Basar, Asra P.

BSME-3A

Discuss the classifications of brake system on the basis of power source.

The power source which carries the pedal force applied by the driver on brake pedal to the final
brake drum or brake disc in order to de accelerate or stop the vehicle the braking systems are of 6
types.

1. Mechanical braking system

Mechanical brakes all act by generating frictional forces as two surfaces rub against each other.
The stopping power or capacity of a brake depends largely on the surface area of frictional
surfaces as well as on the actuation force applied. The friction and wear encountered by the
working surfaces are severe. Thus, the durability of a brake or service life between maintenance
depends heavily on the type of material used to line the shoe or pad.
Mechanical brakes are assemblies consisting of mechanical elements for the slowing or stopping
of shafts in equipment drives. They use levers or linkages to transmit force from one point to
another. Braking slows or stops the movement of the coupled shafts.
Types of Brakes:
DISC BRAKE
The disc brake is a device for slowing or stopping the rotation of a wheel while it is in motion. A
brake disc is usually made of cast iron but may in some cases be made of composites such as
reinforced carbon-carbon or ceramic -matrix composites. This is connected to the wheel and/or
the axle. To stop the wheel, friction material in the form of brake pads (mounted on a device
called a brake caliper) is forced hydraulically, pneumatically, or electromagnetically against both
sides of the disc. Friction cause the disc and attached wheel to slow or stop. Brakes convert
motion to heat, and if the brakes get too hot, they become less effective, a phenomenon known as
brake fade.
DRUM BRAKES
A drum brake is a brake in which the friction is caused by a set of shoes or pads that press
against a rotating drum-shaped part called a brake drum.
The term "drum brake" usually means a brake in which shoes press on the inner surface of the
drum. When shoes press on the outside of the drum, it is usually called a clasp brake. Where the
drum is pinched between two shoes, similar to a conventional disk brake, it is sometimes called a
"pinch drum brake", although such brakes are relatively rare. A related type of brake uses a
flexible belt or "band" wrapping around the outside of a drum, called a band brake.

Emergency Brakes
Emergency brakes, also known as parking brakes, are a secondary braking system that work
independent of the service brakes. While there are many different kinds of emergency brakes (a
stick lever between the driver and passenger, a third pedal, a push button or handle near the
steering column, etc.), almost all emergency brakes powered by cables which mechanically
apply pressure to the wheels. They are generally used to keep a vehicle stationary while parked,
but can also be used in emergency situations if the stationary brakes fail.
EXHAUST BRAKING MECHANISM
An exhaust brake works by restricting the flow of exhaust gases through the engine Heavy goods
vehicles can often require increased braking, in situations where friction brakes could overheat
and fail. This is achieved by using an exhaust brake. It achieves this by closing a butterfly valve
located in the exhaust manifold. This maintains high pressures in the exhaust manifold, and the
engine cylinders, which in turn, acts as a brake against the engine rotating. This then slows the
road wheels through the transmission, or power train.

2. Hydraulic braking system

A hydraulic brakes system is a braking mechanism that uses brake fluid to transmit force into the
system. The fluid transfers pressure from the control mechanism to the braking mechanism.
Hydraulic braking systems are widely used in low-speed four-wheelers such as the Tata Ace. It
works with the drum type, while the disc type is used in almost all cars.
In this type of braking system, the mechanical forces transmitted by the driver on the brake pedal
are converted to hydraulic pressure by a device known as a master cylinder (see article on the
master cylinder), and then this hydraulic pressure is sent to the final drum or disc. It goes to stop
or accelerate the caliper vehicle.
The hydraulic brakes are a type of braking system widely used in automobiles with the
application of hydraulic fluid. The working principle of hydraulic braking systems is based
entirely on Pascal’s law, which states that the intensity of pressure inside a system closed by a
liquid is always the same in all directions.
Parts of Hydraulic Braking System:
1. Master Cylinder
It is the main part of the entire assembly. It acts as a hydraulic
actuator with a piston-cylinder arrangement. It is responsible for
converting mechanical force into hydraulic force.
Fluid is compressed and pressurized into the master cylinder as a
brake pedal that is transmitted to the brake assembly via hydraulic
lines.

