BRUSH RIGGING INSTRUCTION

MANUAL OF TURBINE GENERATOR

0EA.140.1184
 0EA.140.1184
BRUSH RIGGING INSTRUCTION MANUAL OF
TURBINE GENERATOR
1 1
 0EA.140.1184
BRUSH RIGGING INSTRUCTION MANUAL OF
TURBINE GENERATOR
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GENERAL
Brush rigging and collector rings is an important device to supply excitation current to turbine
generator rotor. Operating performance of brush rigging and collector rings will be affected by many
factors, such as pressure of constant-pressure spring, linear speed of collector ring, surface roughness
and roundness, current density, vibration, temperature, humidity, dust, chemistry pollution, above-
mentioned technique parameter must be comply to technical information.
This book presents the technical data, construction features and requirements in operating and
maintenance for the brush rigging with constant-pressure spring. Otherwise, which not included in
this book should be consistent with relevant trade standards.
All of the work for the brush rigging operation and maintenance should meet the requirements
in this book, correspondingly, it is necessary to constitute detailed procedure & safety rules.
Meanwhile, as one part of complete unit documents, all above should be recorded and archived.

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1000 550

455 mm
120
50
NORMAL OPERATION CONDITIONS
Normal operation conditions required for the brush rigging:
Site condition:
Altitude; below 1000m
Mounting field; indoor
Room temperature: 5-50
Generally prevent corrosion, explosion, and mechanical vibration & shock as well as other
damage activity etc.
Besides above, in order to guarantee coolant clean inside brush rigging, especially, conductivity
dust is strictly prohibited from entering brush rigging in the operating area because it probably results
in insulation problem.
Diameter of collector rings 455 mm
Maximum temperature of collector rings 120
Temperature of brush rigging inlet gas 50
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BRUSH RIGGING INSTRUCTION MANUAL OF TURBINE GENERATOR
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1
FIGURE 1
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BRUSH RIGGING INSTRUCTION MANUAL OF TURBINE GENERATOR
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2
FIGURE 2
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BRUSH RIGGING INSTRUCTION MANUAL OF TURBINE GENERATOR
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1 2

1
2

BRUSH RIGGING STRUCTURE FEATURES

NOTE: Use only the grade of brush furnished with the generator unless given other specific
instructions by the manufactory.
NOTE: Use only the brushholds, brushes, constant-pressure springs and brushholder receiver
furnished with or specified for the generator. Do not mix with any other type of generator.

The brush rigging of turbine generator are assembled from bottom support, insulated support,
conducting parts, brushholds and noise proof enclosure.
Bottom support is base seat to fixup insulated support, conducting parts and brushholds. It is
fabricated by high-class steel plate, fix to foundation plate.
Insulated support are assembled from many insulated platerefer to figure 1,or make up of
many insulated stick and bracket. Insulated support are used to fix brushholds and conducting parts,
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BRUSH RIGGING INSTRUCTION MANUAL OF TURBINE GENERATOR
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and to insulated to bottom support.

Conducting parts are assembled from brushholder support, bus rings, conducting plate and
conducting lead. Those parts joint each other form circuit for excitation current.
One type brushholder are called combined brushholder that can contains several brush each
holderrefer to figure 1, to take it away from operation, the brush can get to replace, it is safe and
convenient for maintenance. This type brushholder are assembled from brushholder box, brushes,
constant-pressure springs, wedge and handle. Brushholder is position indirectly because that wedge
is inserted in the brushholder support. Another type brushholder called unit brushholder that can hold
one brush with one holderrefer to figure 2,This type brushholder are assembled from
brushholder box, brushes, constant-pressure springs and fixed parts.
The noise-proof enclosure is made of pressed glass-steel materials or is fabricated by fine steel
plate, it is closed-box type construction with the inner wall sprayed sound-absorbed and burning-
proof materials thoroughly, to obstruct noise and dust.

40~250m
12N16N
AT SHUTDOWN
NOTE: Brushes should be removed at shut down to avoid electrolytic pitting of collector rings.
NOTE: New brushes should be grinded to fit the contour of the collector ring. This is best
accomplished on a drum having the same diameter as the ring, sanded in the direction of rotation
only. To be sure that there is no imbedded sand in the brush face, finish by scraping with a knife.
NOTE: Any oxidation which may have accumulate on the contact surface may be remove by a
very light application of sandpaper.
NOTE: Design clearance between a new brush and holder is 40~250m, which can be easily
checked with a feeler gauge.
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NOTE: the springs furnished will maintain 12N16N of force.

