings, up to 9. But the other two sections list abec 11 now. I checked the sources which say nothing about abec 11. Also the first link leads nowhere. Should I or someone else edit it out? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 174.22.208.147 (talk) 22:40, 27 October 2015 (UTC)

ABEC 13 even! There is so much that is false in this article that I don't even know where to begin. Where did they come up with those runout numbers? They're based on the size of the bearings so it couldn't possibly be a single number even if and ABEC 11 or 13 actually existed. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 108.171.130.188 (talk) 14:04, 11 April 2017 (UTC)

'''--There are companies selling Abec 11 and even Abec 13 bearings! They are all over social media, especially now with the fidget toy market. There are only five grades - Abec 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9. Pacamor Kubar Bearings is a well-known and very reputable American bearing company, and they show you Abec scores here: http://www.pacamor.com/technical/abectolerances.php ''' — Preceding unsigned comment added by Ny518 (talk • contribs) 21:15, 18 April 2017 (UTC)

The paragraphs are not contradictory. Higher rated speeds do not mean faster operation. It means the bearings are capable of faster speeds, while the machine can only go as fast as it can. Same concept as in tires. Putting a higher speed rated tire on your car will not make the car go faster. It just means the component can be used at higher speeds and will reduce the chances of failure at normal operating speeds. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2600:1005:B14F:4C0E:5913:FF8A:E2D2:BE22 (talk) 16:28, 21 December 2017 (UTC)


 * Hi, I recommend sticking with the norm. It seems ABEC 9 is the name of the game, nothing about 10, 11, 12 or even 13. This (in German) very useful guide on ball bearings also mentions the ISO-levels, which are related to ABEC scale: https://www.schleer.de/downloads/01allgemeines.pdf on p.22. Additionally, ISO 492 is currently in (after five years) review, Stage 40.00, see https://www.iso.org/standard/80376.html so maybe it will mention new scales, but I doubt it from a gut feeling. It is also worth noting (see schleer PDF) that different tolerance-classes etc. exist for different bearings. Mech Engineers in the field would be able to tell precisely what is what and who is who, but for skateboards, scooters, etc. ABEC would be also just an entrace-point to buying some new bearings which fit the specific dimensions (format, size).--17387349L8764 (talk) 09:33, 4 April 2021 (UTC)