Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common product, installation, technical and distributor questions.
What year was Earthrings founded?
Earthrings (Pty) Ltd was founded in 2012 in South Africa, with a vision to develop innovative solutions for protecting electric motor bearings from damaging shaft currents associated with Variable Speed Drives (VSDs).
Who started the company?
Earthrings was founded by Troy Timm, an experienced electric motor specialist with a background in electric motor design, repair and research and development. His years of hands-on experience in the electric motor industry provided the technical foundation for the development of Earthrings.
What inspired the development of Earthrings?
The idea for Earthrings developed after Troy and his team began noticing a trend of premature bearing failures in electric motors. While working in the armature winding industry, Troy identified shaft-voltage arcing as an important contributor to these failures. He led an extensive research and development project, analysing thousands of bearings over a three-year period and comparing the findings with international research. Recognising the growing use of VSD technology and the need for effective bearing protection, Troy saw an opportunity to develop a dedicated shaft-grounding solution. This research ultimately led to the creation of Earthrings.
Did you manufacture other products before Earthrings?
Before founding Earthrings, Troy had spent approximately 20 years working in the electric motor repair and armature winding industry. This experience included electric motor repairs, design and research into motor and bearing failures. Rather than Earthrings evolving from an unrelated product range, it grew directly from this extensive experience within the electric motor industry.
How has Earthrings grown since it started?
Since its establishment in 2012, Earthrings has grown from its original shaft-grounding solution into a broader range of bearing-protection technologies for low- and high-voltage electric motors. Today, the Earthrings range includes LV and HV Classic Earthrings, the adjustable ARC range, Seal-X (launching in 2027) and the new electronic e-Earthring technology (launching in 2028). The company has also expanded internationally. The company's continued focus on research and development has resulted in technologies such as Gold Fibre Technology, adjustable shaft-grounding rings and electronic shaft-voltage monitoring, reflecting Earthrings' progression from its original product into a specialised shaft-grounding technology company.
Why does an Earthrings bearing-protection ring last so long?
Earthrings use conductive microfibres designed to maintain shaft contact without the conventional wear pattern associated with block-style brushes. Product life remains application- and installation-dependent.
How long do the conductive microfibres last?
Service life depends on the application, operating environment, correct product selection and installation. Refer to the applicable product warranty and technical documentation for approved terms.
Is maintenance required after installation?
Follow the approved installation, inspection and maintenance guidance for the specific Earthrings product and application.
How do oil and grease affect the product?
Grease, oil and contamination can affect conventional shaft-grounding contact. Seal X was developed as a grease-resistant, contamination-protected solution using an integrated PTFE seal.
Where does VFD-induced shaft voltage go without an alternate grounding path?
If a suitable alternate path is not provided, electrical discharge may pass through the motor bearings or other conductive paths to ground.
Why are shaft currents destructive?
Repeated electrical discharge can damage bearing surfaces, contribute to pitting, frosting and fluting, affect lubricant and lead to noise, vibration and premature bearing failure.
Should one or two Earthrings be installed?
Product quantity and placement depend on the motor and application. Use the approved technical guidance or contact Earthrings USA for application support.
How do I select the correct product size?
Use shaft diameter, voltage class, NEMA or IEC requirements, fixed or adjustable product needs, operating environment and installation requirements.
What is the difference between Classic and ARC?
Classic products are fixed-size rings. ARC products use adjustable conductive fibre holders to cover a range of shaft diameters.
What is the difference between LV and HV products?
LV products are intended for approved low-voltage applications. HV products use a heavier-duty design and application review for large high-voltage motors.
What is Seal X?
Seal X is a grease-resistant shaft grounding solution with an integrated PTFE seal designed to protect conductive fibres from grease, oil and contamination.
Can the public view pricing?
No. Product pricing is reserved for approved distributors and must be protected server-side.
How do I become a distributor?
Complete the distributor application. Earthrings USA reviews the company, territory, capabilities and supporting information before approving an account.
How do approved distributors request quotations?
Approved distributors sign in, select products and quantities, add them to a quotation basket and submit the request for Earthrings USA to prepare a formal commercial quotation.
Can I pay through the website?
No. Approved distributors use the website to select products and submit quotation requests. Earthrings USA reviews the request and adds shipping, freight and final commercial terms before issuing the formal quotation. Payment is not completed through the website.