A commutator is made of copper segments. The segments have a tapered form and are made of electrolytic copper (E-Cu) or profile copper (Cu-Ag). These copper segments are placed in a circle and insulated from each other by sheets of mica.
The segment ring can be connected in various ways with a supporting steel construction:


• Swallowtail construction:
A steel core with a negative swallowtail is completely insulated from the copper segment ring, which has a positive swallowtail.
• Construction with bandages:
A cylindrical, insulated steel part on which the copper is attached with:
Fiber-glass bands
Steel rings at the ends and/or the middle.
A combination of the two.
• Floating constructionWithout steel core but with steel rings insulated internally from the copper.