A motor brush is not a brush at all in the traditional sense. It is actually a carbon or graphite cube, commonly held in place by a spring, that acts as a conductor between the electrified stationary and rotating parts of a motor. The whole brush assembly is made up of a carbon block, one or more shunts, a spring and a holder. The carbon blocks are easily replaceable and are therefore intended as a wear part to prevent damage to more costly motor components.

Greg Mecomber of IDCON INC sits down with several industry experts from Regal Rexnord to discuss brinelling failures, true/false brinelling, maintenance, and prevention.

A standard centrifugal pump impeller is constructed of a group of elongated, solid-walled chambers attached together in the shape of a circular ring. The ring is spun quickly and the liquid that enters the inside end of the chambers is flung out at high speed from the other end. Figure No. 1 shows a section through centrifugal pump wet-end showing regions of low and high pressures.

I often hear the words “relays” and “contactors” used seemingly interchangeably, but there must be a technical difference, right? So, I took a quick trip to Rexel Automation Solutions in Salisbury, MD to meet with Nate Titus, Account Manager, and get the skinny on these beloved but sometimes pesky industrial workhorses.

Electric motor problems. This article presents a basic explanation of electric motor construction and operation along with twelve problems that can be encountered with their use. Most electric motors in industrial equipment are three phase alternating current induction motors. Induction is the creation of an electric current across a gap. Two types of induction motors are commonly used: squirrel-cage and wound- rotor. The names come from the way they are built.

This article covers the two main plant numbering systems that together form the framework on which all maintenance programmes are based and describes the value that can be created by integrating these identification systems. These two systems are: Equipment Numbers, or more accurately, Equipment Location Numbers Stock-Keeping Unit (SKU) numbers or, preferably, Material Catalogue Numbers. A third, less critical but still important numbering system for Stores location (or “bin”) numbers, is also included.

The previous article in this series, “Understanding Shaft Alignment: Thermal Growth,” explained thermal growth and its affect on proper equipment alignment. A practical example involves a recent project at a wastewater treatment plant in Cleveland that needed realistic cold alignment targets for a 3600 rpm compressor to reach their accurate alignment targets.