Comparison with other secondary braking systems

There are three different secondary braking systems in the market:

Hydraulic retarders

• Use the cooling systems of engine or transmission.
• Slow response to connection and disconnection commands.
• Limited efficiency at low speed.
• Complicated retrofit installation.
• High acquisition and maintenance cost.

Engine brake

• Efficiency requires certain engine rpm’s, affecting to engine temperature.
• No effect when changing gears.
• Noisy.
• On-Off regulation.

Electromagnetic retarders

• Self air-cooled. Not involved with engine or transmission cooling systems.
• Fast response to connection and disconnection commands.
• High efficiency at low speed.
• Simple, low cost installation and maintenance.
• Independent from engine and transmission.
• Silent.
• Progressive regulation.