Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/68Show full title

ANNEX IV Requirements applying to energy sources and energy storage devices of braking systems and trailer braking couplings and to vehicles fitted with them

1. Definitions

For the purposes of this Annex:

1.1.

‘hydraulic or pneumatic braking system with stored energy’ means a braking system where energy is supplied by a hydraulic fluid or air under pressure, stored in one or more energy storage devices fed from one or more pressure pumps or compressor(s) each fitted with a means of limiting the pressure to a maximum value (specified by the manufacturer).

A. COMPRESSED-AIR BRAKING SYSTEMS

1. Capacity of energy storage devices (Energy reservoirs)

1.1. General requirements

1.1.1. Vehicles on which the operation of the braking system depends on the use of compressed air shall be fitted with reservoirs of a capacity meeting the requirements laid down in points 1.2 and 1.3.

1.1.2. However, the reservoirs shall not be required to be of a prescribed capacity if the braking system is such that in the absence of any energy reserve it is possible with the service braking system control device to achieve a braking performance at least equal to that prescribed for the secondary braking system.

1.1.3. When verifying compliance with the requirements laid down in points 1.2 and 1.3 the brakes shall be adjusted as closely as possible.

1.2. Vehicles of category T

1.2.1. The air brake reservoirs of vehicles shall be so designed that after eight full-stroke actuations of the service braking system control device, the pressure remaining in the air brake reservoir shall be not less than the pressure required to obtain the specified secondary braking performance.

1.2.2. During the test, the following requirements shall be satisfied:

1.2.2.1.

The initial pressure in the reservoirs shall be that indicated by the manufacturer. This pressure shall be such as to enable the prescribed performance for the service braking system to be achieved. The initial pressure shall be stated in the information document.

1.2.2.2.

The reservoir or reservoirs shall not be replenished; in addition, the reservoir or reservoirs of auxiliary equipment shall be isolated.

1.2.2.3.

In the case of vehicles authorised to tow a vehicle, the supply line shall be blocked off and a reservoir of 0,5 litre capacity shall be connected to the control line. The pressure in this reservoir shall be exhausted before each actuation of the brakes. After the test referred to in point 1.2.1 the pressure in the control line shall not be less than one half of the pressure obtained at the first brake application.

1.3. Vehicles of categories R and S

1.3.1. Reservoirs fitted to towed vehicles shall be such that after eight full-stroke actuations of the tractor's service braking system, the pressure supplied to the operating parts using it does not fall below a level equivalent to one-half of the figure obtained at the first brake application and without actuating either the automatic or the parking braking system of the towed vehicle.

1.3.2. During the test, the following requirements shall be satisfied:

1.3.2.1.

The pressure in the reservoirs at the beginning of the test shall be 850 kPa.

1.3.2.2.

The supply line shall be blocked off; in addition, the auxiliary equipment reservoirs shall be isolated.

1.3.2.3.

The reservoir shall not be replenished during the test.

1.3.2.4.

At each brake application, the pressure in the control line shall be 750 kPa.

1.3.2.5.

At each brake application, the digital demand value in the electric control line shall be corresponding to a pneumatic pressure of 750 kPa.

2. Capacity of energy sources

2.1. General provisions

Compressors shall satisfy the requirements laid down in the following points:

2.2. Symbols specific to this section

2.2.1.

p₁ the pressure corresponding to 65 % of the pressure p₂ referred to in point 2.2.2.

2.2.2.

p₂ is the value specified by the manufacturer and referred to in point 1.2.2.1.

2.2.3.

t₁ is the time required for the relative pressure to rise from 0 to p₁; t₂ is the time required for the relative pressure to rise from 0 to p₂.

2.3. Conditions of measurement

2.3.1. In all cases the speed of the compressor shall be that obtained when the engine is running at the speed corresponding to its maximum power or at the speed allowed by the governor.

2.3.2. The auxiliary equipment reservoirs shall be isolated during the tests for determining the periods t₁ and t₂.

2.3.3. On vehicles constructed to tow vehicles, the towed vehicle shall be represented by an air reservoir whose maximum relative pressure p (expressed in kPa/100) is that which can be supplied through the feed circuit of the tractor and whose volume V (expressed in litres) is given by the formula p × V = 20 R (R being the permissible maximum mass, expressed in tons, on the axles of the towed vehicle).

