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In a message dated 98-09-29 00:03:33 EDT,  Dan the Diode man writes;)

<< An interesting comment by Brent Regan that "..capacitors reduce brush
 arcing in motors...". I believe him to mean that caps reduce noise
 CAUSED by brush arcing in motors by keeping it localized or grounded. >>

I would have said that a capacitor reduces the AC component (and thus the
noise) of the arc by supporting current flow during commutation but I am
basically a lazy person who strives for economy of work and bandwidth.

I have to admit that I have never heard of the brush arc plasma friction
effect you mentioned. It does make sense that, at high surface speeds, the
brushes would be supported by a hydrodynamic film of air and that the plasma
would then be required to support electron flow. Learn something new everyday.

Brent