Streaking Grooving

Causes
• Low or unequal spring
pressure Causes
• Low or unequal spring
• Low current loads pressure
• Contaminated • Contaminated
atmosphere atmosphere
• High humidity • Low humidity and
• Copper particle temperature
pickup from
Commutator commutator
• Abrasive brush grade

Conditions
Problems • Causes Bar Edge Burning Photographing
Causes Causes
• Low or unequal spring • High humidity
pressure
Acceptable Commutator Film • Incorrect brush
• High resistance area
at the same point of
alignment / off rotation
neutral
• Mechanical problem
• Wrong brush grade
Light Film that causes a jolt on
Light Film is considered • Sparking caused by the brushes and
acceptable. Possible commutation interruption of contact
causes are low humidity, problems or electrical spike at
low temperatures, light the same point in
current loads and low • Incorrect interpole
rotation
filming rate grade. strength

Slot Bar Marking Copper Drag

Causes
Causes
• Uneven current
• Low or unequal spring
distribution in
pressure
armature windings
Medium Film • Excess vibration
• Unequal number of
Ideal Commutator
windings in adjacent • Wrong brush grade
Condition slots
When a machine runs • Commutator becomes
well, the patina/film on • Inconsistency in overheated and
a commutator will be armature windings softened
even, slightly shiny, and related to number of
the color is coppery • High Friction
coils, slots, and
brown to dark brown.
commutator bars

Threading
Causes
Heavy Film • Low or unequal spring
Results from high load,
pressure Call Helwig’s Expert
high humidity or heavy
filming rate grades. Colors
• Low current loads
Technical Services Staff
not in the brown tones • Contaminated
indicate contamination, atmosphere
resulting in high friction
• High humidity East 866-287-5991
and high resistance.
• Uneven current
Central 866-287-5989
distribution West 866-287-5990
• Conditions have been
maintained for a long Helwig Carbon Products, Inc.
period of time and 8900 West Tower Avenue • Milwaukee, WI 53224
caused commutator
Fax 800.365.3113 www.helwigcarbon.com
damage