2. Brake Pedal and Mechanical Linkage

The brake pedal acts as the input of the master cylinder, or we can say that the entire assembly
will start working when the brake pedal is pressed. It is manually pressed when we have to stop
or slow down the running body.
It is connected with a small mechanical contact such as a spring that helps retract the pedal and
further connects to the master cylinder. After the execution of the brake pedal, the master
cylinder comes in handy.

3. Hydraulic/Brake Fluid Reservoir

It is like a small tank for braking fluid. It is directly connected to
the master cylinder for proper handling of hydraulic braking. It is
necessary to maintain the exact amount of braking fluid
throughout the assembly.
Sometimes due to small leaks, the fluid level goes down into the
master cylinder, so a reservoir is needed to maintain the proper
amount of brake fluid in the working operation. Braking fluid
moves from the reservoir to the master cylinder when needed.
4. Hydraulic Lines
Hydraulic lines are the relationships between the various components of
a braking system. Braking fluid passes through these lines from the
master cylinder to the brake.
These are small diameter pipes that replace various types of mechanical
linkage in the case of mechanical brakes.

5. Brake Calipers
In the case of brake brakes, brake calipers are parts of the braking system that performs the
brakes. Inside the brake calipers, pistons are placed, which are responsible for braking. Brake
pads are also attached to pistons.
Calipers are placed on the circumference of the disc. The disc brake is an externally applied
braking system. A disc is placed between the calipers.

6. Drum Cylinder
A drum cylinder is a type of small cylinder that is used in drum
brakes, and the brake is located inside the drum and is connected to
both brake shoes. The drum brake is an internally applied brake.

Working of Hydraulic Braking System:

The work of the hydraulic braking system is very simple. To execute the brakes, we have two
types of components: a disc brake and a drum brake. The initial work is the same for both types,
but the execution technique is different. Disc brakes are externally applied brakes through the
brake calipers and discs, while drum brakes are applied internally through brake shoes and brake
drums.
The working of both the types is as follows:
1. Drum Hydraulic Brake

The following process occurs when the driver applies a brake in a vehicle equipped with
hydraulic brakes mounted on the drum. The speed or activation of the brake pedal causes a
master cylinder to move a rod connected between the pedal and the piston, which in turn pushes
the piston of the master cylinder inside the master cylinder like a medical syringe.
This movement of the pistons inside the master cylinders causes compression of the brake fluid
inside the master cylinder, which in turn converts mechanical energy to hydraulic pressure. This
highly compressed brake fluid from the master cylinders moves inside the brake, and this
hydraulic pressure transfers from the master cylinder to the brake drum.
When this high-pressure brake fluid o enters the wheel cylinder or drum cylinder due to its high
pressure, there is movement in the cylinder piston, which in turn expands the static brake shoe
attached to it.
Due to the expansion of the brake shoe, a friction contact is formed between the brake shoes and
the drum lining (rotating drum part), which in turn converts the kinetic energy of the vehicle into
heat energy & finally braking.
Single-acting drum-type braking – Single-acting drum type hydraulic brakes work exactly as
stated above; this type of braking provides braking force in the single wheel or single pair.
Double Acting Drum Type Braking – High-pressure brake fluid from the master cylinder in
double-acting hydraulic brakes is divided into two directions, i.e., all wheels of bikes and all
wheels of cars, due to the use of tandems master cylinders (article on master cylinder).
 2. Disc Hydraulic Brakes

