Slip ring assemblies are specified when it is required to transfer electrical energy between members that possess relative rotary motion. Regardless of design or approach, basically they are slideably engaged electric couplings consisting of circular metallic rings and mating conductive brushes.

Because of the great variety of demands made upon the slip ring assembly, it is imperative that the system designer give thought to the space available and performance expected early in the design stage. This will enable the systems engineer working with a competent slip ring manufacturer to evolve a design without the necessity of compromising the basic goals the slip ring assembly is expected to perform.

The conditions listed below are not necessarily in their order of importance since it is impossible to determine beforehand which is going to be the major criterion for a particular design. In order to obtain optimum design conditions consideration must be given to all of the parameters.