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

A brush holder assembly for an electric machine, comprising:

• a brush holder couplable to the electric machine;
• a carbon brush slidably disposed within the brush holder, the carbon brush including an upper surface, a lower surface opposite the upper surface, and a first cavity extending into the carbon brush from the upper surface;
• wherein the lower surface of the carbon brush is configured to engage a rotating surface of the electric machine when the brush holder is coupled to the electric machine;
• a spring including a first end coupled to the brush holder and a second end;
• and
• a spacer juxtaposed with the upper surface of the carbon brush, the spacer including a first projection extending away from a bottom surface of the spacer and into the first cavity;
• wherein a coiled portion of the spring is cradled by an arcuate surface of the spacer;
• wherein the spring is configured to apply a force to the carbon brush urging the lower surface of the carbon brush toward the rotating surface of the electric machine when the brush holder is coupled to the electric machine.