a brush holding apparatus for at least one carbon brush includes a support plate with at least one brush guide , a spring element constructed and arranged for urging a carbon brush having a longitudinal axis mounted in the brush guide in a direction towards a commutator or slip ring , and a retaining element constructed and arranged for retracting the carbon brush against a force exerted by the spring element or for releasing the brush . the retaining element is slidably supported by the base plate in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of a carbon brush mounted in the brush guide .