The process involved is similar to that of a drum when the driver brakes a vehicle equipped with
a disc-type hydraulic brake when the high-pressure brake fluid enters the brake lines but is
slightly different thereafter – High-pressure brake fluid from the brake lines enters the disc
caliper cylinder of the disc brake system.
This high-pressure brake fluid causes motion in the piston of the caliper cylinder, which in turn
causes the speed of the brake pads attached to the piston inside the caliper. Due to this movement
of the brake pads, there is the clamping of the rotating disc rotor, and due to this frictionless
contact between the brake pads and the rotating disc rotor, the kinetic energy of the vehicles are
converted into heat energy, which in turn would be stopped, or de is. Accelerate the vehicle.
Single Acting Disc Type Braking – The function of single-acting disc type hydraulic braking is
exactly the same as mentioned above; this type of braking provides a single braking force in the
single wheel or single pair wheels.
Double-acting disc type braking – In a double-acting disc type hydraulic brake, high-pressure
brake fluid is delivered in 2 directions from the master cylinder, that is, due to the use of tandem
master cylinders in both wheels and bikes in all wheels.

Application of Hydraulic Braking System:

Drum type hydraulic brakes – They are used in some low-speed four-wheel vehicles such as Tata
Ace.
Disc Type Hydraulic Brakes – They are used in almost all cars like Maruti Suzuki Swift,
Hyundai i20, etc., & also in bikes like Bajaj Pulsar 180, KTM Duke 390, etc.
Single-acting hydraulic brake – Pulsar 180 front brakes are of single-acting type.
Dual Acting Hydraulic Brakes – All of the above cars.
3. Air or pneumatic braking system
The pneumatic braking system is one of the types of Automobile Braking System. It is also
known as the Air braking system.
It is Invented by George Westinghouse in the 1860s. In this Braking System, Compressed Air is
used the apply the Brake.
The Brake force produce by the Hydraulic Brake is not sufficient to stop the heavy vehicles.
Therefore, Pneumatic Brake is used in heavy vehicles.
The five Basic components of a Pneumatic or Air brake system are Air Compressor, Storage
Tank/Air Reservoir, Brake Valve, Brake Chamber, Brake Drum.

It consists of the following components:

1) AIR COMPRESSOR:
Compressor works on the engine power. The compressor takes Air from the atmosphere and
compresses it and sends to the Storage tank.

2) AIR FILTER:
Air Filter is used Before the Compressor to remove the Dust particles from the Air, before
entering into the Compressor.
 3) AIR DRYER:
Air Dryer is used Before the Compressor to remove the Moisture from the Air, before entering
into the Compressor. Because Moisture damages the Compressor Blades.
4) STORAGE TANK:
It Stores the Compressed Air receives from the Compressor.

5) SAFETY VALVE / PRESSURE REGULATOR VALVE:

This Valve is used on the Storage Tank to maintain the pressure in inside the tank & removes the
excessive air from the tank.

6) BRAKE VALVE:
It is used to Regulate the Air flow from the Storage Tank to Brake Chamber.
It is control by the Brake Pedal. When Driver presses the brake pedal, Brake Valve Opens,
Therefore Air flows from the Storage Tank to Brake Chamber.
When Driver releases the brake pedal, Brake Valve Closes, Therefore Air Stops to flows from
the Storage Tank to Brake Chamber.

7) BRAKE CHAMBER:
It is consisting of the Diaphragm, Return spring.
The Diaphragm is connected to the push rod & Push Rod is connected to the Lever & Lever is
connected to the cam.
When Driver releases the brake pedal, return spring is keeps the diaphragm in original position.

