What the slip ring has to handle
- Power circuits for lighting, motors and onboard systems
- Data and control (Ethernet, fieldbus such as CAN or PROFIBUS) for sensors and onboard control
- High circuit counts relative to other applications
- Speeds from low rpm up to around 100 rpm
- Robust, shielded construction for stationary and mobile installations
- Option for combined air or water swivels and position encoders
- Support for condition monitoring and predictive maintenance
Typical figures
| Speed | Low rpm up to around 100 rpm |
|---|---|
| Data | 1000BASE-T and 100BASE-TX Ethernet; PROFIBUS 12 Mbps; CAN 500 kbit/s |
| Power | Contactless example 24 V DC, 300 W |
Example figures from the published sources listed below. Your requirement may differ; an engineer will confirm against your duty cycle.
Recommended slip ring types
Standards to consider
- EN 13814-1 - safety of amusement rides: design and manufacture
- EN 13814-2 - operation, maintenance and testing
- EN 13814-3 - inspection, including electrical equipment
The complete system
A slip ring rarely works alone. For amusement rides it is usually specified together with:
- main drive motor
- VFD
- brake
- encoder
- rotary union
- safety PLC
Specifying these together avoids mismatched connectors, cable routes and feedback interfaces, and gives you one point of contact for the whole axis.
Common problems to design out
- Lighting or control circuit dropouts from worn contacts
- Signal interference on data rings
- Ingress on outdoor or water rides
- Wear from continuous daily operation
Frequently asked questions
What does a slip ring do on a fairground ride?
It carries power for lighting and secondary motors, and increasingly sensor and control data, from the stationary base to the rotating structure. Some designs add air or water swivels and an encoder.
Which standards apply to amusement ride slip rings?
The EN 13814 series covers design, operation and maintenance, and inspection of amusement rides, including electrical equipment checks. The slip ring forms part of the ride's electrical system under these.
Can ride slip rings carry Ethernet?
Yes. Rotary joints for rides are offered with Gigabit and Fast Ethernet, PROFIBUS and CAN, sometimes combined with power rings.