ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Slip ring

A slip ring is a special kind of electrical connector that helps to transmit electricity and other signals from a stationary source to a rotating one. Imagine that you have a toy car with a battery inside and that you want to attach a piece of wire to it so that you can make it drive in circles. If you rotate the toy car too many times, the wire will get twisted and tangle up. A slip ring solves this problem by providing a spinning connection point.

Slip rings usually have two parts: a stationary ring and a rotating ring. The stationary ring stays in one place, while the rotating one moves around with the rotating machine. A bunch of wires or electrical contacts run through the stationary ring and meet up with corresponding contacts on the rotating ring. As the machine turns, these contacts rub together, creating an electrical circuit that allows electricity to flow from the stationary part to the spinning part.

Slip rings are very useful in many applications, such as in wind turbines, where they help to transmit power from the stationary base to the spinning blades. They are also used in industrial machines, in robotics, and even in amusement park rides. Without slip rings, many machines that involve rotation and electricity would be impossible to build.