System and method for monitoring the status of one or more components of an electrical machine

A brush holder assembly, the assembly comprising:

• a brush holder for receiving and positioning a carbon brush in relation to a rotating component of an electrical machine;
• a spring mounted to the brush holder, the spring for providing a force to a carbon brush received in the brush holder such that the carbon brush engages the rotating component of the electrical machine;
• a sensor positioned between the spring and the brush holder, the sensor having an output that varies as a shape of the sensor varies, wherein the shape of the sensor is representative of a physical position and/or movement of a carbon brush received in the brush holder;
• and
• a wear state monitor in electrical communication with the sensor, the wear state monitor for determining a measure of a wear state of the carbon brush using the output of the sensor.

A brush holder assembly having an integral sensor for monitoring a wear state of a carbon brush or a rotating component of an electrical machine, the brush holder assembly comprising:

• a brush holder having a mounting beam;
• a carbon brush positioned in the brush holder;
• a spring coupled to the brush holder, the spring for providing a force to engage the carbon brush with a rotating component of the electrical machine;
• a sensor positioned between the spring and the mounting beam, the sensor having an output that changes as a change in radius of curvature of the sensor changes;
• an indicator for providing an indication of the wear state of at least one of the carbon brush and the rotating component of the electrical machine based, at least in part, on the output of the sensor.