Dual-frequency braking in AC drives

Many variable frequency drive (VFD) applications require infrequent or partial braking. The use of a regenerative circuit, or of a dynamic braking resistor, adds significant cost to the VFD. This paper presents a method to obtain braking torque in nonregenerative AC drives without the need for additional power circuits. With this method, braking energy is absorbed from the rotating inertia at the applied frequency and is dissipated in the motor at a second loss-inducing frequency. Theoretical results that illustrate the usefulness and limitations of the proposed approach are given. Test results with low-voltage and medium-voltage drives are included in this paper. As compared to DC injection braking, the proposed method allows continuous estimation of motor speed and gives much higher braking torque per ampere.