Sinamics Braking Units (Braking Modules And Braking Resistors) - Siemens SINAMICS G130 Engineering Manual

Fundamental Principles and System Description
Engineering Information

1.7 SINAMICS braking units (Braking Modules and braking resistors)

Braking units consist of a Braking Module (braking chopper) and an external braking resistor and they are needed for
any system supplied by an Infeed which is not capable of regenerative operation (SINAMICS G130 and G150
converters and drives with SINAMICS S120 Basic Line Modules) and in which regenerative energy is occasionally
produced, e.g. when the drive is braking.
A Braking Module and an external braking resistor can also be used in systems with Infeeds capable of regenerative
operation (SINAMICS S150 converters and drives with SINAMICS S120 Smart Line Modules or Active Line Modules)
for applications which require the drives to be stopped after a power supply failure (e.g. emergency retraction or
EMERGENCY OFF / Category 1).
The Braking Module consists of the power electronics and the associated control electronics. When in operation, the
DC link energy is converted into heat losses by an external braking resistor outside the converter cabinet. The
Braking Module is connected to the DC link and operates completely automously as a function of the DC link voltage
value. It does not interact in any way with the closed-loop control of the Infeed or the inverter.
Braking unit comprising a Braking Module and a braking resistor
Various types of Braking Modules are available for SINAMICS converters within the power range included in this
engineering manual:
·
Built-in Braking Modules (response time 1 - 2 ms),
·
Central Braking Modules (response time 1 - 2 ms),
·
Motor Modules which are operated as a 3-phase Braking Module (response time 4 - 5 ms).
Built-in Braking Modules are designed for mounting in SINAMICS air-cooled power units and are available with
continuous braking power ratings of 25 kW and 50 kW. They can be mounted in the Power Modules of the
SINAMICS G130, G150 and S150 converters, and in the air-cooled Line Modules and Motor Modules of the
SINAMICS S120 modular system in Chassis and Cabinet Modules format.
In order to boost the braking power, it is possible to operate multiple built-in Braking Modules on a common DC bus.
The maximum number should be restricted to between about 4 and 6 Braking Modules per DC bus in the interests of
an equal power distribution.
Central Braking Modules are stand-alone cabinet components in the spectrum of the modular SINAMICS S120
Cabinet Modules. They are available with continuous braking power ratings of 200 kW to 460 kW.
One or more Central Braking Modules can therefore be installed in drive line-ups comprising S120 Cabinet Modules
as a substitute for multiple built-in Braking Modules. In this case as well, the maximum number should be restricted to
about 4 Braking Modules per DC bus. In this regard, it is essential to observe the rules outlined in chapter "General
Information about Modular Cabinet Units SINAMICS S120 Cabinet Modules", section "Central Braking Modules".
When more than one Central Braking Module is operating on a common DC bus, a separate braking resistor must be
connected to each Central Braking Module.
SINAMICS S120 Motor Modules in Chassis and Cabinet Modules format can also be used as a Braking Module
(braking chopper) if a 3-phase braking resistor is connected instead of a motor. They are available with continuous
braking power ratings up to about 1300 kW at 400V and about 1750 kW at 690V.
The use of SINAMICS S120 Motor Modules as 3-phase Braking Modules is always advisable for applications which
require extremely high braking powers, especially high continuous braking powers.
For further information about the available range of Braking Modules, matching braking resistors and correct
matching of Power Modules plus dimensioning guidelines, please refer to the chapters on specific converter types.
The chapters "Converter Chassis Units SINAMICS G130" and "Converter Cabinet Units SINAMICS G150" also
provide examples of how to calculate the required Braking Modules and braking resistors on the basis of given load
duty cycles.
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Ó Siemens AG