Method and device for monitoring the operation of a plain bearing

A plain bearing or a plain bearing segment, comprising:

• a bearing body having a side;
• a sliding surface at said bearing body side;
• a lubricant outlet orifice in the sliding surface;
• a lubricant passage within said bearing body, said lubricant passage having a first end and a second end, said lubricant passage opening out in the sliding surface at the lubricant outlet orifice at said first end;
• switch-over means at said second end of said lubricant passage for selectively connecting the lubricant passage at said second end to a feed line for lubricant and to an outflow line for lubricant;
• and
• a temperature sensor within said bearing body extending into the lubricant passage adjacent to the lubricant outlet orifice.