
- Electrical Machines - Home
- Basic Concepts
- Electromechanical Energy Conversion
- Energy Stored in Magnetic Field
- Singly-Excited and Doubly Excited Systems
- Rotating Electrical Machines
- Electrical Machines Types
- Faraday’s Laws of Electromagnetic Induction
- Concept of Induced EMF
- Fleming's Left Hand and Right Hand Rules
- Transformers
- Electrical Transformer
- Construction of Transformer
- EMF Equation of Transformer
- Turns Ratio and Voltage Transformation Ratio
- Ideal Transformer
- Practical Transformer
- Ideal and Practical Transformers
- Transformer on DC
- Losses in a Transformer
- Efficiency of Transformer
- 3-Phase Transformer
- Types of Transformers
- More on Transformers
- Transformer Working Principle
- Single-Phase Transformer Working Principle
- 3-Phase Transformer Principle
- 3-Phase Induction Motor Torque-Slip
- 3-Phase Induction Motor Torque-Speed
- 3-Phase Transformer Harmonics
- Double-Star Connection (3-6 Phase)
- Double-delta Connection (3-6 Phase)
- Transformer Ratios
- Voltage Regulation
- Delta-Star Connection (3-Phase)
- Star-Delta Connection (3-Phase)
- Autotransformer Conversion
- Back-to-back Test (Sumpner's Test)
- Transformer Voltage Drop
- Autotransformer Output
- Open and Short Circuit Test
- 3-Phase Autotransformer
- Star-Star Connection
- 6-Phase Diametrical Connections
- Circuit Test (Three-Winding)
- Potential Transformer
- Transformers Parallel Operation
- Open Delta (V-V) Connection
- Autotransformer
- Current Transformer
- No-Load Current Wave
- Transformer Inrush Current
- Transformer Vector Groups
- 3 to 12-Phase Transformers
- Scott-T Transformer Connection
- Transformer kVA Rating
- Three-Winding Transformer
- Delta-Delta Connection Transformer
- Transformer DC Supply Issue
- Equivalent Circuit Transformer
- Simplified Equivalent Circuit of Transformer
- Transformer No-Load Condition
- Transformer Load Condition
- OTI WTI Transformer
- CVT Transformer
- Isolation vs Regular Transformer
- Dry vs Oil-Filled
- DC Machines
- Construction of DC Machines
- Types of DC Machines
- Working Principle of DC Generator
- EMF Equation of DC Generator
- Derivation of EMF Equation DC Generator
- Types of DC Generators
- Working Principle of DC Motor
- Back EMF in DC Motor
- Types of DC Motors
- Losses in DC Machines
- Applications of DC Machines
- More on DC Machines
- DC Generator
- DC Generator Armature Reaction
- DC Generator Commutator Action
- Stepper vs DC Motors
- DC Shunt Generators Critical Resistance
- DC Machines Commutation
- DC Motor Characteristics
- Synchronous Generator Working Principle
- DC Generator Characteristics
- DC Generator Demagnetizing & Cross-Magnetizing
- DC Motor Voltage & Power Equations
- DC Generator Efficiency
- Electric Breaking of DC Motors
- DC Motor Efficiency
- Four Quadrant Operation of DC Motors
- Open Circuit Characteristics of DC Generators
- Voltage Build-Up in Self-Excited DC Generators
- Types of Armature Winding in DC Machines
- Torque in DC Motors
- Swinburne’s Test of DC Machine
- Speed Control of DC Shunt Motor
- Speed Control of DC Series Motor
- DC Motor of Speed Regulation
- Hopkinson's Test
- Permanent Magnet DC Motor
- Permanent Magnet Stepper Motor
- DC Servo Motor Theory
- DC Series vs Shunt Motor
- BLDC Motor vs PMSM Motor
- Induction Motors
- Introduction to Induction Motor
- Single-Phase Induction Motor
- 3-Phase Induction Motor
- Construction of 3-Phase Induction Motor
- 3-Phase Induction Motor on Load
- Characteristics of 3-Phase Induction Motor
- Speed Regulation and Speed Control
- Methods of Starting 3-Phase Induction Motors
- More on Induction Motors
- 3-Phase Induction Motor Working Principle
- 3-Phase Induction Motor Rotor Parameters
- Double Cage Induction Motor Equivalent Circuit
- Induction Motor Equivalent Circuit Models
- Slip Ring vs Squirrel Cage Induction Motors
- Single-Cage vs Double-Cage Induction Motor
- Induction Motor Equivalent Circuits
- Induction Motor Crawling & Cogging
- Induction Motor Blocked Rotor Test
- Induction Motor Circle Diagram
- 3-Phase Induction Motors Applications
- 3-Phase Induction Motors Torque Ratios
- Induction Motors Power Flow Diagram & Losses
- Determining Induction Motor Efficiency
- Induction Motor Speed Control by Pole-Amplitude Modulation
- Induction Motor Inverted or Rotor Fed
- High Torque Cage Motors
- Double-Cage Induction Motor Torque-Slip Characteristics
