A brush holder system includes a stationary support member having at least one groove, and a fork electrical connector. A brush retainment member is configured to be releasably affixed to the stationary support member. The brush retainment member has at least one rail configured to slide along the at least one groove. The brush retainment member has a knife electrical connector configured to mate with the fork electrical connector. A radio frequency identification device (RFID) tag is mounted on the brush retainment member, and the RFID tag is configured to monitor brush wear and communicate brush wear status to a monitoring system. The stationary support member is configured for electrical connection to a collector mount and the brush retainment member is configured to retain at least one brush.