8) BRAKE DRUM -
It is consisting of the Two Brake shoes, Cam, Return spring
One end of both shoes hinged & other ends is connected to the Cam. Hence when cam rotates,
the brake shoes expand inside the brake drum.
On the outer surface of the brake shoes has friction lining. Therefore, when brake shoes expand,
Due to friction between shoes & brake drum, Wheel stops.
The shoes are connected with the return spring. Therefore, when driver release the clutch pedal,
Shoes are coming to original position due to spring.
How does pneumatic braking system works?
When Brake applies:
1) Compressor takes Air from the atmosphere and compresses it and sends to the Storage tank.
2) When Driver Press the Brake Pedal, Brake Valve opens, therefore flows from the storage tank
to the Brake Chamber.
3) In the Brake Chamber, Air applies the Force on Diaphragm, hence Due to this through push
rod and adjustable lever, Cam Rotates inside the Brake Drum.
4) Therefore, when cam rotates, the brake shoes expand inside the brake drum & Due to friction
between shoes & brake drum, Wheel stops.

When Brake release:

1) When Driver Release the Brake Pedal, Brake Valve Closes.
2) Hence, Air Stops flowing from storage tank to Brake Chamber.
3) Diaphragm comes to original position & through push rod & Adjustable lever; Cam again
Rotates in opposite direction.
Due to Cam movement, Shoes comes to inside. Hence Wheel starts rotating.

Advantages of Pneumatic braking system:

 It is Faster in Operation Than Mechanical & Hydraulic Brake.
 Less Braking Distance & Braking Time.
 It requires less Effort.
Disadvantages of pneumatic braking system:
 It is Noisy Operation.
 Possibility of Air Leakage, which may result in Braking failure.
 It has High Maintenance Cost.
Applications of pneumatic braking system:
It is used in the Heavy-Duty Vehicles, where higher Braking Force requires, such as follows:
 Trucks
  Bus
 Air Brake System in Train.

4. Vacuum braking system

The vacuum brake was, for many years, used in place of the air brake as the standard, fail-safe,
train brake used by railways. Pneumatic braking systems use compressed air as the force used to
push blocks on to wheels. The vacuum brake system is controlled through a brake pipe
connecting a brake valve in the driver's cab with braking equipment on every vehicle. A vacuum
is created in the pipe by an ejector or exhauster.
The ejector removes atmospheric pressure from the brake pipe to create the vacuum using steam
on a steam locomotive, or an exhauster, using electric power on other types of train. With no
vacuum the brake is fully applied. The vacuum in the brake pipe is created and maintained by a
motor-driven exhauster. The exhauster has two speeds, high speed and low speed.
The high speed is switched in to create a vacuum and thus release the brakes. slow speed is used
to keep the vacuum at the required level to maintain brake release. vacuum against small leaks in
the brake pipe is maintained by it.

Principal Parts of the Vacuum Brake System

1)Driver's Brake Valve:

A driver controls the brake using this. It has the following positions: "Release", "Running",
"Lap" and "Brake On”. “Neutral" or "Shut Down" positions are also available which locks the
valve out of use. the "Release" position connects the exhauster to the brake pipe and switches the
exhauster to full speed. This raises the vacuum in the brake pipe as quickly as possible to get a
release. the exhauster keeps running but at its slow speed in the "Running" position.
This ensures that the vacuum is maintained against any small leaks or losses in the brake pipe,
connections and hoses. “Lap" is used to shut off the connection between the exhauster and the
brake pipe to close off the connection to atmosphere after a brake application has been made.
“Brake On" closes off the connection to the exhauster and opens the brake pipe to atmosphere.
2)Exhauster
A two-speed rotary machine fitted to a train to evacuate the atmospheric pressure from the brake
pipe, reservoirs and brake cylinders to affect a brake release.

3)Dummy Coupling:
a dummy coupling point is provided at the ends of each vehicle to allow the ends of the brake
pipe hoses to be sealed when the vehicle is uncoupled.

4)Coupled Hoses:
The brake pipe is carried between adjacent vehicles through flexible hoses.

5)Vacuum Reservoir:
a vacuum reservoir is provided on or connected to the upper side of the piston to ensure there is
always a source of vacuum available to operate the brake.

6)Brake Cylinder (shown in blue):

The movement of the piston contained inside the cylinder operates the brakes through links
called "rigging".