1 CLLECTOR RINGS
During shutdown periods the collector ring should be clean, such as remove the carbon dust in
surface groove & hole so as to ensure efficient cooling condition.
The rings should be examined for surface roughness and roundness, excessive pitting, threading
or grooving. In severe cases, the rings will be ground or turned. Light cases can be cleaned by
dressing the rings at rated speed with fine sandpaper.
2

2 SUPPORT AND CONDUTING PARTS

All parts of the brush rigging should be thoroughly cleaned to remove carbon dust, oil and dirt.
For this purpose, clean rags are best, but a small amount of alcohol can be used if needed. Some
cleaning fluids may have a very adverse effect on the collector ring film, so they should be kept away
from the ring surfaces and brush. It is also important to clean the insulated surfaces, between and
adjacent to the collector rings. All parts of the brush rigging must be kept tight. At shut down, check
all nuts, bolts and capscrews for tightness. If not corrected periodically, excessive vibration of the
brushholder rigging may take place.
3
A

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70%

90%
70%

3 BRUSHHOLDER
A COMBINED BRUSHHOLDER
Inspect pressure of constant-pressure springs with a spring balance (NOTE: Pull direction
accord with brush slide direction in holder), replace anyone which pressure is illegal(NOTE: It is
important not to bend the spring backward its normal curvature except it must be done).
Inspect assembly state of brushholder: Fitting surface is clean and smooth of brushholder box
and wedge, electrodeposited coating is not scar or oxidized, contact area great than 70%.Thread of
connect bolt and screw is keep intact, fixed hard. Brush slide smooth in holder, dont block. Contact
surface between brush pigtail contactor and brushholder box is clean and smooth, electrodeposited
coating is not scar or oxidated, contact area great than 90%.Elastic deformation of insulating handle
is propriety, brushholder is fixed hard. Brushholder wedge and brushholder support contact area great
than 70%. Especially, take care to check clearance accord with drawing between the brushholder
bottom and the collector surface.
B

90%

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B UNIT BRUSHHOLDER
Inspect pressure of constant-pressure springs with a spring balance(NOTE: Pull direction accord
with brush slide direction in holder),replace or adjust anyone which pressure is illegal (NOTE: It is
important not to bend the spring backward its normal curvature except it must be done).
Inspect assembly state of brushholder: Fitting surface is clean and smooth of brushholder box
and bus ring. Thread of connect bolt and screw is keep intact, fixed hard. Brush slide smooth in
holder, no block. Constant-pressure spring back plate can be assembled favorably, fixed hard, dont
loosen. Contact surface between brush pigtail contactor and brushholder box is clean and smooth,
electrodeposited coating is not scar or oxidated, contact area great than 90%.Especially, take care to
check clearance accord with drawing between the brushholder bottom and the collector surface.

A
1

2 51-76m

5
50~120

48
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120
180 180
80%
10A/cm2

72

6 25mm

7
8
9

DURING OPERATION
A DAILY INSPECTIION
1Visually observe operation of the brushes. If sparking occurs on only one brush, its may be
the result of lack of spring press, it may sometimes be corrected by applying extra pressure to that
brush for a moment. If this is not successful, remove the brushholder and inspect all parts carefully
for damage, wear or foreign material. If sparking occurs at the ring surface for most brush may
usually be corrected by wiping the rings with a heavy canvas pad mounted on a board. If this is not
successful, shut down and inspect carefully for collector ring, all parts of brush rigging, etc.
2Excessive brush vibration should be corrected. Double-amplitude vibration of approximately
51-76m should be considered satisfactory. Vibration higher than this should be corrected, although
it may be possible to operate temporarily with higher vibration. Correction may consist of balancing
the rotor or resurfacing the rings or both.
3Make sure all brushes slide freely in their holders. If brush is stopped, it may be corrected by
grinding brush or cleaning hole of holder.
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4Visually observe pigtail of the brushes. If pigtail are oxidated or blue annealing, its may be
the result of over load, because spring press is greater. Anyone whose pressure is illegal should be
replaced or adjusted.
5Visually observe surface of collect rings. The oxidated film of surface should be equality
and bright. Frequently measure surface temperature of collect rings, allowable temperature is
50~120 during operation.
6Replace any brushes when remainder short than 25mm,which have reached the limit of wear
and induced rubbing between pigtail and collector rings. It is normal for the positive brushes to wear
at a greater rate than the negative brushes. The handler should check circs about spring pressure and
brush slide.
Others, for a new generator, contact area is smaller between brushes and collect rings, although
it have be grinded by turn, oxidated film of collect rings have not be formed which have lubricant
effect, hardy, wearable .So, new brush and collect rings should have a breaking-in period. This period
lasted about 48 hour. In the course, the rings temperature can overrun 120,it is prevalent. Run is
allowed if the rings temperature do not overrun 180. It may sometimes be corrected by reduce
brush for a moment when brush current density do not overrun 10A/cm2 if the rings temperature
overrun 180.If this circs overrun 72 hour that the rings temperature overrun 120, shut down and
inspect carefully for brush rigging ventilation, collector ring surface roughness and roundness, brush
quality, all parts fixing of brush rigging, etc.
7Brusheholds and brushes may be reduced properly while the unit operation at low load.
8Brushes should be remove and well kept if the unit will be shut down for extended periods,
and shield surface of the rings.
9Keep the rings and rigging as clean as possible. It is especially important to keep oil away
from the collector rings and brush rigging.NOTE: Dont touch surface of the rings with hand.
B

B YEARLY INSPECTION
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One collector ring (usually the positive ring) may tend to wear more rapidly than the other one.
To distribute this wear evenly between the rings, it may be advisable to interchange the polarity of
the rings at least once each year.
Rings which are badly worn, or which are worn in an irregular pattern causing excessive brush
vibration, should be resurfaced When resurfacing the rings, a minimum amount of material should be
removed, thereby prolonging the life of the assembly.