Abstract: Improvements to slip rings (200) and methods for the operation thereof include an improved slip ring assembly (200) that has a stationary element (202), a rotating element (210) rotatable with respect to the stationary (202) element, a bearing assembly coupled between the stationary element (202) and the rotating element (210), and one or more contact brushes (213) on one of the stationary element (202) or the rotating element (210). In some embodiments, the bearing assembly includes a primary bearing, a secondary bearing, a shear pin coupling the secondary bearing to the primary bearing, and an electrical monitoring circuit (206) in communication with the shear pin. In some embodiments, the one or more contact brushes (213) includes one or more metal fiber brushes constructed of a plurality of metal fibers that are configured to transmit one or more of electrical power or data between the stationary element (202) and the rotating element (210).