What is a Power Brake System?

There was a time when drivers had to apply a significant physical effort to apply brakes in their cars. With the advent of power brakes, this physical effort was converted into comfort, effectiveness, and ease. Power brakes were designed with an idea to provide enhanced driving experience to the drivers. In this article, we will understand the importance of power brakes. We will also know about the different types of power brakes, their working, advantages, and limitations. 

What are Power brakes?

Before we move ahead, let’s understand what power brakes are. Everyone knows that brakes are used to slow down or stop the vehicle. Power brakes, unlike manual brakes, work on a power-assist mechanism to stop the vehicle. Now this mechanism works by increasing the force transmitted to the brake pedal, which eventually stops the vehicle. This significantly reduced the physical effort applied by the driver, thus making the braking application smoother. 

How Do Power Brakes Work?

Understanding the working of power brakes will help you in effective maintenance of your vehicle. Here is an overview of the process: 

• When you start the engine, a vacuum pressure is created in the inlet manifold which is connected to the brake booster. 

• The brake booster which is located between the master cylinder and the brake pedal acts as a storage for this vacuum pressure. 

• When the brake pedal is pressed, a valve inside the booster gets opened leading the way for the vacuum which further pulls the diaphragm. 

• This increases the force applied by you on the brake pedal and helps in smooth stopping of the vehicle. 

Types of Power Brakes in Cars

Power brakes are available in various types based on their operational mechanism. The common ones are:

Advantages and Disadvantages of Power Brakes

Power brakes come with certain advantages and disadvantages. Some of these are mentioned below: 

Advantages

• Power brakes significantly reduce the physical effort applied by the driver so they are convenient to use.

• The braking application is smooth in case of power brakes. 

• Due to their consistent and reliable mechanism, they provide better safety than manual brakes.  

Disadvantages 

• They are costlier than the manual brake system.

• They are complex in nature and may require frequent maintenance due to wear and tear. 

• Hydraulic assisted power brakes have a common problem of fluid leakage. This can affect the brake performance.

FAQs

Q: Can power brakes fail?
A: Yes, power brakes can fail, but there are certain reasons for it. The power brakes can fail if there is some issue with their operating system which can be hydraulic, vacuum based or electrical depending upon your vehicle. They can also fail if there is any wear and tear of the components. Therefore, it is advised that you should keep your car in good condition.

Q: What is the difference between power brakes and ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)?
A: Power brakes help in reducing the effort by the driver which is  needed to apply the brakes. The anti-lock braking system, as the name suggests, prevents the wheels from locking up in case of hard braking. 

Q: What are the signs of power brakes not working properly ?
A: Signs of the power brakes not working properly may include a hard brake pedal, longer stopping distances, or a noise coming out while pressing the brake pedal. You need to take it to some professional in case you find any of these signs.