What are the Functions of Carbon Brush?
by Imani Angulo
Carbon brushes are electromechanical conducting devices that connect to moving parts to provide an electric current. They are typically used in motors, generators and alternators. Many carbon brush uses exist, but the three basic uses are in household applications that run on alternating current (AC), automotive applications that run on direct current (DC) and industrial applications that run on both AC and DC.
Household
Carbon brushes are a common component in household appliances such as power tools, gardening equipment and office equipment. Vacuum cleaner turbines, hair and hand dryers, and washing and drying machines are also common applications of this type of carbon brush, which is generally much smaller than its industrial or automotive counterparts. Micro-carbon brushes, for example, are precision parts designed for toys, electric razors, and audio and video equipment. In such small dimensions, carbon brushes are often placed inside tiny battery-operated mini-motors designed to transmit power silently and with the least amount of friction to moving parts such as wheels and razors.
Automotive
Cars generally use small and auxiliary carbon brushes for DC motors, starters and alternators. Alternators are devices that convert mechanical energy to electrical energy. They consist of a wire-coiled rotor that produces a magnetic field when a current runs through it. Automotive carbon brushes are used to supply the current to the wire coil in the alternator. Automotive carbon brushes can be found in most passenger vehicles, motorcycles, trucks and oil- and diesel-fueled cars. Even smaller, specially designed carbon brushes are used in steering wheels and contacts for airbags.
Industrial
Industrial carbon brushes are used on large commutator machines, in which the current between the rotor and external circuit is periodically reversed. These include AC and DC motors, slipring rotors, traction motors, turbogenerators, windmills, hydro power stations and steel, cement and paper mills. Industrial carbon brushes also can be used to power battery-driven cars, cable cars and trolley buses, and they are often used in construction vehicles such as forklift trucks and cranes. Brushes connect the generator to the rotor through the commutator, which has copper segments, or lands. The brushes bear the brunt of wear and tear between the rotating rotor and the non-moving generator while conducting electricity between them. Industrial brushes are specially designed to withstand extreme temperatures.
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Writer Bio
Imani Angulo has been writing professionally since 2008. Her specialties include music, jazz and the performance arts. Angulo recently worked as a grant writer for the non-profit Corporate Angel Network, where she also solicited funds on behalf of cancer and leukemia patients for corporate-sponsored transport. Angulo holds a Bachelor of Music in jazz studies from New York University.
