Servo Drive Regeneration – Turning Deceleration into Savings

How Regeneration Works
When a servo motor decelerates, it acts as a generator, converting kinetic energy into electrical energy. This regenerative power is either dissipated as heat through a built-in resistor or fed back to the grid. Modern drives like the Panasonic MINAS A6 include a regenerative resistor as standard, but for high-inertia loads (e.g., large rotary tables), you may need an external resistor unit to handle the extra energy.

Choosing the Right Resistor
Selecting the correct regenerative resistor prevents overheating and drive faults. Calculate the regeneration power using the motor's kinetic energy formula:E=½×J×ω2

(J = inertia, ω = angular speed). For a Mitsubishi MR-J5 drive powering a 1kW motor, a 100W resistor suffices for intermittent stops, but continuous back-and-forth motion may require 300W or more. Always mount resistors with adequate ventilation.

Practical Benefits
Beyond energy savings, proper regeneration reduces the DC bus voltage spike, protecting the drive's capacitor bank. Yaskawa's Σ-7 series even offers a shared bus option where multiple drives share the regenerated power—ideal for gantry systems with counterbalanced axes. Implementing this correctly extends drive lifespan and lowers your facility's total energy consumption.

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