What is a Braking Resistor? from AutomationDirect
To learn more: https://www.automationdirect.com/brake-resistor?utm_source=RT17GF5Xl5Y&utm_medium=VideoTeamDescription
(VID-DR-0371)
What are braking resistors? Braking resistors don’t actually provide braking directly rather they actually allow a drive to stop a loaded motor faster.
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What are braking resistors? Well, they are, as the name indicates, resistors. Usually, they are large high-wattage resistors whose purpose is to convert electrical energy to heat. Braking resistors don’t actually provide braking directly rather they actually allow a drive to stop a loaded motor faster. Yes, that may sound confusing so let me explain. When a drive slows or stops a motor the motor can actually act like a generator and send current back to the drive. This is called regenerative voltage and is actually what is used in hybrid and electric cars to charge the batteries. But, on AC or DC drives this regenerative voltage often has nowhere to go so it just raises the bus voltage and can create an overvoltage fault on the drive, which allows the motor to coast to stop and protects the drive. Usually, though, this is only an issue with high inertia loads or rapid deceleration. (See the video linked above or in the description for a detailed look at overvoltage on WEG drives.) So, by installing a braking resistor the drive can bleed off this excess voltage, which the braking resistor converts to heat. Keep in mind what I just said about heat, a considerable amount of heat can be generated depending on the drive, duty cycle of braking, and other factors. Usually, best practice is for the braking resistors to be mounted outside of the drive enclosure. Most braking resistors are sold either open style, encapsulated, or in ventilated NEMA 1 enclosures. Whatever style is used ensure there is sufficient space, air flow, and ventilation to deal with the heat. We’ve made it super easy to find the exact resistor options for all drives we sell. Either look at the specs or manual for your drive to see the exact brake part numbers rather than just resistance and wattage. You can see the open-style models here and the NEMA 1 styles here. Note that a few drives require a dynamic braking unit to add a braking resistor, in those cases the specs or manual will indicate that and the braking resistors and dynamic braking unit specs will show the required part numbers. If you have a drive from another manufacturer, you can always still shop by resistance and wattage. And we offer multiple manufacturers including US-made Chrom Resistors. For more help please see our support options here. To shop for drive accessories click here. Please subscribe to be notified of new products and solutions.
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