- 3-Phase Induction Motors Starting Torque
- 3-phase Induction Motor - Rotor Resistance Starter
- 3-phase Induction Motor Running Torque
- 3-Phase Induction Motor - Rotating Magnetic Field
- Isolated Induction Generator
- Capacitor-Start Induction Motor
- Capacitor-Start Capacitor-Run Induction Motor
- Winding EMFs in 3-Phase Induction Motors
- Split-Phase Induction Motor
- Shaded Pole Induction Motor
- Repulsion-Start Induction-Run Motor
- Repulsion Induction Motor
- PSC Induction Motor
- Single-Phase Induction Motor Performance Analysis
- Linear Induction Motor
- Single-Phase Induction Motor Testing
- 3-Phase Induction Motor Fault Types
- Synchronous Machines
- Introduction to 3-Phase Synchronous Machines
- Construction of Synchronous Machine
- Working of 3-Phase Alternator
- Armature Reaction in Synchronous Machines
- Output Power of 3-Phase Alternator
- Losses and Efficiency of an Alternator
- Losses and Efficiency of 3-Phase Alternator
- Working of 3-Phase Synchronous Motor
- Equivalent Circuit and Power Factor of Synchronous Motor
- Power Developed by Synchronous Motor
- More on Synchronous Machines
- AC Motor Types
- Induction Generator (Asynchronous Generator)
- Synchronous Speed Slip of 3-Phase Induction Motor
- Armature Reaction in Alternator at Leading Power Factor
- Armature Reaction in Alternator at Lagging Power Factor
- Stationary Armature vs Rotating Field Alternator Advantages
- Synchronous Impedance Method for Voltage Regulation
- Saturated & Unsaturated Synchronous Reactance
- Synchronous Reactance & Impedance
- Significance of Short Circuit Ratio in Alternator
- Hunting Effect Alternator
- Hydrogen Cooling in Synchronous Generators
- Excitation System of Synchronous Machine
- Equivalent Circuit Phasor Diagram of Synchronous Generator
- EMF Equation of Synchronous Generator
- Cooling Methods for Synchronous Generators
- Assumptions in Synchronous Impedance Method
- Armature Reaction at Unity Power Factor
- Voltage Regulation of Alternator
- Synchronous Generator with Infinite Bus Operation
- Zero Power Factor of Synchronous Generator
- Short Circuit Ratio Calculation of Synchronous Machines
- Speed-Frequency Relationship in Alternator
- Pitch Factor in Alternator
- Max Reactive Power in Synchronous Generators
- Power Flow Equations for Synchronous Generator
- Potier Triangle for Voltage Regulation in Alternators
- Parallel Operation of Alternators
- Load Sharing in Parallel Alternators
- Slip Test on Synchronous Machine
- Constant Flux Linkage Theorem
- Blondel's Two Reaction Theory
- Synchronous Machine Oscillations
- Ampere Turn Method for Voltage Regulation
- Salient Pole Synchronous Machine Theory
- Synchronization by Synchroscope
- Synchronization by Synchronizing Lamp Method
- Sudden Short Circuit in 3-Phase Alternator
- Short Circuit Transient in Synchronous Machines
- Power-Angle of Salient Pole Machines
- Prime-Mover Governor Characteristics
- Power Input of Synchronous Generator
- Power Output of Synchronous Generator
- Power Developed by Salient Pole Motor
- Phasor Diagrams of Cylindrical Rotor Moto
- Synchronous Motor Excitation Voltage Determination
- Hunting Synchronous Motor
- Self-Starting Synchronous Motor
- Unidirectional Torque Production in Synchronous Motor
- Effect of Load Change on Synchronous Motor
- Field Excitation Effect on Synchronous Motor
- Output Power of Synchronous Motor
- Input Power of Synchronous Motor
- V Curves & Inverted V Curves of Synchronous Motor
- Torque in Synchronous Motor
- Construction of 3-Phase Synchronous Motor
- Synchronous Motor
- Synchronous Condenser
- Power Flow in Synchronous Motor
- Types of Faults in Alternator
- Miscellaneous Topics
- Electrical Generator
- Determining Electric Motor Load
- Solid State Motor Starters
- Characteristics of Single-Phase Motor
- Types of AC Generators
- Three-Point Starter
- Four-Point Starter
- Ward Leonard Speed Control Method
- Pole Changing Method
- Stator Voltage Control Method
- DOL Starter
- Star-Delta Starter
- Hysteresis Motor
- 2-Phase & 3-Phase AC Servo Motors
- Repulsion Motor
- Reluctance Motor
- Stepper Motor
- PCB Motor
- Single-Stack Variable Reluctance Stepper Motor
- Schrage Motor
- Hybrid Schrage Motor
- Multi-Stack Variable Reluctance Stepper Motor
- Universal Motor
- Step Angle in Stepper Motor
- Stepper Motor Torque-Pulse Rate Characteristics
- Distribution Factor
