Editing Dynamic braking (section)

{{Short description|Use of the traction motors as generators when slowing a vehicle}}{{Single source|date=September 2023}}[[File:NSLocoNo.5348.jpg|thumb|[[Norfolk Southern]] 5348 diesel-electric locomotive employs dynamic braking. The cooling grill for the brake grid resistors is at the top center of the locomotive.]]

'''Dynamic braking''' is the use of an electric [[traction motor]] as a [[Electric generator|generator]] when slowing a vehicle such as an [[electric locomotive|electric]] or [[diesel locomotive|diesel-electric]] [[locomotive]]. It is termed "[[Resistor#Adjustable resistors|rheostatic]]" if the generated electrical power is dissipated as heat in brake grid [[resistor]]s, and "[[regenerative brake|regenerative]]" if the power is returned to the supply line. Dynamic braking reduces wear on [[friction]]-based braking components, and regeneration lowers net energy consumption. Dynamic braking may also be used on [[railcar]]s with [[multiple unit]]s, [[light rail vehicle]]s, [[tram|electric tram]]s, [[trolleybus]]es, and [[electric automobile|electric]] and [[hybrid electric automobile]]s.