2. Dynamic brake
2.1 Operating principles
The dynamic brake uses the train's inertia (i.e. its motion) to generate braking effort, possibly by providing "excitation" energy to initiate braking.
The dynamic brake is, by its very nature, wear-free, making it a highly cost-effective brake. What's more, in some versions, the train's kinetic energy can be partially recovered to power other on-board devices, or more frequently to be fed back into the power supply line for other trains running on the same line, or even to the power supply network if substations allow.
It is particularly interesting at high speeds, where friction brakes show their limits (very high speeds), but also when frequent braking is required (urban operation).
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Dynamic brake
Friction brake
Bibliography
Standards and norms
- Railway applications – Braking – Generic vocabulary - EN 14478 -
- Railway applications – Brake discs for railway rolling stock - EN 14535 -
- Railway applications – Braking – Friction linings - EN 15328 -
- Railway applications – Braking – Brake shoe holders and keys for rail vehicles - EN 15329 -
- Railway applications – Braking – Criteria for the function and performance of magnetic braking...
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