7)Brake Rigging:
the movement of the brake cylinder piston transmits pressure to the brake blocks on each wheel
through this system.

8)Brake Block:
the friction material which is pressed against the surface of the wheel tread by the upward
movement of the brake cylinder piston.
9)Ball Valve:
The ball valve is needed to ensure that the vacuum in the vacuum reservoir is maintained at the
required level, i.e., the same as the brake pipe, during brake release but that the connection to the
brake pipe is closed during a brake application.
5. Magnetic braking system
Electromagnetic brakes are also called electro-mechanical brakes or EM brakes. They slow or
stop motion using electromagnetic force to apply mechanical resistance, or friction. An electrical
current goes through a coil on the brakes to create a magnetic field strong enough to move an
armature on or off a magnetic face. They are not to be confused with eddy current brakes, which
use the direct application of magnetic force to create resistance. Since gaining common-use in
the mid-20th century, especially in trains and trams, various applications and brake designs have
increased dramatically, but the basic operation remains the same. This article will explain the
history of electromagnetic brakes, including their history, how they work, and the different types,
as well as how they differ from eddy current brakes.

How Electromagnetic Brakes Work

The principle of braking involves the conversion of kinetic energy into thermal energy. When
activating the brakes, a stopping force several times as powerful as the force that puts the car or
vehicle in motion is activated and dissipates the associated kinetic energy as heat. Brakes arrest
the speed in a short period regardless of how fast the vehicle is going.
An electromagnetic brake uses an electric actuation but transmits torque mechanically. When the
brake receives voltage or current, the coil is energized, creating a magnetic field. This field turns
the coil into an electromagnet that creates magnetic lines of flux. The magnetic flux attracts the
armature. The armature and hub usually are mounted on the rotating shaft. The coil's attraction to
the armature and hub brings the shaft to a stop in a short amount of time.
When the brake no longer receives the current, the armature can then turn with the shaft. In most
types of electromagnetic brakes, springs hold the armature away from the braking surface when
power is released, creating a small air gap.

Types of Electromagnetic Brakes

There are many types of electromagnetic brakes. The most widely used type is the single face
design. Since electromagnetic brakes started becoming popular, the variety of applications and
brake designs has increased dramatically.
Single Face Brake
Single face brakes use a single plate surface's friction to engage the clutch's input and output
members. Single face electromagnetic brakes make up about 80% of all of the power applied
brakes

Power Off Brake

Power-off brakes stop or hold a load when electrical power is disconnected, either accidentally
or intentionally. They are generally used on or near an electric motor. They may use multiple
disks to increase torque without increasing the brake’s diameter. There are two main types of
power-off brakes.
Firstly, there are spring-applied brakes. Without any applied electricity, a spring pushes against a
pressure plate, keeping between the inner pressure plate and the outer cover plate the friction
disk. The friction generated is transferred to the hub, which is mounted to a shaft. This type of
brake often will have some backlash, so it’s better for less exact applications where exact
response time is not vital.
The second type of power-off brake is the permanent magnet brake. This type uses permanent
magnets to attract the armature via springs. When the brake is engaged, the permanent magnets
generate lines of magnetic flux, which can, in turn, attract the armature to the brake housing.
Power is applied to the coil to disengage the brake and create an air gap, which sets up an
alternate magnetic field that cancels out the permanent magnets' magnetic flux. Because this type
of electromagnetic brake has zero backlash, it’s better used for applications that require exact
stopping, such as safety features. Zero backlash means that the brake will stop exactly when it’s
applied.

Hysteresis Power Brake

Electrical hysteresis units have an extensive torque range. They can be controlled remotely,
making them ideal for test stand applications where varying torque is required. Since drag torque
is minimal, these types of brakes offer a broad torque range. When electricity is applied to the
field, it creates an internal magnetic flux, which is then transferred into a hysteresis disk. The
hysteresis disk is attached to the brake shaft. A magnetic drag on the hysteresis disk causes a
constant drag or eventual stoppage of the output shaft. The hysteresis disk is free to turn once the
electricity is removed, and no relative force is transmitted between either member. Then, the
only torque between the input and the output is bearing drag.

