Remstroom

Remstroom is the electrical current produced when an electric traction motor operates as a generator during braking. In rail and other electric vehicle systems, this braking current represents the energy that is generated from the vehicle’s kinetic energy to slow it down.

When braking, the drive machine acts as a generator, delivering electrical power to the traction power system. How the remstroom is handled depends on the infrastructure: in rheostatic or dissipative braking, the energy is converted into heat in braking resistors; in regenerative braking, the energy is returned to the electrical network through converters, potentially powering other vehicles or being stored for later use.

The magnitude and control of remstroom depend on factors such as vehicle speed, braking torque, and the electrical ratings of the drive equipment. The braking current is limited and managed by the traction inverter or converter, and is coordinated with other braking systems to ensure safe and reliable operation. Protective devices and energy management systems monitor the current to prevent disturbances to the power network and to optimize energy use.

Applications of remstroom are common in electric trains, trams, and metros, where braking energy can reduce wear on friction brakes and improve overall efficiency. The approach to handling remstroom—dissipation through resistors or recovery to the grid—depends on technical, economic, and regulatory factors, and it requires appropriate infrastructure and control strategies to integrate with the broader electrical system.