Carbon dust extraction from brush gear assemblies

A team of experienced engineers at Končar has considered how to minimize or prevent problems caused by contamination from carbon dust in generators and motors. They concluded that the problem must be solved at the source of the dust, that is, in the area where the brushes are installed. This paper describes a variety of solutions and measures for the development of a system for the suction or blocking of carbon dust, and experiences in practice. The main focus is to describe research and development of an active carbon dust extraction system for three new vertical hydro generators with nominal ratings of 21.5 MVA.