Particle Brake
Magnetic particle brakes have a wide available operating torque range. With a magnetic particle
brake, torque can be controlled very accurately (within the unit's operating RPM range). This
makes these units ideal for tension control applications, such as wire winding, foil, film, and tape
tension control. Their fast response can also be used in high-cycle applications, such as magnetic
card readers, sorting machines, and labeling equipment.

This electromagnetic brake contains a powder cavity with magnetic particles. When electricity is
applied to the coil, the subsequent flux tries to bind the particles together to create a kind of
magnetic particle slush. The binding of the particles becomes stronger as the electricity
increases. The brake rotor passes through these bound particles, which create a resistant force
that slows and eventually stops the output shaft.

6. Electric braking system

Electric Braking:
If the load is removed from an electric motor and supply to it be disconnected, it will continue to
run for some time due to inertia. The time elapsing before it stops will be especially long if the
motor is massive and has run at high speed.
It is essential, however, in many cases that the motor and its driven machine be stopped quickly
(in machine tools, cranes, hoists etc.). In fact, quick stopping of a motor is more essential than
quick starting. Delay in starting up a motor only causes the machinery to stand idle; a delay in
stopping a motor may result in heavy damage to equipment or to the manufactured products and
even the loss of human life.
Based on the purpose for which braking is employed, it is of the two types, viz, braking while
bringing the drive to rest and braking while lowering loads. In the first type, the device employed
for braking absorbs the kinetic energy of the moving parts while in the second one, it absorbs, in
addition to the kinetic energy, potential energy, usually gravitational which can drive the system
at an excessively high speed.

Braking, while stopping, may be used for any one of the following objectives:
(i) Reducing the time taken to stop.
(ii) Stopping exactly at specified points, for example in lifts; sometimes such precise stops are
necessary for reasons of safety.
(iii) Feeding back, atleast a portion of the power, to the supply system.

Braking, while lowering loads, may be employed for any of the following purposes:
(i) Controlling the speed at which the load comes down and limiting it to a safe value.
(ii) Feeding power back to the supply system.

The main features of a satisfactory brake are that:

(i) The braking should be quick and reliable in action,
(ii) The braking torque must be controllable,
(iii) Some suitable means must be provided for dissipation of kinetic energy of the moving parts
of the motor and its driven machines and
(iv) Failure of any part of the braking system must result in application of brakes.

Braking torque can be applied either by mechanical (or friction) brakes or electrodynamically. In
mechanical braking, the stored energy of rotating parts is dissipated in the form of heat by a
brake shoe or band rubbing on a wheel or a brake drum. In electrical (or electrodynamic) braking
the stored energy of rotating parts is converted into electrical energy and dissipated in the
resistance in the form of heat or returned to the supply. Here we will deal with electric (or
electrodynamic) braking only.

Types of Electric Braking:

There are three types of electric braking, all of which are applicable to the usual types of electric
motors, viz. plugging (or counter-current braking), dynamic (or rheostatic) braking and
regenerative braking.

1. Plugging or Counter-Current Braking:

This is the simplest type of braking. Plugging or counter-current braking occurs when the motor
windings are connected for reverse direction of rotation at a time when the armature is still
rotating in the forward direction either under the action of an external torque or due to inertia.
Plugging involves reconnection of power supply to the motor so that it tends to drive in the
opposite direction. It is obvious that, left to itself, the system will come to rest and then
accelerate in the reverse direction. In case, it is required to bring the drive system to rest, it is
necessary to include a special device to cut off the supply exactly at the instant when the motor
stops.
During the braking period, the energy is drawn from the supply. The energy drawn from the
supply and stored or kinetic energy of the rotating parts of motor and its driven machines are
dissipated in the series current limiting resistor. Thus, this method is wasteful of energy. Other
drawbacks of this method of electric braking are the shock caused to the motor and equipment
and heavy inrush of current at the time of braking.
This method provides greater braking torque than that provided by rheostatic (or dynamic)
braking. This method is used to get either a quick reversal or to get a rapid stop. This method is
commonly used in controlling rolling mills, elevators, printing presses, machine tools etc.
This method can be applied to direct current, alternating current induction and synchronous
motors.

