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July 2008

Suspected leakage from Four Circuit Protection Valves

(including those fitted to Air Processing Units (APUs))

For some years now the law has required Four Circuit Protection Valves to
incorporate a feature, which in Knorr-Bremse valves creates a discharge of air
through the valve’s breather. In certain circumstances this can be mistaken for a
leak caused by a faulty valve.

Knorr-Bremse "Safety Feature"

From 1st October 1999 the
European Union regulations
governing air brake systems fitted
to new vehicles changed to
include Amendment 98/12. This
amendment states that “Once
applied, the spring brakes must
not release unless there is
sufficient pressure in the service
brake system to at least provide
the prescribed residual braking
performance of the laden vehicle
by application of the service
braking control.” To achieve this requirement a new feature (called the Safety
Feature) was designed to be used in all Knorr-Bremse Four Circuit Protection
Valves.

What does this mean to you?

If while the engine is switched off (i.e. compressor not recharging the system) there
is a leak from the Service Reservoirs:
• The pressure in the Service Reservoirs may drop sufficiently to activate the
Safety Feature.
• The result of activating the Safety Feature is that the Spring Brake Reservoir
will be vented (through an internal choke to atmosphere).
• The venting of air by the Safety Feature through the breather of the valve
might be wrongly perceived as a faulty valve as the flow rate is small
(governed by the internal choke) and occurs for several minutes (there is a
lot of air in the Spring Brake Reservoir to vent through the choke)!

See overleaf for further details.

Y058306-EN-000

Page 1 of 2
This publication is subject to alteration without notice and therefore a printed copy may not be the latest revision.
Please check our website www.knorr-bremseCVS.com for the latest update or contact your local Knorr-Bremse representative.
Knorr-Bremse Systems for Commercial Vehicles . Emersons Green . Bristol BS16 7FE . Tel: 0117 984 6100 . Fax: 0117 984 6101 . www.knorr-bremse.com . www.knorr-bremseCVS.com
Copyright 2008 © Knorr-Bremse AG – all rights reserved, including industrial property rights applications. Knorr-Bremse AG retains any power of disposal, such as for copying and transferring.
 Commercial Vehicle Systems

If during testing of a vehicle the pressure in one or both Service Reservoirs drops below
4 bar it is possible that the Safety Feature within the Four Circuit Protection Valve will
become operational giving a steady discharge of air from the breather (see diagram below
for the breather location). If you experience “leakage” from the breather then charge the
Service Reservoirs to 5 bar or higher and recheck the valve for leakage.
Copyright 2008 © Knorr-Bremse AG – all rights reserved, including industrial property rights applications. Knorr-Bremse AG retains any power of disposal, such as for copying and transferring.

During normal system operation there should be no air leakage through the breather of a
Four Circuit Protection Valve. If the flow of air through the breather stops when the Service
Reservoirs are recharged then this shows that the Safety Feature was working correctly.

REMEMBER TO ENSURE THAT THE PRESSURE IN ALL RESERVOIRS IS ABOVE 5 BAR

BEFORE CHECKING FOR LEAKS ON A FOUR CIRCUIT PROTECTION VALVE.
Disclaimer:
The information contained in this document is intended for the exclusive use of trained persons within the commercial vehicle industry, and must not be passed on to any third party.
All recommendations regarding products and their servicing or usage are with reference to Knorr-Bremse products and should not be considered applicable to products from other
manufacturers. This information does not purport to be all-inclusive and no responsibility is assumed as a result of its use. We cannot accept any liability nor offer any guarantee
regarding data accuracy, completeness or timeliness. The information does not represent any guarantee or ensured characteristics of the Products or Systems described. No
liability can be accepted based on the information, its use, recommendations or advice provided. In no event may we be held liable for any damage or loss except in the case of
wilful intent or gross negligence on our part, or if any mandatory legal provisions apply. Any legal disputes arising from the use of this information shall be subject to German law.
Y058306-EN-000

Page 2 of 2
This publication is subject to alteration without notice and therefore a printed copy may not be the latest revision.
Please check our website www.knorr-bremseCVS.com for the latest update or contact your local Knorr-Bremse representative.
If service work is carried out on the vehicle, it is the responsibility of the workshop to ensure the vehicle is fully tested and in full functional order before the
vehicle is returned into service. Knorr-Bremse accepts no liability for problems caused as a result of appropriate tests not being carried out.
Knorr-Bremse Systems for Commercial Vehicles . Emersons Green . Bristol BS16 7FE . Tel: 0117 984 6100 . Fax: 0117 984 6101 . www.knorr-bremse.com . www.knorr-bremseCVS.com

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Knorr-Bremse Group