Differentiate how hydraulic and electromagnetic brakes work now!

Everything you need to know about hydraulic and electromagnetic brakes, their advantages and their advantages.

Brakes in cars and other types of engines are essential for its smooth operation. Knowing what kind of brake your vehicle has, will enable you to determine the right way of handling it or fixing it once it breaks.

Brakes in cars and other types of engines are essential for its smooth operation

Moreover, it lessens the occurrence of accidents caused by broken brakes. This article from Philkotse.com will give you helpful information about hydraulic and electromagnetic brakes for your reference.

To quickly grasp the concept, we will first discuss hydraulic brakes separately.

What is the hydraulic brake?

The hydraulic brake is a braking system used in cars that requires a special kind of liquid to slow down or to bring the vehicle into a halt.

The hydraulic brake is a braking system that requires a special kind of liquid to slow down

>>> Find more: 4 rules that every Filipino driver should know about braking

What are the parts of a hydraulic braking system?

These are the typical components included in a conventional hydraulic braking system:

Components	Function
Brake pedal	Where the driver extends his foot to exert mechanical force into the pushrod
Push Rod	This continues the transferring of the mechanical force to the servo and then to the master cylinder
Servo	Called the vacuum booster helps the driver in supplying extra power to the system
Master Cylinder	The pistons, seals, and springs inside the master cylinder enables the non-hydraulic force applied by the foot extended by the driver on the brake pedal to be transformed into hydraulic force and eventually aids in creating pressure for the force to be transported to the hydraulic lines
Reservoir	It holds sufficient fluids to prevent air from entering the brake system
Hydraulic Lines	Serves as the carrier of the hydraulic liquids to the front and rear brakes
Wheel brakes	Mounted in the interior part of the wheel that contains a wheel drum. The wheel drum does not rotate, and when it collides with the shoes, it brings the car into a halt by friction

The different parts of the hydraulic braking system

>>> More to read: How to use your car brakes properly

How does the hydraulic braking system work?

By pressing the brake pedal, the mechanical force exerted here is then transferred to the pushrod and into the servo. The servo applies additional power to the master cylinder to supply a sufficient amount of pressure to carry the hydraulic liquids to hydraulic lines.

The hydraulic fluids that travel from the hydraulic lines will then reach the brakes of the car that creates friction through the wheel brakes, thus, causing the vehicle to stop.

By pressing the brake pedal, the mechanical force exerted here is then transferred to the pushrod and into the servo

When the foot on the brake pedal is released, an opposite action is conducted. The hydraulic fluids in the hydraulic line will be reduced, and it will go back to its original position because less force is exerted to the master cylinder. By releasing the brake pedal, it will result in the car to continue its motion.

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What are the advantages and disadvantages of the hydraulic braking system?

Advantages	Disadvantages
The pressure being transmitted is uniform. This is best explained by Pascal Law, which states that hydrostatic pressure is equal in all directions. Using this type of brake aids the driver to multiply the force exerted exponentially than that of mechanical brakes. During high-speed braking, the brake fluids serve as a lubricant and decrease the frictional losses. Assembling it is simpler and weighs lighter too. Compared to mechanical brakes, the thermal stresses produced by hydraulic brakes are lesser. It is wear-resistant, thus, enhances the function of hydraulic brakes.	The possibility of fluid leakage can affect the operation of the braking system and reduce the friction needed. The unsuccessful pressure transmission due to the gas bubbles formation caused by the boiling of fluid due to overheating is to be considered as a disadvantage. Moreover, environmental factors also affect the hydraulic braking system, such as moisture that may cause corrosion that may lead to system failure.

Advantages

Disadvantages

The pressure being transmitted is uniform. This is best explained by Pascal Law, which states that hydrostatic pressure is equal in all directions.
Using this type of brake aids the driver to multiply the force exerted exponentially than that of mechanical brakes.
During high-speed braking, the brake fluids serve as a lubricant and decrease the frictional losses.
Assembling it is simpler and weighs lighter too.
Compared to mechanical brakes, the thermal stresses produced by hydraulic brakes are lesser.
It is wear-resistant, thus, enhances the function of hydraulic brakes.

The possibility of fluid leakage can affect the operation of the braking system and reduce the friction needed.
The unsuccessful pressure transmission due to the gas bubbles formation caused by the boiling of fluid due to overheating is to be considered as a disadvantage.
Moreover, environmental factors also affect the hydraulic braking system, such as moisture that may cause corrosion that may lead to system failure.

What are electromagnetic brakes?

Electromagnetic brakes are the mechanical portion to stop or at least slow the rotary motion. It requires electric power to work. Hence, it is known as a power-on brake.

It is usually used in packaging and food-processing machinery, medical equipment, servo motors and robotics, elevators, and escalators. However, today it is also employed in cars.

Electromagnetic brakes are the mechanical portion to stop or at least slow the rotary motion

What are the components of the electromagnetic braking system?

Components	Function
Stator	where the coil is built that becomes magnetic and eventually produces a magnetic force
Lining	the part that covers the inner surface of a particular material
Armature	where the stator is pulled due to the electromagnetic force
Plate Spring	placed between the armature and armature hub
Armature hub	it is attached to the axis and rotates together with the axis when the power is off

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How does electromagnetic brake work?

When the power is off, the axis attached to the armature hub together with the armature is rotating freely. The stator generates a magnetic force once the electric power is on.

Due to the magnetic force produced, the armature that rotates with the axis is being pulled to the stator. The rotary motion is brought to a halt because of the brake torque created by the friction between the stator and armature.

Due to the magnetic force produced, the armature that rotates with the axis is being pulled to the stator

Advantages and disadvantages of Electromagnetic Braking System

Electromagnetic brakes have their fair share of advantages and disadvantages. Those are:

Advantages	Disadvantages
Compared to hydraulic brakes, the EMB system does not need hydraulic fluids. Easier construction and lesser harm to the environment are brought. Due to its electrical operations, installation to machines is more straightforward and removes the complexity of fitting and checking of brakes. It does not require additional components like brake servo and master cylinder; thus, it occupies less space that enables for better packaging and safety measures. A peaceful operation is observed because it does work with fewer parts.	Although it operates with lesser components, it comprises circuits arranged in a complicated way, which makes the electrical system expensive. It does not assure a hundred percent safety. Because of the complexity of the circuits, it may cause harm or, worse, failure to the braking system.

Advantages

Disadvantages

Compared to hydraulic brakes, the EMB system does not need hydraulic fluids.
Easier construction and lesser harm to the environment are brought.
Due to its electrical operations, installation to machines is more straightforward and removes the complexity of fitting and checking of brakes.
It does not require additional components like brake servo and master cylinder; thus, it occupies less space that enables for better packaging and safety measures.
A peaceful operation is observed because it does work with fewer parts.

Although it operates with lesser components, it comprises circuits arranged in a complicated way, which makes the electrical system expensive.
It does not assure a hundred percent safety. Because of the complexity of the circuits, it may cause harm or, worse, failure to the braking system.

Hydraulic and electromagnetic brakes

Hanna Sanchez

Author

Hanna is one of the most competitive swimmers in the country during her day. It was not long before she discovered her passion for the automotive industry as well. Nowadays, she balances her passion through writing as well as coaching.