What is a Fail-Safe Brake? [VIDEO]

In this video, W.C. Branham's VP of Engineering and General Manager, Chad Randleman, will explain what a fail-safe brake is along with its basic functionalities. He will also walk through the most common applications of fail-safe brakes.

What is a Fail-Safe Brake?

Fail-safe brakes are brakes that, by nature, are always engaged unless otherwise activated. In essence, "fail-safe" signifies that a brake disengages (allowing motion) when power or pressure to the brake is turned on and engages (restrains against motion) when the power is turned off. 

Fail-safe brakes commonly consist of spring-applied brakes which are actuated by a stack of belleville disc springs. Braking force is generated through the friction surfaces clamping together. When pressurized, by either pneumatic or hydraulic pressure, the spring stack is retracted and the brake is opened or disengaged.

When Are Fail-Safe Brakes Used?

As you might have guessed, fail-safe brakes are designed for emergency stopping or holding and are often used in applications where fail-safe functionality is a requirement to follow safety protocol. This means that fail-safe brakes will engage or “kick in” upon loss of power or pressure.

Emergency brakes are critical for a multitude of industrial environments, such as industrial packaging.

Imagine your packaging equipment goes awry—it's not just a mess, it's a serious safety hazard (picture the iconic conveyor belt scene from “I Love Lucy”). Fortunately, these brakes exist to protect people and reduce the potential for costly physical damage as well as unnecessary downtime.

W.C. Branham's Brake Line

W.C. Branham makes a wide range of caliper disc brakes for industrial and off-highway vehicular applications from 600 to 150,000-inch pounds of braking torque. Each of our caliper disc brakes are made of either quality machined or cast aluminum construction and are hard-coated for long service life.

Check out our wide selection:

• Pneumatic Brakes
• Hydraulic Brakes
• Mechanical Brakes
• Pneumatic Spring Applied Brakes
• Hydraulic Spring Applied Brakes
• Dual Function Mechanical/Hydraulic

You can also find brake discs and disc/hub assemblies on the W.C. Branham website. Don't forget to ask about custom options as well!