Current collectors take power from the crane busbar to the moving crane. TMA, sole agent of Vahle in Egypt, supplies the matching Vahle collectors, carbon brushes and spare parts for every Vahle busbar system, and maintains them with your cranes.
What a current collector does
A current collector (in Egypt often simply called a "collector") takes power from the crane busbar to the moving crane. It is mounted on the crane, trolley or hoist and keeps carbon brushes pressed against the conductor rail while the crane travels.
Because it is a moving wear part, the collector decides how reliable the power supply is: a worn brush, a weak spring or a misaligned arm causes sparks, power interruptions and crane stops.
Types of current collectors for crane busbars
| Busbar system | Collector | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Insulated conductor rails (Vahle U series, FABA) | Single-pole collectors, one per conductor, on a common arm | Most overhead and gantry cranes |
| Compact conductor systems (Vahle VKS, VCL) | Multi-pole collector trolley running in the housing | Light cranes, monorails, stacker cranes |
| Enclosed conductor systems (Vahle KBH, MKH, LSV) | Collector trolley running inside the enclosed housing | Dusty halls and warehouses |
Always use the collector designed for your rail profile: a Vahle rail works with the matching Vahle current collector.
Choosing and replacing a collector
- Rail type and profile already installed on the crane.
- Current per pole and number of poles (phases, PE, control).
- Travel speed, and whether the runway has curves or switches.
- Mounting: the arm and towing bracket on the crane.
Send us a photo of the existing collector and rail with any label you can read – we identify the model and offer the right Vahle collector, brushes and spare parts.
Maintenance of current collectors
- Check carbon brush wear and replace brushes before the wear limit.
- Check the spring contact pressure and the free movement of the arm.
- Check the alignment between collector and rail along the runway.
- Check the cables and terminals on the collector.
TMA includes busbars and collectors in its crane maintenance visits and keeps spare brushes and collectors available – see spare parts.
Vahle busbar systems and their collectors
Questions and answers
What is a crane current collector?
The moving part that takes power from the busbar (conductor rail) to the crane, trolley or hoist through carbon brushes pressed against the rail.
Do you supply Vahle current collectors in Egypt?
Yes. As sole agent of Vahle in Egypt, TMA supplies Vahle current collectors, carbon brushes and spare parts for Vahle busbar systems.
How often should collector brushes be replaced?
It depends on the crane duty and travel distance. Check them in every maintenance visit and replace them before they reach the wear limit.
Can I use any collector on my busbar?
No. The collector must match the rail profile, current and speed – use the collector designed for your busbar system.
Do you supply Vahle current collectors in Egypt and Saudi Arabia?
Yes. TMA supplies Vahle current collectors to factories and warehouses across Egypt from our office in Nasr City, Cairo, with installation and after-sales service in Egypt, and we also supply customers in Saudi Arabia. Send your requirements on WhatsApp or through the quotation form.