Pancake slip rings
BGB Pancake slip rings
Flat face-type slip rings for installations where axial length must be minimised, configurable for power, data or both, including 3-way and 17-way face-type catalogue parts.
Key specifications
| Circuits (max) | 17 |
|---|---|
| Circuits note | from catalogue part names (17 Way Face Type) |
Summarised in our own words from BGB (family-owned; legal entity name not stated on its website)'s published data; series maxima, individual models vary. Last checked 2026-10-30. Source 1 · Source 2
Notes on this data
Numeric ratings not published on the pages read.
Specify Motion is not affiliated with BGB (family-owned; legal entity name not stated on its website). BGB and Pancake slip rings are used only to identify the product. Comparisons use published figures; always confirm against the current datasheet.
Typical applications
Alternatives that meet or exceed these figures
Engineers often come to us with a BGB part number and leave with an alternative that is easier to source, quicker to deliver or a better fit for the machine. These series from our supply network is the closest match on published figures.
Flat, disc-style slip rings for machines with little axial height but room radially, available with or without a through hole. They pass power alongside signals such as USB, Ethernet, audio and video.
| Published maximum | Pancake slip rings | PR/PSR Series Pancake Slip Ring |
|---|---|---|
| Circuits | 17 | 30 meets or exceeds |
| Current per circuit | — | 20 A |
| Speed | — | 100 rpm |
| Voltage | — | 380 V |
| Bore | — | 500 mm |
Figures are the highest published for each series and are not always measured the same way. A higher figure is not automatically a better choice: mounting, duty cycle, feedback, connectors and approvals matter too. An engineer will check the fit against your application before recommending anything.
What a pancake slip ring is
A pancake slip ring, sometimes called a platter or flat slip ring, arranges its rings as concentric circles on a flat disc rather than as a stack along a shaft. Brushes press axially onto the face of the disc. This makes the assembly very short along the axis, often only a few tens of millimetres, at the cost of a larger diameter as circuits are added. Most pancake designs also have a central bore, so a shaft or services can pass through the middle.
When engineers choose a pancake slip ring
Choose a pancake design when axial height is the tightest constraint, such as in low-profile turntables, medical tables, rotary platforms under a payload or equipment mounted against a bulkhead. The trade-offs are circuit count and speed: each extra ring adds diameter, outer rings run at higher surface speed and the flat face is more exposed to debris. For many circuits in a modest diameter, a barrel-type through-bore unit is usually more economical. Speed ratings are typically lower than for capsules.
How to specify the BGB Pancake slip rings
Send these with your enquiry and an engineer can confirm the right Pancake slip rings variant or an equivalent:
- Maximum axial height and outer diameter (mm)
- Bore diameter (mm)
- Number of circuits and current per circuit (A)
- Voltage between adjacent rings (V)
- Speed (rpm)
- Contamination exposure and sealing (IP code)
- Orientation: horizontal or vertical axis
Common mistakes to avoid
- Asking for many circuits in a pancake format, which drives diameter and cost up quickly
- Ignoring axial runout of the mounting face, which changes brush pressure around the turn
- Leaving the ring face exposed to dust or swarf without a cover
- Specifying high speed without checking the surface speed of the outermost ring
BGB Pancake slip rings: frequently asked questions
What is the BGB Pancake slip rings?
Flat face-type slip rings for installations where axial length must be minimised, configurable for power, data or both, including 3-way and 17-way face-type catalogue parts. Published series figures include circuits 17. It is made by BGB (family-owned; legal entity name not stated on its website); Specify Motion can help source it or propose an equivalent.
Who makes the BGB Pancake slip rings?
The BGB Pancake slip rings is made by BGB (BGB (family-owned; legal entity name not stated on its website)) and is listed here for engineers comparing options. Specify Motion is not affiliated with BGB (family-owned; legal entity name not stated on its website); brand names are used only to identify the product.
What is the circuits of the BGB Pancake slip rings?
The published series maximum circuits is 17. Individual models and sizes in the Pancake slip rings range vary, so check the exact variant against your duty cycle, mounting and environment, or ask our engineers to confirm the right size for you.
Is there an alternative to the BGB Pancake slip rings?
Yes. On published figures, PR/PSR Series Pancake Slip Ring is the closest match from our supply network. An engineer confirms the fit against your application before recommending anything.
When is a pancake slip ring better than a barrel slip ring?
A pancake slip ring wins when there is very little axial space but room to spread out radially, such as under a flat turntable. A barrel or through-bore design wins when you need many circuits, higher speed or a smaller diameter. If both length and diameter are tight, the circuit count usually has to be reduced or some signals multiplexed onto a data channel.
Do pancake slip rings have a lower speed rating?
Often, yes. Because the rings sit at different radii, the outermost ring runs at the highest surface speed, and the flat face makes brush dynamics more sensitive to axial runout. Pancake designs are typically used at modest speeds. If the application turns quickly, check the rated rpm against the largest ring and consider a barrel design instead.
Further reading: How to select a slip ring · Slip rings
Other pancake slip rings series
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