Air Brake Course

Lesson 1 • Physics of Compressed Air

Covers pressure, volume, and flow concepts that govern air brake operation. Establishes the physical principles all subsequent system analysis depends on.

Lesson 2 • Air Brake System Overview

Introduces the complete system layout from compressor to brake chamber. Learners trace airflow paths and identify each subsystem's function.

Lesson 3 • Key Components Identification

Examines each major component by name, location, and purpose. Provides the vocabulary needed for inspection, fault finding, and regulatory compliance.

Lesson 1 • Reservoirs and Safety Valves

Describes wet tank, primary, and secondary reservoir roles in storing and protecting air supply. Learners calculate reserve capacity and test safety valve function.

Lesson 2 • Compressor Operation and Types

Details single-stage and two-stage compressor designs and their drive mechanisms. Connects compressor output capacity to system pressure maintenance.

Lesson 3 • Governor and Pressure Regulation

Explains how the governor controls compressor cut-in and cut-out pressure. Learners identify correct pressure bands and diagnose governor faults.

Lesson 4 • Air Dryers and Moisture Control

Covers desiccant and refrigerant dryer designs and their role in preventing moisture damage. Links moisture contamination to valve freeze-up and corrosion failures.

Lesson 1 • Foot Valve and Treadle Operation

Explains how the dual-circuit foot valve modulates air delivery proportional to pedal force. Dual-circuit design is linked to fail-safe braking capability.

Lesson 2 • Slack Adjusters and Pushrod Travel

Covers manual and automatic slack adjuster function in maintaining correct pushrod stroke. Excessive stroke is identified as a primary out-of-service condition.

Lesson 3 • Foundation Brake Assemblies

Examines S-cam, wedge, and disc foundation brake designs and their mechanical advantage. Learners match foundation brake type to vehicle application and load.

Lesson 4 • Relay Valves and Quick-Release Valves

Covers relay valves that speed application and release on long air lines. Learners distinguish relay valve from quick-release valve applications.

Lesson 1 • Emergency Brake Function

Explains how spring brakes serve as emergency brakes during air system failure. Learners identify pressure thresholds that trigger automatic application.

Lesson 2 • Combination Chamber Inspection

Covers inspection points for piggyback spring-service combination chambers. Learners identify corrosion, seal failure, and clamp ring defects.

Lesson 3 • Spring Brake Caging and Release

Details the mechanical caging procedure required before towing or servicing spring brakes. Incorrect caging is linked to serious injury risk.

Lesson 4 • Spring Brake Fundamentals

Introduces the power spring concept and how air pressure holds brakes released. Learners explain why spring brakes apply on air loss.

Lesson 1 • Multi-Trailer and Converter Dolly

Extends coupling knowledge to B-train and A-train configurations with converter dollies. Learners identify additional valves and air line routing for doubles.

Lesson 2 • Brake Balance in Combinations

Addresses timing and force balance between tractor and trailer brakes to prevent jackknifing. Learners adjust trailer brake timing using the hand valve.

Lesson 3 • Glad Hands and Air Line Coupling

Covers service and emergency glad hand identification, coupling procedure, and sealing. Incorrect coupling is linked to brake failure and trailer runaway.

Lesson 4 • Trailer Relay and Control Valves

Details relay emergency valve and trailer control valve operation in the trailer circuit. Learners trace air paths during normal and emergency braking.

Lesson 1 • ABS Principles and Components

Explains wheel speed sensing, ECU processing, and modulator valve cycling in ABS. Learners connect ABS function to wheel lockup prevention and directional control.

Lesson 2 • Electronic Stability Control

Introduces lateral acceleration sensing and selective brake application in ESC systems. Learners identify ESC activation events and driver response protocols.

Lesson 3 • ABS Warning Lamp Diagnostics

Covers self-test sequence, fault code retrieval, and lamp behaviour during normal and fault conditions. Learners distinguish active faults from stored codes.

Lesson 4 • Trailer ABS and Power Line Carrier

Covers trailer ABS wiring, PLC signal transmission, and tractor-trailer ABS compatibility. Learners verify trailer ABS lamp function during coupling checks.

Lesson 1 • Air Pressure Build-Up Test

Covers timing the compressor build-up from low pressure to governor cut-out. Learners identify acceptable build-up rates and diagnose slow build-up causes.

Lesson 2 • Low-Pressure Warning and Spring Brake Test

Verifies low-pressure warning device activation and spring brake application at correct thresholds. Learners fan down pressure and record activation points.

Lesson 3 • Foundation Brake and Pushrod Inspection

Covers visual and measurement checks of lining thickness, drum condition, and pushrod stroke. Learners apply brake and measure stroke against maximum limits.

Lesson 4 • Static Leakage Rate Test

Details the procedure for measuring system pressure drop with brakes applied and released. Learners compare measured drop rates to maximum allowable limits.

Lesson 1 • Diagnostic Approach and Tools

Introduces a symptom-based diagnostic process and the tools used at each step. Structured diagnosis reduces repair time and prevents misdiagnosis.

Lesson 2 • Supply System Fault Diagnosis

Covers diagnosis of slow build-up, excessive compressor cycling, and contaminated air supply. Learners isolate faults to compressor, governor, dryer, or reservoir.

Lesson 3 • Spring Brake and Parking Faults

Covers spring brake that will not release, partial application, and parking valve leakage. Learners distinguish hold-off pressure loss from mechanical spring failure.

Lesson 4 • Service Brake Circuit Faults

Addresses dragging brakes, uneven application, and slow release in the service circuit. Learners test delivery pressure at each chamber to isolate valve faults.