Additional Notes on Braking Systems

27th December 2015

The three methods of removing the excessive charge on the capacitors in the
variable frequency drive systems are:

a. Dynamic resistor braking.

b. Sharing the dc bus between different inverter drives.
c. Regenerative device that will return the dc charge on the capacitor
back to the ac supply.

The energy that results from braking is converted as follows:

a. Converted to heat energy in the motor under the methods of plugging and d.c.
injection braking.
b. Converted to heat in the Eddy current braking device under the Eddy current
braking method.
c. Converted to heat in the dynamic resistor in the dynamic braking resistor
method.
d. Returned to the supply under the regenerative drive option.

The following is a comparison between electrical and mechanical braking systems:

a. Electrical braking systems are used for functional braking (controlling the
speed; bringing the load to standstill). Mechanical braking systems are used
for emergency stopping or for parking.
b. Electrical braking is usually very smooth and comfortable. Mechanical
braking is usually rough and uncomfortable.
c. No wear results from electrical braking. Mechanical braking on the other hand
causes wear in the braking components and requires regular maintenance.
d. It is possible (but not always feasible) in electrical braking systems to return
the regenerated energy back to main supply. This is not possible in
mechanical braking systems and the energy is always lost as heat, noise and
wear.
e. The electrical braking system cannot be used as a safety device. Most
system will require a mechanical braking system as a backup safety device.