Brake testing system
A brake test system (in Switzerland a pre- brake system ) is required to make a train ready for operation . It is used to carry out a main brake test on a train composition. This main brake test can also be carried out without a corresponding (stationary) system, but then a traction vehicle and an operator must be available for it. For reasons of cost, fixed brake test systems are therefore used in larger formation stations, as they can save locomotives and personnel.
In the first step, the brake system of the entire train set is filled with compressed air using the brake test system . Following the filling process, the wagon master carries out the brake test. A distinction is made between hand-operated and remote-controlled brake test systems.
In the manually operated brake test system , the pressures required for the brake test are set using a type of driver's brake valve (e.g. test pressure regulator 1 (PDR1)).
Advantage: Inexpensive technology.
Disadvantage: Very time-consuming, as the shunters have to return to the brake test system for the individual steps of the brake test.
The remote-controlled brake test systems are usually operated via a radio module . Only the individual steps of the brake test are selected, such as filling. The system works in a similar way to modern tire pressure monitoring systems. The electrically controlled brake test system also works according to this system, where at the other end of the track there is a control panel with buttons with which the system can be remotely controlled (it only makes sense to use it when trains are always the same length, e.g. passenger trains).
Advantage: The shunter saves travel time because he does not have to go back to the filling station for every step of the brake test.
Disadvantage: expensive and maintenance-intensive system.