The key difference is what the brake does when its coil loses power. A spring-applied brake uses spring force to engage when de-energized and electromagnetic force to release; a power-on brake engages when its coil is energized and releases when power is removed. Choose between them based first on the required power-loss behavior, then verify the brake’s duty, torque, fit, electrical requirements, and safety role.
How do the two brake types work?
Spring-applied, power-off brakes
Springs press the armature and friction surfaces together, creating braking force without coil current. In a tooth-brake design, the springs engage teeth instead. Energizing the coil with its specified supply creates a magnetic field that pulls the armature away and releases the brake. Lenze describes braking torque as available with no current flowing, including in the event of mains failure or a broken cable: Lenze’s spring-applied brake overview.
Manufacturers may call this arrangement spring-applied, spring-operated, spring-loaded, spring-set, power-off, or fail-safe. The terms point to a similar default behavior, but confirm the actual energized and de-energized states in the specific brake’s documentation. SEPAC, for example, lists friction and tooth-type designs in its own range; that is a vendor’s product grouping, not a universal classification: SEPAC’s electromagnetic-brake overview.
Power-on, magnetically applied brakes
In a power-on brake, energizing the coil produces a magnetic field that draws an armature into contact with a friction plate or interlocking teeth, generating braking torque. Removing coil power releases the brake. Its default behavior is therefore the opposite of a spring-applied brake. Electromate describes examples such as controlled-cycle dynamic stopping, horizontal axes, and clutch/brake packages, while cautioning against using this type where the brake must retain a load through power loss: Electromate’s power-on brake overview.
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What happens when electrical power is lost?
| Brake type | Coil energized | Coil de-energized or power lost | Selection implication |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring-applied, power-off | Magnetic force releases the brake | Spring force applies the brake | Relevant when the brake itself must default to holding or braking |
| Power-on, magnetically applied | Magnetic force applies the brake | The brake releases | Use only when release on power loss is acceptable for the application |
“Fail-safe” in this context describes a brake’s power-off mechanical behavior; it does not establish that a complete machine is safe. SEW-EURODRIVE says the system manufacturer is primarily responsible for designing a safety concept that meets applicable requirements. The brake must still be selected, integrated, and validated for the actual load, fault conditions, and stopping performance: SEW-EURODRIVE project-planning guidance, Edition 04/2026.
Holding a load is not the same as stopping motion
A holding brake resists movement once a load is stationary. A dynamic stop must absorb the moving system’s energy as it decelerates, which adds thermal demand at the friction surfaces. Siemens warns that its holding brake is not a working brake for braking a rotating motor: Siemens Motion Control D 41 catalog (published 2017, updated April 2018).
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For repeated or emergency dynamic stops, check the selected brake’s allowable stop energy, frequency or consecutive-stop limits, and thermal ratings in its current documentation. Do not choose solely by comparing nominal holding torque with load torque. Electromate’s technical discussion of the thermal difference is available at Spring Applied vs. Power On Brakes.
How should you choose a brake?
Start with the required default state, then check the application and the exact model rather than relying on the type name alone.
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- Superior Performance: Offers excellent braking performance with 24V DC power. Features thermal and overload protection for added safety and reliable operation in diverse applications.
- Versatile Design: Can be easily integrated into conveyor systems, printing presses, packaging equipment, etc. Thanks to its adaptable design, it suits multiple industrial machinery needs.
- Dependable Braking: Engages automatically when power is interrupted or switched off, providing a reliable braking mechanism for enhanced safety.
- Compact Size: Designed with a small footprint, allowing for easy installation into various systems without taking up excessive space.
- Low Maintenance: Due to its simple and robust design, this power - off brake requires minimal maintenance, saving you time and costs in the long run.
- Power-loss behavior: Must the brake apply or hold when electrical power disappears, or is release acceptable?
- Duty: Is the job static holding at zero speed, occasional emergency stopping, or repeated dynamic braking? Confirm that the brake is rated for the actual duty.
- Torque: Establish the load torque and required margin, then verify the model’s rated torque under the real mounting and operating conditions.
- Mechanical fit: Check shaft or bore dimensions, mounting pattern, axial and radial envelope, hub or coupling, and whether a manual release is needed.
- Electrical fit: Confirm coil voltage, current, supply or rectification arrangement, and how the control system energizes and releases the brake.
- Thermal and environmental fit: Assess stop energy and frequency, ambient and coil temperatures, contamination, moisture, and enclosure requirements.
These factors vary by model. Siemens’ catalog gives model-specific holding torque, while NORD’s FDB manual describes construction and manual-release details. Check the applicable current manufacturer datasheet and instructions for torque ratings, mounting geometry, allowable air gap, wear limits, coil requirements, and adjustment procedures rather than transferring values from another brake.
What about manual release?
A manual release is model-dependent, not a feature to assume. NORD’s FDB manual describes a mechanism that mechanically pulls the armature to release the rotor and cautions against changing the manual-release adjustment for safety reasons. Use and maintain any manual release only as the manufacturer instructs: NORD FDB installation manual (2011).
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- Dependable Braking: Engages automatically when power is interrupted or switched off, providing a reliable braking mechanism for enhanced safety
- Compact Size: Designed with a small footprint, allowing for easy installation into various systems without taking up excessive space
- Low Maintenance: Due to its simple and robust design, this power - off brake requires minimal maintenance, saving you time and costs in the long run
- Applications: Can be easily integrated into conveyor systems, printing presses, packaging equipment, etc
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Where are these brakes used?
Spring-applied brakes are used in applications such as industrial automation, machine tools, material handling, packaging equipment, hoists, cranes, and vertical axes. Lenze identifies these areas for its product family; the common consideration is whether the brake should hold or apply when electrical power is absent. Power-on brakes may suit controlled-cycle dynamic stopping, horizontal axes, or clutch/brake assemblies, but these examples are not blanket recommendations. Assess gravity-loaded or hazardous motion separately and verify the chosen brake’s ratings and the machine’s safety design.
Quick Recap
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- Part Name: Brake kit
- Part Number: 7024772
- Compatibility: Used for JLG SCISSOR LIFT Models 1230ES, 1930ES, 2030ES, 2630ES, 2646ES, 3246ES, 2032ES and 2632ES.
- Rated Voltage: 24V
- Description: Brake actuator kit, electromagnetic
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