Bearings are widely used in rotating machines. Understanding the factors affecting their reliability and service life is essential in ensuring good machine design and performance. This book reviews these factors and their implications for improved machine performance. The first two chapters reviews ways of assessing the performance and reliability of rolling-element bearings. The author then goes on to discuss key performance problems and the factors affecting bearing reliability. He reviews cage and roller slip, and particular types of failure in equipment such as alternators, condensers and pumps and the effects of such factors as localized electrical currents, seating, clearance, grades of lubricant, axial forces and vibration on performance and service life. The conclusion explores ways of improving bearing design.