Typical application includes motors with VFDs, HVACR, pumps, fans, and blowers. Plus, static, atmospheric, and induced current sources.
Upgrade Your Grounding Rings to Helwig Carbon’s BPK™ Technology
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:
- Longevity: Kits will typically last 10 years or more*
- Superior Protection: Proven to minimize damaging induced motor shaft currents better than any other shaft grounding brush technology
- Optimal Grounding: Provides lowest resistance path to ground for bearing protection
- Versatile Performance: Low to high current carrying capacity and effective at various frequencies
- Compatibility: Stock kits fit most motors and multiple shaft sizes
- Easy Installation and Maintenance: Easy to assemble and maintain in diverse conditions including harsh and contaminated environments
Explore Our Bearing Protection Systems
Bearing Protection Kit BPK-IM2
- Our smallest BPK has a small, durable brass holder containing a compression spring with a proprietary silver graphite grounding brush
- Ideal shaft grounding system 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
Bearing Protection Kit BPK-IM5
- Like the IM2, the IM5 has a slightly larger brass holder containing a compression spring with a proprietary silver graphite grounding brush
- Ideal shaft grounding system 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 2.54 x 2.54mm)
- For special applications please contact us (800)-962-4851
Bearing Protection Kit BPK-S
- Our Patented BPK-S uses a sealed Teflon holder containing a constant force spring with a proprietary silver graphite grounding brush
- Ideal shaft grounding system 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
Bearing Protection Kit BPK-SB
- Our Patented BPK-SB uses a sealed brass holder containing a constant force spring with a proprietary silver graphite grounding brush
- Ideal shaft grounding system 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
Bearing Protection Kit BPK-4
- The Original BPK – protecting bearings for over 25 years – uses a durable brass holder to house a constant force spring and a proprietary silver graphite grounding brush
- Ideal shaft grounding system 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
Bearing Protection Kit BPK-AM
- Our largest BPK has a heavy-duty brass holder containing a durable constant force spring and a proprietary silver graphite grounding brush with a red top to reduce vibration
- Ideal shaft grounding system 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
Axially Mounted Kit
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*
*subject to motor specifications, product selection, and operating conditions
Shaft grounding rings require a different model for each shaft size. Helwig BPK’s are one size fits most
OEMs using our Bearing Protection Kits™
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! 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
MORE EFFECTIVE THAN A SHAFT GROUNDING RING
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
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.
Redefining Shaft Grounding with the BPK™ Product Line
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.
Preventing Bearing Damage
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.
Bearing Protection for Contaminated or Harsh Environment
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.
Additional Information
Motor Shaft Grounding Brush Blog Posts
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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Diagnosing Brush Face Conditions
April 12, 2023
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Factors that Influence Shaft Grounding Performance
January 20, 2023
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Shaft Grounding Contamination Test
June 24, 2022
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Quality Upgrades for Hydro Generators
April 14, 2022
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Teflon Coated Brush Holders for Pickling Line
March 11, 2022
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From Probe to Patent
July 27, 2021
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K007: Exclusive Silver Graphite Brush Grade
March 15, 2021
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What Our Research Says About Constant Force Spring Differences
February 9, 2021
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Nitin Kulkarni Promoted to VP of Business Development
October 13, 2020
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Helwig Is Awarded Best Value Add & Engineering from Wolong – GE
August 21, 2020
