What component allows current to flow from the field coils to the armature?

The component that allows current to flow from the field coils to the armature is the brushes. Brushes are conductive materials that maintain electrical contact with the rotating armature of a motor or generator. They serve to transmit current between stationary and rotating parts of the electrical machinery.

In a typical setup, field coils generate a magnetic field that interacts with the armature. The brushes press against the commutator, which is mounted on the armature shaft. As the armature spins, the brushes continue to make contact with the segments of the commutator, allowing the electrical current to flow from the field coils, through the brushes, and into the armature winding. This current flow is essential for generating torque in electric motors or producing electrical energy in generators.

Field coils, while critical in generating the magnetic field necessary for operation, do not directly facilitate the flow of current to the armature. The starter housing is primarily a protective enclosure for the various components of the starter motor, and it does not play a role in the electrical connection. The overrun clutch is a mechanical component used to allow free rotation of the armature in one direction but does not affect electrical connectivity between the field coils and the armature. Thus, brushes are the correct answer as they