2. Dynamic (or Rheostatic) Braking:

In this method of braking the motor is disconnected from the supply and operated as a generator
driven by the kinetic energy of the rotating parts of the motor and its driven machines. Thus the
kinetic energy of rotation is converted into electrical energy, which is dissipated in the external
resistance connected across the motor at the braking instant. By this method, energy required
from the supply to brake the motor, has been eliminated as compared to the previous method
(plugging) and this is marked advantage. This method of braking can be applied to brake the
direct current motors, synchronous motors, and induction motors (with a separate source of dc
excitation during braking).

3. Regenerative Braking:
In the previous two methods of electric braking namely plugging and rheostatic braking stored
energy of the rotating parts of the motor and its driven machine is wasted whilst in plugging
extra energy is drawn during the braking period and is wasted. In regenerative braking,
mechanical energy is converted into electrical energy, part of which is returned to the supply and
the rest of the energy is lost as heat in the windings and the bearings of the electrical machines.
Regeneration does not, in general, involve any switching operation, unless it is required to
change the speed at which it becomes effective. Most of the electrical machines pass smoothly
from motoring to generating operation, when overdriven by load.

For regenerative braking it is necessary for:

(i) Supply voltage to drop,
(ii) The motor to be overexcited or
(iii) The motor to be running at a speed higher than no-load speed.
In all of these cases the armature current is reversed and a retarding torque is produced, slowing
down the motor until the back emf of the armature becomes equal to the supply voltage.
Regenerative braking will not stop the motor. It is effective only for braking hauling loads. They
may occur in a crane motor due to action of the lowering load or in the motor of an electric
locomotive moving down grade.

Advantages of Electric Braking:

(i) Since mechanical braking, due to excessive wear on the brake blocks or brake lining, needs
frequent and costly replacement but no such replacement is required in electric braking, hence
there is saving on this account.
(ii) Frequent adjustments are required to compensate for the wear in mechanical braking thereby
making maintenance costly. In electric braking there is no cost by way of maintenance of the
brake shoes or lining.
(iii) By employing electric braking the capacity of the system can be increased by way of higher
speeds and haulage of heavy loads.
(iv) In some cases of electric braking, a part of energy is returned to the supply thereby affecting
a considerable saving in the operating cost. This is not possible with mechanical braking.
(v) In electric braking, heat product, in no way, is harmful to the braking system where as in
mechanical braking heat is produced at brake blocks or brake lining which may result in failure
of brake.
(vi) Mechanical braking produces metal dust which, if finds ingress to bearings, will cause over-
wearing of the bearings. No such dust is produced in electric braking.
(vii) Incorrect adjustment of mechanical brakes may result in very harsh and sudden braking
being applied which may produce shock loading of ropes and mechanical parts or in case of
passenger lifts and trains it may result in the discomfort to the occupants. Electric braking on the
other hand is smooth and without shock.

Disadvantages and Limitations of Electric Braking:

(i) In electric braking, the driving motor operates as a generator during the period of braking, and
motor ceases to operate as a generator at standstill so that although an electric brake can almost
stop a machine or load, but it cannot hold it stationary, therefore, a friction brake is required in
addition.
(ii) Since the motor has to function as a generator during the braking period, therefore, it must
have suitable braking characteristics i.e., choice of motor is limited.
(iii) Additional complications, high initial cost, special motors capable of generating electrical
energy make electric braking costly.

Economic considerations have a considerable bearing on the use of electric braking.