# How does the z-axis break work? **URL:** \ **Category:** General Chat\ **Tags:** z-axis\ **Created:** [February 12, 2026, 4:59pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/how-does-the-z-axis-break-work/5754 "2026-02-12T16:59:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JeffsDesign](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.avidcnc.com/jeffsdesign/32/5574_2.png) [@JeffsDesign](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/JeffsDesign)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2026, 4:59pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/how-does-the-z-axis-break-work/5754/1 "2026-02-12T16:59:26Z")
I’m having a problem with this break I believe I put in a ticket but while I’m waiting patiently for a response I wanted to get a better understanding of how this works. Basically with mine when I go up or down it gets stuck so I do get a little movement and then it gets stuck like the break releases and then closes before it finishes its move. After that move I’ll get a 9031 fault and I’ll have to reset I think that part of it is working the way it should ---
**Author:** ![Eric](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.avidcnc.com/eric/32/3220_2.png) [@Eric](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/Eric)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2026, 6:12pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/how-does-the-z-axis-break-work/5754/2 "2026-02-12T18:12:02Z")
The brake is on all the time unless it gets power from the controller, then it disengages. It only disengages on the first Z axis move after a reset/power-up. You can tell it’s disengaged by hearing a distinct metal “tink” sound. On servos the Z axis can overpower the brake, but you’ll often get drive faults because of the drag. ---
**Author:** ![JeffsDesign](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.avidcnc.com/jeffsdesign/32/5574_2.png) [@JeffsDesign](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/JeffsDesign)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2026, 6:41pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/how-does-the-z-axis-break-work/5754/3 "2026-02-12T18:41:29Z")
Yes the one thing I’m missing is the tink sound so I’ll let them know about that ---
**Author:** ![jmd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f1d935/32.png) [@jmd](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/jmd)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2026, 4:31pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/how-does-the-z-axis-break-work/5754/4 "2026-02-14T16:31:11Z")
Perhaps you could measure voltage across the brake and make sure it’s being actuated? You can also apply voltage directly to the brake to make sure it’s deactivating right. You’ll know whether it’s the brake itself or something in your wiring or controls. ---
**Author:** ![JeffsDesign](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.avidcnc.com/jeffsdesign/32/5574_2.png) [@JeffsDesign](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/JeffsDesign)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2026, 5:01pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/how-does-the-z-axis-break-work/5754/5 "2026-02-14T17:01:29Z")
Yes the weather is nice in the CLE and I’ll be out in the shop today. There’s actually three things I want to do today I want to check the control box make sure there’s isn’t any loose connections check the brake wire and see if there’s a problem with that and finally check for voltage at the top of the Z if the wire is good 😊 ---
**Author:** ![JeffsDesign](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.avidcnc.com/jeffsdesign/32/5574_2.png) [@JeffsDesign](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/JeffsDesign)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2026, 7:26pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/how-does-the-z-axis-break-work/5754/6 "2026-02-14T19:26:19Z")
Okay control box wiring looks good solid they did a nice job in there. Cable is good. Power to the top of the Z is good. The thing now is to figure out what’s causing the break not to release you guys have any ideas!!? I do have a ticket in to support but they must be pretty busy over there because I haven’t heard a peep from them.. ---
**Author:** ![Eric](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.avidcnc.com/eric/32/3220_2.png) [@Eric](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/Eric)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2026, 4:09am UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/how-does-the-z-axis-break-work/5754/7 "2026-02-15T04:09:47Z")
> [@JeffsDesign](#): > > I do have a ticket in to support but they must be pretty busy over there because I haven’t heard a peep from them.. We’re down a few people, but luckily we just brought a new person on. I don’t at all mind folks troubleshooting here (that’s a big part of why we have this forum!) but for you @JeffsDesign and anyone else reading: If you do get a response back from support do them a favor and link a thread here where you were talking about your problem. It helps a lot with context and not having crossed lines of communication. Jeff, you can look up the brake retrofit on our support site (not all Z axes come with the brake, some need to add them in field, especially on servo upgrades) that will show you were the wires go in the Z axis if you want to do a little more digging. ---
**Author:** ![JeffsDesign](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.avidcnc.com/jeffsdesign/32/5574_2.png) [@JeffsDesign](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/JeffsDesign)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2026, 5:32am UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/how-does-the-z-axis-break-work/5754/8 "2026-02-15T05:32:41Z")
Thanks Eric it’s been a little frustrating but I am learning a lot That’s a good thing!! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![JeffsDesign](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.avidcnc.com/jeffsdesign/32/5574_2.png) [@JeffsDesign](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/JeffsDesign)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2026, 10:28pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/how-does-the-z-axis-break-work/5754/9 "2026-02-16T22:28:48Z")
Quick update! Everything is running buttery smooth….😁 Thank you all for the help! ---
**Author:** ![Eric](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.avidcnc.com/eric/32/3220_2.png) [@Eric](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/Eric)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2026, 10:31pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/how-does-the-z-axis-break-work/5754/10 "2026-02-16T22:31:20Z")
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