2.4. Interpretation of results

2.4.1. The time t₁ recorded for the least favoured energy storage device shall not exceed:

2.4.1.1.

three minutes in the case of vehicles to which the coupling of a towed vehicle is not authorised;

2.4.1.2.

six minutes in the case of vehicles to which the coupling of a towed vehicle is authorised.

2.4.2. The time t₂ for the least efficient reservoir shall not exceed:

2.4.2.1.

six minutes in the case of vehicles to which the coupling of a towed vehicle is not authorised;

2.4.2.2.

nine minutes in the case of vehicles to which the coupling of a towed vehicle is authorised.

2.5. Additional test

2.5.1. When the vehicle is equipped with an auxiliary equipment reservoir or reservoirs with a total capacity exceeding 20 % of the total capacity of the brake reservoirs, an additional test shall be carried out during the course of which there shall be no interference with the functioning of the valves controlling the filling of the auxiliary equipment reservoir(s). A check shall be made during the course of this test that the period t₃ required to bring about a rise in the pressure in the brake reservoirs from 0 to p₂ is less than:

2.5.1.1.

eight minutes in the case of vehicles to which the coupling of a towed vehicle is not authorised

2.5.1.2.

eleven minutes in the case of vehicles to which the coupling of a towed vehicle is authorised.

2.5.2. The test shall be performed in the conditions prescribed in points 2.3.1 and 2.3.3.

2.6. Tractors

2.6.1. Vehicles to which the coupling of a towed vehicle is authorised shall also comply with the above requirements for vehicles not so authorised. In that case, the tests in points 2.4.1, 2.4.2 and 2.5.1 shall be conducted without the reservoir mentioned in item 2.3.3.

3. Pressure test connections

3.1. A pressure test connection shall be fitted at the closest readily accessible position to the least efficient reservoir within the meaning of point 2.4.

3.2. The pressure test connections shall comply with clause 4 of ISO standard 3583-1984.

B. VACUUM BRAKING SYSTEMS

1. Capacity of energy storage devices (energy reservoirs)

1.1. General

1.1.1. Vehicles on which the operation of the braking system requires the use of a vacuum shall be equipped with reservoirs of a capacity meeting the requirements laid down in points 1.2 and 1.3.

1.1.2. However, the reservoirs shall not be required to be of a prescribed capacity if the braking system is such that in the absence of any energy reserve it is possible to achieve a braking performance at least equal to that prescribed for the secondary braking system.

1.1.3. In verifying compliance with the requirements laid down in points 1.2 and 1.3, the brakes shall be adjusted as closely as possible.

1.2. Vehicles of category T and C

1.2.1. The reservoirs of agricultural vehicles shall be such that it is still possible to achieve the performance prescribed for the secondary braking system:

1.2.1.1.

after eight full-stroke actuations of the service braking system control device where the energy source is a vacuum pump; and

1.2.1.2.

after four full-stroke actuations of the service braking system control device where the energy source is the engine.

1.2.2. Testing shall be performed in conformity with the following requirements:

1.2.2.1.

The initial energy level in the reservoir(s) shall be that specified by the manufacturer. It shall be such as to enable the prescribed service-braking performance to be achieved and shall correspond to a vacuum not exceeding 90 % of the maximum vacuum furnished by the energy source. The initial energy level shall be stated in the information document.

1.2.2.2.

The reservoir(s) shall not be fed; in addition, any reservoir(s) for auxiliary equipment shall be isolated.

1.2.2.3.

In the case of agricultural vehicles authorised to tow a towed vehicle, the supply line shall be blocked off and a reservoir of 0,5 litre capacity shall be connected to the control line. After the test referred to in point 1.2.1, the vacuum level provided at the control line shall not have fallen below a level equivalent to one-half of the figure obtained at the first brake application.

1.3. Vehicles of categories R1, R2 and S1

1.3.1. The reservoir(s) with which towed vehicles are equipped shall be such that the vacuum level provided at the user points shall not have fallen below a level equivalent to one-half of the value obtained at the first brake application after a test comprising four full-stroke actuations of the towed vehicle's service braking system.

1.3.2. Testing shall be performed in conformity with the following requirements:

1.3.2.1.