- Electrical Machines Basic Terms
- Synchronizing Torque Coefficient
- Synchronizing Power Coefficient
- Metadyne
- Motor Soft Starter
- CVT vs PT
- Metering CT vs Protection CT
- Stator and Rotor in Electrical Machines
- Electric Motor Winding
- Electric Motor
- Useful Resources
- Quick Guide
- Resources
- Discussion
Electric Breaking of DC Motors
The DC motors can be stopped using one of the following methods −
- Mechanical (Friction) Breaking
- Electric Breaking
In mechanical breaking, the motor is stopped due to friction between the moving parts of the motor and the break shoe. The mechanical breaking has several disadvantages as non-smooth stop, wear and tear of moving parts, breaking power wasted as heat and greater stopping time etc.
In electric breaking, the kinetic energy of moving parts of the motor is converted into electrical energy which is either dissipated in a resistance or returned to the supply source.
Types of Electric Breaking
There are three types of electric breaking methods of a DC motor
- Rheostat Breaking or Dynamic Breaking
- Regenerative Breaking
- Plugging or Reverse Current Breaking
Rheostat Breaking or Dynamic Breaking
In dynamic breaking, the armature of running DC motor is disconnected from the supply and is connected across a breaking resistance Rb. However, the field winding is left connected to the supply. Hence, the motor now works as a generator and producing a breaking torque.

This method is also known as rheostat breaking since an external resistance Rb is connected across the armature for the electric breaking. During dynamic electric breaking when the motor works as a generator, the kinetic energy of moving parts of the motor is converted into electrical energy and is dissipated in the form of heat in the breaking resistance Rb and the armature circuit resistance Ra. As a result, the motor is brought to standstill quickly.
The dynamic breaking or rheostat breaking is an inefficient method of breaking since all the generated energy is dissipated in the form heat in the resistance.
Regenerative Breaking
In regenerative breaking, the motor is operated as a generator so the kinetic energy of the moving parts of the motor is converted into electrical energy. This electrical is then returned to the supply source. This action slows down the motor.
The regenerative breaking is only possible when the driven load forces the motor to run at a speed greater than the no-load speed with a constant field excitation. Under this condition, the back EMF (Eb) of the motor is more than the supply voltage, which reverses the armature current of the motor. Therefore, the motor now beings to operate as a generator and the generated electrical energy is transferred to the supply source.
The regenerative breaking cannot be used for stopping the motor. It is just used for controlling the speed above the no-load speed of the DC motors.
The necessary condition for the regenerative breaking is that the back EMF of the motor must be greater than the supply voltage, so that the armature current is reversed and the motoring operation is changed to the generating operation.
The regenerative breaking is mainly used to control the speed of DC motors driving the loads such as electric locomotives, elevators, cranes and hoists etc.
Plugging or Reverse Current Breaking
In the plugging or reverse current breaking, the connections of the armature are reversed so that the motor tends to rotate in the opposite direction and provides the necessary breaking effect. When the motor comes to rest, the supply source must be disconnected otherwise the motor will start rotating in the opposite direction.

When the armature connections are reversed, the supply voltage and the back EMF will act in the same direction. Hence, during the breaking the resultant voltage across the armature will be equal to (V + Eb), which is approximately double of the supply voltage. This reverses the armature current and hence a high breaking torque is produced. To limit the armature current to a safe value, a current limiting resistor is connected in series with the armature.
The plugging is a highly inefficient method of breaking since the power supplied by the moving parts as well as power supplied by the source is wasted in resistances.
The plugging is mainly used in controlling rolling mills, elevators, machine tools and printing presses etc.