Prevent 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 for motor shaft grounding. Our kits effectively divert induced electrical currents away from the bearings, protecting them from damage and failure. What’s more, our bearing protection kits are economical, easy to install, and offer the industry’s best shaft grounding performance.
WHAT CAUSES BEARING DAMAGE?
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.
TYPICAL BPK APPLICATIONS: Motors with VFDs, HVACR, Pumps, Fans, and Blowers.
Explore Our Bearing Protection Systems
Prevent VFD Bearing Failure with the BPK Product Line
*Enlarged to show detail
IM2
- Our smallest BPK has a small, durable brass holder containing a compression spring with a proprietary silver graphite brush
- Ideal for small size motors
- Typical Applications: HVAC, Small Pumps, Fans, Internal Mounts
- Dimensions: .241” x .75” x .75” inch (6.1 x 19 x 19mm)
- For special applications please contact us (800)-962-4851
*Enlarged to show detail
IM5
- Like the IM2, the IM5 has a slightly larger brass holder containing a compression spring with a proprietary silver graphite brush
- Ideal for small/medium size motors
- Typical Applications: HVAC, Small-Medium size Pumps, Fans, Internal Mounts
- Dimensions: .325″ x 1.0″ x 1.0″ inch (8.26 x 25.4 x 2.54mm)
- For special applications please contact us (800)-962-4851
*Enlarged to show detail
S
- Our Patented BPK-S uses a sealed Teflon holder containing a constant force spring with a proprietary silver graphite brush
- Ideal for contaminated environments and any size motor
- Typical Applications: Paper Industry, Foodservice, any contaminated environments
- Dimensions: .45” x 1.63” x 1.50” inch (11.4 x 41.4 x 38mm)
- For special applications please contact us (800)-962-4851
*Enlarged to show detail
SB
- Our Patented BPK-SB uses a sealed brass holder containing a constant force spring with a proprietary silver graphite brush
- Ideal for contaminated environments and any size motors
- Typical Applications: Motor OEMS, Paper Industry, any contaminated environments
- Dimensions: .45” x 1.59” x 1.52” inch (11.4 x 41.3 x 38.1mm)
- For special applications please contact us (800)-962-4851
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4
- The Original Bearing Protection Kit – protecting bearings for over 25 years – uses a durable brass holder to house a constant force spring and a proprietary silver graphite brush
- Ideal for medium-sized motors and harsh environments
- Typical Applications: Manufacturing, Medical, Steel, Elevator Industries
- Dimensions: .5” x 1.5” x 1.38” inch (12.7 x 38 x 35mm)
- For special applications please contact us (800)-962-4851
*Enlarged to show detail
AM
- Our largest BPK has a heavy-duty brass holder containing a durable constant force spring and a proprietary silver graphite brush with a red top to reduce vibration
- Ideal for large motors and shafts greater than 4”
- Typical Applications: Large Industrial, Marine and Military Applications
- Dimensions: .63” x 2.09” x 1.26” inch (16 x 53 x 32mm)
- For special applications please contact us (800)-962-4851
YOUR BEST CHOICE FOR DEPENDABLE BEARING PROTECTION
Effective shaft earthing and bearing protection from Helwig Carbon BPKs will divert the current from the motor shaft and provide the lowest resistance path to ground in an economical product. The result is the lowest shaft voltage and maximum discharge to ground through the kit rather than through the bearings or other components.
Major OEMs choose our solution as their preferred method to protect motor bearings. Unlike other options, this sliding electrical contact technology uses a proprietary silver graphite material that provides superior voltage mitigation. Advantages of Helwig Carbon’s shaft grounding systems include:
- Longevity: Kits will typically last 10 years or more*
- Most effective shaft grounding technology, proven to minimize damaging induced shaft currents
- Provides lowest resistance path to ground
- Low to high current carrying capacity
- Stock kits fit most motors and multiple shaft sizes
- Easy to install and maintain
- Numerous options for a wide variety of conditions
- Internal mount options avoid exposure to outside and contaminated environments
- Custom mounting brackets are available by contacting us at carboncrew@helwigcarbon.com or (414)-354-2411
MORE EFFECTIVE THAN THE CARBON-FIBER RING
Bearing Protection Kits™ mitigates shaft voltage and other electrical noise. The following oscilloscope screenshots compare induced shaft voltage with our BPK-4 vs. a carbon-fiber ring. Lower voltage values is more effective for bearing protection. 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.
Unprotected Motor Shaft
Motor Shaft with Carbon-Fiber Ring
Motor Shaft with BPK-4
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.
Oscilloscope screenshots were taken in a controlled testing environment, using our Patented BPK-Probe™. The test was conducted on a 10HP Nidec motor with the following specifications: 460VAC, 1765 RPM, and driven by an Emerson VFD at 52Hz
Typically reduces shaft voltage to less than 1 volt up to greater than 1MHz
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*
*subject to motor specifications, product selection, and operating conditions
Motor Bearing Protection: BPK Selection Guide
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! Prevent bearing failure with Helwig Carbon’s motor shaft grounding ring BPKs today!
For motor shafts over 6 inches, please call Helwig Carbon (800)-962-4851
Motor Shaft Grounding Brush Blog Posts
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!
Helwig Carbon has been supplying OEM motor manufacturers with shaft grounding solutions since the mid-1990s. Since that time, the use of VFDs to control electric motors has vastly increased, thus increasing the need for shaft grounding and the demand for our after-market Bearing Protection Kits™ (BPKs).
Electric motor bearings fail for a variety of reasons but the two most common reasons for electrical failure are circulating and common mode currents. Circulating currents are found in all motors. The severity of the problem and therefore the risk to the motor bearings is
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