Typical application includes motors with VFDs, HVACR, pumps, fans, and blowers. Plus, static, atmospheric, and induced current sources.
Helwig Carbon’s BPKs™ offer the most advanced solution for shaft grounding, surpassing other options available in the market. Our cutting-edge technology utilizes a proprietary silver graphite brush combined with a brass holder that has been proven to provide superior voltage mitigation. Advantages of Helwig Carbon’s shaft grounding systems include:
When it is not possible to install a BPK radially on the motor shaft, Helwig Carbon offers axially mounted kits, which are typically for the non-drive end of the motor for bearing protection. Common applications for these kits include pitch motors, compressors, refrigerant motors, fan walls, large HVAC units, and more! We provide standard and custom options to cater to your specific requirements. Contact our team for more information.
Reduces shaft voltage to well under 1 volt
Tough brush holder design for challenging environments
Only highly conductive silver graphite brushes in our BPKs
Increased motor performance, less maintenance
Kits will typically last 10 years or more*
Shaft grounding rings require a different model for each shaft size. Helwig BPK’s are one size fits most
The Helwig Carbon shaft grounding device – Bearing Protection Kits™ (BPK) – fit a variety of motor shafts, offer several mounting options, and are easy to install and maintain. Helwig Carbon bearing protectors will deliver many years of superior performance in motor shaft grounding and will typically last 10 years or more! Our BPK selection Guide will help you determine which kit offers the best shaft grounding solution for your application.
For motor shafts over 6 inches, please call Helwig Carbon (800)-962-4851
Bearing Protection Kits™ mitigate shaft voltage and other electrical noise. In a controlled testing environment using our Patented BPK-Probe™, the following oscilloscope screenshots reveal a significant reduction in induced shaft voltage with our BPK-4 compared to a carbon fiber grounding ring or an unprotected motor shaft. The lower voltage values achieved by the BPK-4 is a result of our advanced silver graphite grounding brush technology. Silver graphite is more than 5X lower in resistance than carbon-fiber, which significantly reduces the risk of induced shaft currents flowing through the bearings, making silver graphite more effective for protection. The test was conducted on a 10HP Nidec motor with the following specifications: 460VAC, 1765 RPM, and driven by an Emerson VFD at 52Hz
These results were measured through our Patented BPK-Probe™ and conclude that a Helwig BPK effectively ensures against the risk of bearing failure or damage, therefore improving the life of the motor.
Variable frequency drives (VFD) used on AC and DC motors produce induced electrical currents on the motor shaft. This current seeks the path of least resistance to ground, which is typically through the motor bearings. When the current passes through the bearings, electrical arcs take place, leading to fluting, pitting, and bearing damage. The fluted or damaged bearing surface causes noise, vibration, and premature bearing failure.
Premature bearing failure is a major cause of motor downtime and costly repairs. Helwig Carbon uses proven silver graphite brush technology in a variety of bearing protection kits (BPK) for motor shaft grounding. Our shaft grounding systems effectively divert induced electrical currents away from the bearings, protecting them from damage and failure. Our BPK™ ‘s are economical, easy to install, and offer the industry’s best shaft grounding performance.
Helwig’s shaft grounding systems, BPKs, are specifically designed for contaminated environments. Our silver graphite brushes have a cleaning property that when combined with a constant force spring, provide a contaminant-free brush track for optimal shaft grounding. This maintenance-free solution is ideal for environments with excess grease, pickling lines, or volatiles in the air.
Helwig Carbon provides the shaft grounding industry the lowest resistant path to ground via a proprietary silver graphite brush grade to protect from damaging VFD-induced shaft currents. This one-of-a-kind brush grade is 5X lower in resistance than
Helwig Carbon Bearing Protection Kits (BPKs) are now available on WEG motors. We’ve partnered with one of the world’s most respected motor brands to offer shaft grounding pre-installed on new motors!
With a growing number of shaft grounding brush assemblies on the market today, it can be difficult to determine which solution works best for your particular application. As a supplier to OEM motor manufacturers for over 30 years, Helwig Carbon’s shaft grounding solutions have continually evolved to accommodate a wide range of applications.
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