HOW DO ANTI-LOCK BRAKES WORK?
                     HOW DO ANTI-LOCK BRAKES WORK?
Mark Sanford
Writer at Brake System
University providing advice, reviews and information on 
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If you ever find yourself in a situation on the road where you need to come 
to an abrupt stop, you will be quite thankful for your vehicle’s anti-lock 
brake technology. This brake design empowers drivers to quickly apply the 
brakes without the wheels locking up. If modern-day vehicles did not have 
anti-lock brakes, the wheels would lock amidst a hard brake, and vehicle 
steering control would be lost. Though most people are aware that today’s 
vehicles have anti-lock brake technology, there is a general lack of 
understanding about how, exactly, this technology works. Below, we 
explain how anti-lock brakes function to prevent potentially deadly 
accidents on the road.
THE BASICS OF ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEMS
Nearly every single vehicle on the road has anti-lock brakes controlled by a 
microprocessor. This technology makes it possible to reapply the brakes 
over and over again, all the way up to 25 times per second in order to 
prevent the vehicle from skidding. Instead of pumping the brakes in a 
repeated fashion, anti-lock braking systems do the work for the driver in a 
much more efficient manner. All the driver has to do is press the brakes 
and the anti-lock braking technology will do the rest of the work.
This braking technology is centered on the application of cadence braking 
that determines when wheels are poised to lock. The brake is released at 
the wheel and subsequently reapplied. All in all, this braking system has 
three distinct parts: one that determines when the wheel is set to lock, 
one that releases the brake, and another that restores pressure to the 
brake line upon release. This technology makes it possible to stop the 
vehicle without the driver constantly relinquishing and subsequently 
reapplying pressure to the brake pedal.
MEASURING WHEEL SPEED EVERY SINGLE SECOND
Anti-lock brakes determine when wheels are on the verge of locking in several 
ways. Wheel speed can be compared to gauge which one is set to lock up. 
Furthermore, the rate of the slowdown is also measurable. The hydraulic pressure 
applied to the brake can be released in both situations if the deceleration is 
significant. Anti-lock brake technology has advanced to the point that 
computerized electronic systems speed-check the four wheels against one 
another. This technology also conducts a double-check through monitoring the 
rate of deceleration as well. Other anti-lock brake systems rely on mechanical 
sensors to determine when wheels slow faster than they should.
ADDITIONAL COMPONENTS OF ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEMS
Anti-lock brakes are also dependent on valves to regulate air pressure directed to 
the brakes as braking occurs. Valves are positioned within the brake lines. The 
brake valve is open in the initial position, ensuring pressure can move from the 
master cylinder to the brakes. The brake valve in the second position stays closed 
while pressure from the master cylinder is prevented from reaching the brakes. 
The valves’ third position releases some pressure along with the brakes until the 
vehicle reaches a stop.
Anti-lock brakes are also dependent on a hydraulic control unit that provides 
signals from the electronic control unit so the brakes can be released. The 
electronic control unit is best described as an electronic device that receives, 
enhances, and filters sensor signals to determine wheel rotation speed as well as 
acceleration. This device receives signals from sensors within a circuit in order to 
control brake pressure in accordance with data analysis. Hydraulic pressure is 
increased to control the brakes after signals are transmitted by the hydraulic 
control unit.
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