The initial energy level in the reservoir(s) shall be that specified by the manufacturer. It shall be such as to enable the prescribed service braking performance to be achieved. The initial energy level shall be stated in the information document.

1.3.2.2.

The reservoir(s) shall not be fed; in addition, any reservoir(s) for auxiliary equipment shall be isolated.

2. Capacity of energy sources

2.1. General

2.1.1. Starting from the ambient atmospheric pressure, the energy source shall be capable of achieving in the reservoir(s) in three minutes the initial level specified in point 1.2.2.1. In the case of a vehicle to which the coupling of a towed vehicle is authorised, the time taken to achieve that level in the conditions specified in point 2.2 shall not exceed six minutes.

2.2. Conditions of measurement

2.2.1. The speed of the vacuum source shall be:

2.2.1.1.

Where the vacuum source is the vehicle engine, the engine speed obtained with the vehicle stationary, the neutral gear engaged and the engine idling;

2.2.1.2.

where the vacuum source is a pump, the speed obtained with the engine running at 65 % of the speed corresponding to its maximum power output; and

2.2.1.3.

where the vacuum source is a pump and the engine is equipped with a governor, the speed obtained with the engine running at 65 % of the maximum speed allowed by the governor.

2.2.2. Where it is intended to couple to the vehicle a towed vehicle whose service braking system is vacuum-operated, the towed vehicle shall be represented by an energy storage device having a capacity V in litres determined by the formula:

V = 15 R

where R is the maximum permissible mass, in metric tonnes, on the axles of the towed vehicle.

C. HYDRAULIC BRAKING SYSTEMS WITH STORED ENERGY

1. Capacity of energy storage devices

1.1. General

1.1.1. Vehicles on which the operation of the braking system requires the use of stored energy provided by hydraulic fluid under pressure shall be equipped with energy storage devices of a capacity meeting the requirements laid down in points 1.2 and 1.3.

1.1.2. However, the energy storage devices shall not be required to be of a prescribed capacity if the braking system is such that in the absence of any energy reserve it is possible with the service braking system control device to achieve a braking performance at least equal to that prescribed for the secondary braking system.

1.1.3. In verifying compliance with the requirements laid down in points 1.2.1, 1.2.2 and 2.1, the brakes shall be adjusted as closely as possible.

1.2. Vehicles of category T and C

1.2.1. Vehicles equipped with a hydraulic braking system with stored energy shall meet the following requirements:

1.2.1.1.

After eight full-stroke actuations of the service braking system control device, it shall still be possible to achieve, on the ninth application, the performance prescribed for the secondary braking system.

1.2.1.2.

Testing shall be performed in conformity with the following requirements:

1.2.1.2.1.

Testing shall commence at a pressure that may be specified by the manufacturer but is not higher than the cut-in pressure.

1.2.1.2.2.

The energy storage devices shall not be fed; in addition, any energy storage devices for auxiliary equipment shall be isolated.

1.2.2. Tractors equipped with a hydraulic braking system with stored energy which cannot meet the requirements of point 2.2.1.4.1 of Annex I shall be deemed to satisfy that point if the following requirements are met:

1.2.2.1.

After any single transmission failure it shall still be possible after eight full-stroke actuations of the service braking system control device, to achieve, at the ninth application, at least the performance prescribed for the secondary braking system or, or, where performance prescribed for the secondary braking system requiring the use of stored energy is achieved by a separate control device, it shall still be possible after eight full-stroke actuations to achieve, at the ninth application, the residual performance prescribed in paragraph 3.1.4 of Annex II of this Regulation.

1.2.2.2.

Testing shall be performed in conformity with the following requirements:

1.2.2.2.1.

With the energy source stationary or operating at a speed corresponding to the engine idling speed, any transmission failure may be induced. Before inducing such a failure the energy storage device(s) shall be at a pressure that may be specified by the manufacturer but not exceeding the cut-in pressure.

1.2.2.2.2.

The auxiliary equipment and its energy storage devices, if any, shall be isolated.

1.3. Vehicles of categories R and S

1.3.1. If towed vehicles are equipped with energy storage devices (energy reservoirs), they shall be such that, after eight full-stroke actuations of the tractor's service braking system, the energy level supplied to the operating members using the energy, does not fall below a level equivalent to one-half of the figure obtained at the first brake application and without actuating either the automatic or the parking braking system of the towed vehicle.

