We've said it before but it's worth repeating.
Good extension banding is absolutely critical to maintain the life of your comm. Banding with gaps and cracks allows for carbon to infiltrate, ultimately leading to shorts or even worse, complete failures. It's important to inspect the banding from time to time as well as coat the banding and the front face of the bars with Viton or Limitrac.
If you have any questions ICC is always here to help, even if you didn't buy your comm from us
Extension Banding and why it's CRITICAL
Check out this image of bad banding versus good banding. See all the gaps and holes?
Those tiny little slits between the banding and the steel put this commutator (on the left) in a vulnerable position. The fine particles of carbon that come off the brushes find their way into any little gap or hole. Enough contamination will lead to a short or even worse, a failure. To get the most life out of your commutators check the banding frequently and if needed replace the banding.
ICC is more than happy to help. Call or email anytime if you have questions. We can walk you through what to look for and even guide you through the process, we'll even tell you exactly what products we recommend using.
Seamless Extension Banding Can Save a Commutator
When you band commutator extensions with skill and a few tricks of the trade, all seams are sealed and carbon won't infiltrate. Preventing carbon from entering behind the copper bars, or between the mica v-ring and the steel can prevent problems with arcing bar-to-bar, as well as bar-to-ground. The pressure used, technique applied, and finishing touches make a big difference. A feeler gauge should not be able to enter a seam. If it can, your comm is at risk. Contact us if we can help walk you through it the next time you have to replace a band.