A magnetic radial bearing and a bearing system for supporting a rotating shaft are disclosed. The bearing has a number of electromagnets circumferentially arranged around a rotating shaft. Each of the electromagnets has a coil which is electrically connected so as to generate both a magnetic bias and a rotating three-phase field. First terminals of opposing coils are connected in common to a corresponding phase of a three-phase controller for generating the rotating field, whereas second terminals of the coils not connected to the same phase are connected at corresponding star points. The star points are connected to DC power for generating the magnetic bias.