B6-3.2W tubular slip ring B-Series

Weatherproof six-circuit tubular slip ring, 3.2 in bore

The B6-3.2W is a weatherproof tubular slip ring with six circuits rated at 1 A, for shafts up to 81.3 mm (3.2 in) in diameter. Six circuits allow more than one full-bridge strain gage channel, which is useful on drive shafts where both torque and axial force are measured, and give enough connections for spinning amplifiers. An amplifier on the rotating side sits closer to the sensor, which reduces errors from long lead wires, connector resistance variations, electromagnetic interference and temperature gradients across the contacts. Specially designed seals protect the slip ring from water, mud, snow, dust and other contaminants. The body is Ø 134.3 mm (5.286 in) and 41.1 mm (1.618 in) wide, and the assembly weighs 0.98 kg. It is rated 4,500 rpm continuous and 6,000 rpm in bursts, from −40 to 121 °C, with a maximum peak noise of 0.1 Ω.

Six color-coded solder terminals on the rotor, redundant on the opposite side, take the sensor wires through a wire path slot. On the stator, a Bendix PT02E-10-6P connector is supplied with its PT06E-10-6S mating connector. The rotor is fastened with eight #10-24 set screws, and a bushing is needed on shafts smaller than 3.2 in. The slip ring turns in both directions, and an optimal sealing direction may be specified.

It is used on large automotive drive shafts in road testing. For the open version with the same bore, see the B4-3.2 and B6-3.2.