1.3.2. During the test, the following requirements shall be satisfied:

1.3.2.1.

The pressure in the energy storages at the beginning of the test shall be 15 000 kPa;

1.3.2.2.

The supplementary line shall be stopped; in addition, any energy storage device(s) for auxiliary equipment shall be isolated;

1.3.2.3.

The energy storage device(s) shall not be replenished during the test.

1.3.2.4.

At each brake application, the pressure in the hydraulic control line shall be 13 300 kPa.

2. Capacity of hydraulic fluid energy sources

The energy sources shall meet the requirements set out in the following points:

2.1. Vehicles of category T and C

2.1.1 Symbols

2.1.1.1.

‘p₁’ represents the maximum system operational pressure (cut-out pressure) in the energy storage devices specified by the manufacturer.

2.1.1.2.

‘p₂’ represents the pressure after four full-stroke actuations with the service braking system control device, starting at p₁, without having fed the energy storage devices.

2.1.1.3.

‘t’ represents the time required for the pressure to rise from p₂ to p₁ in the energy storage devices without application of the service braking system control device.

2.1.2. Conditions of measurement

2.1.2.1. During the test to determine the time t, the feed rate of the energy source shall be that obtained when the engine is running at the speed corresponding to its maximum power or at the speed allowed by the governor.

2.1.2.2. During the test to determine the time t, energy storage devices for auxiliary equipment shall not be isolated other than automatically.

2.1.3. Interpretation of results

The time t shall not exceed 30 s in the case of tractors.

2.2. Tractors equipped with a hydraulic control line for towed vehicles

2.2.1. To determine the feed rate of the energy source the supplementary line towed vehicle simulator as prescribed in paragraph 3.6.2.1 of Annex III to this Regulation shall be connected to the coupling head of the hydraulic supplementary line of the tractor.

2.2.2. The test shall be performed under the following conditions:

2.2.2.1.

The test shall be carried out at an ambient temperature between 15 °C and 30 °C.

2.2.2.2.

The supplementary line towed vehicle simulator shall be connected to the coupling head of the supplementary line before the test with engine not running.

2.2.2.3.

The engine speed of the tractor during the test shall be 25 % above idling speed.

2.2.2.4.

The parking brake control of the tractor shall be fully released during the test.

2.2.3. With the engine running and the bleeding device fully closed, the time elapsing when the pressure at the testing port close to the female ISO 16028:2006 coupling rises from 300 kPa to 1 500 kPa shall not exceed 2,5 seconds.

2.3. Vehicles of category R and S

If a towed vehicle using an energy storage device to assist the service braking system and such an energy storage device is recharged by the control line pressure during application of the service braking and/or by an energy source fitted on the towed vehicle, the following requirements shall be met:

2.3.1. The energy source shall be powered by the tractor simulator according to Appendix 2 of Annex III via the electrical connector conforming to ISO 7638:2003.

2.3.2. Symbols

2.3.2.1.

‘p_R1’ represents the maximum system operational pressure (cut-out pressure) in the energy storage device specified by the manufacturer.

2.3.2.2.

‘p_R2’ represents the pressure after four full-stroke actuations of the tractor's service braking system control device.

2.3.2.3.

‘t_R’ represents the time required for the pressure to rise from p_R2 to p_R1 in the energy storage device without application of the service braking system control device of the tractor.

2.3.3. Conditions of measurement

During the test to determine the time t_R the following requirements shall be satisfied:

2.3.3.1.

The pressure in the energy storage device at the beginning of the test shall be the pressure ‘p_R1’.

2.3.3.2.

The service braking system shall be operated four times by the control line of the tractor simulator.

2.3.3.3.

At each brake application, the pressure in the control line shall be 13 300 kPa.

2.3.3.4.

Energy storage devices for auxiliary equipment shall not be isolated other than automatically.

2.3.3.5.

The valve feeding the energy storage device by the pressure of the control line shall be closed during the test.

2.3.4. Interpretation of results

The time t_R shall not exceed 4 min.

3. Characteristics of alarm devices

With the engine stationary and commencing at a pressure that may be specified by the manufacturer but does not exceed the cut-in pressure, the alarm device shall not operate following two full-stroke actuations of the service braking system control device.