Removable Carbon Brush Holder FAQ

What types of generators benefit from Cutsforth™ EASYchange® carbon brush holders?

Our carbon brush holders are currently installed on gas and steam turbines, hydroelectric, and at nuclear power plants. Other retrofits include chemical plants, paper mills, and oil & gas refineries. From the smallest power producers to some of the nation’s largest power companies, Cutsforth™ brush holders are quickly becoming the best choice for an in-service removable brush holder. In addition to the United States, Cutforth brush holders have been installed overseas in several countries.

What brands of generators are Cutsforth™ EASYchange® carbon brush holders installed on?

General Electric, Westinghouse, Allis Chalmers, Electric Machinery, Alstom, ABB, ASEA, GM, Siemens, and Hitachi.

Why should I consider a retrofit with Cutsforth™ EASYchange® carbon brush holders?

Our brush holder will bring increased personnel safety, increased collector ring and brush rigging reliability, and decreased maintenance costs to your plant.

What problems will Cutsforth™ EASYchange® carbon brush holders address on my generator?

Arcing, brush binding, poor terminal connections, poor spring pressure, and photographing.

Our brush holders can reduce collector ring wear and improve and protect the critical brush-to-ring connection.

How long does a Cutsforth™ EASYchange® carbon brush holder retrofit take?

Entire retrofits can usually be completed in one business day. The Cutsforth™ team works with your company and/or outage coordinators to get our brush holders installed during your outage.

How long has Cutsforth™ EASYchange® holders been operating in generators?

Our holders have been in service and operating for over 20 years. There are currently over 50,000 Cutsforth™ EASYchange® brush holders in operation worldwide.

How reliable are Cutsforth™ carbon brush holders?

We are proud to proclaim that we have never had a failure to date from our brush holder.

Has Cutsforth™ installed carbon brush holders on DC motors?

Yes, on larger critical applications. We have our brush holders on larger DC motors such as MG sets.

Can Cutsforth™ EASYchange® carbon brush holders be installed on commutators, pilot exciters, and Alterrex ring sets?

Yes, the installation variables are the brush size, ring or commutator size (width), and the existing brush rigging setup.

How can we clean the brushes and collector rings?

Denatured alcohol combined with clean lint free rags is the best way to clean the brush holders and collector rings.

How can I see a demonstration or receive more information?

We regularly schedule online demonstrations, which consist of a web-based meeting and conference call for plant personnel. Please schedule a demo by filling out this form.