2 Engineering
2.7 Braking resistances
44 DC1 Variable Frequency Drive 04/16 MN04020003Z-EN www.eaton.com
2.7 Braking resistances
In certain operating states, the motor may run as a generator in certain 
applications (regenerative braking operation).
Examples include:
• Lowering in hoisting gear and conveyor applications
• Controlled speed reduction in the case of large load inertias 
(flywheels)
• A fast speed reduction in dynamic travel drives
When the motor operates as a generator, its braking energy will be fed into 
the variable frequency drives DC link via the inverter. DC link voltage U
DC
 will 
be increased as a result. If the voltage value is too high, the DA1 variable 
frequency drive will disable its inverter,  after which the motor will coast 
uncontrolled.
If there is a braking chopper and a connected braking resistance R
B
, the 
braking energy fed back into the variable frequency drive can be dissipated in 
order to limit the DC link voltage.
DC1-…B-A… variable frequency drives (frame sizes FS2, FS3, and FS4) 
feature an integrated braking chopper. The brake resistors are connected to 
the internal braking transistor with terminals DC+ and BR so that they will be 
connected in parallel to the DC link. In addition to this, the braking chopper 
must be enabled using parameter P-34 (= 1 or = 2).
The braking chopper will be switched on automatically if the braking energy 
being fed back causes the DC link voltage to increase to the switch-on 
voltage’s magnitude.
For example, in the case of DC1-34… variable frequency drives, the braking 
chopper will be switched on at a DC link voltage of approximately 780 V DC 
and then back off at 756 V DC. During this stage, the braking transistor and 
the brake resistor will be active continuously. 
Device series
Mains 
connection
Voltage class Braking chopper 
on
Braking chopper 
off
DC1-12… Single-phase 230 V 390 V 378 V
DC1-32…
Three-phase 230 V 390 V 378 V
DC1-34…
Three-phase 400 V 780 V 756 V