North Carolina CDL Air Brakes Practice Test

An air brake system can be set up in such a way that an air leak in one system does not impact the other system if the systems are designed to be independent. Many air brake systems, particularly those used in larger vehicles like buses and trucks, employ dual air brake systems. These systems, typically consisting of a primary and a secondary system, operate independently. Each system has its own compressor, reservoir, and brake components.

When designed independently, if there’s a malfunction or leak in one system, the other can still function normally, allowing the vehicle to maintain a certain level of braking ability even in the presence of a failure. This redundancy is a crucial safety feature, ensuring that a vehicle can still be controlled even if one air supply fails. In situations where both systems are not independent, a leak in one could potentially compromise the functionality of the other, leading to unsafe conditions. Thus, independence in system design is the key factor that confirms the truth of the statement regarding air leaks.