Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/68Show full title

3. Special requirements for the connections between tractors and towed vehicles for compressed-air braking systems

3.1. The electric control line of the tractor shall provide information as to whether the requirements of point 2.2.1.29.1.2 of Annex I can be satisfied by the electric control line, without assistance from the pneumatic control line. It shall also provide information as to whether it is equipped according to point 2.1.4.1.2 of Annex I with two control lines or according to point 2.1.4.1.3 of Annex I with only an electric control line.

3.2. A tractor equipped according to point 2.1.4.1.3 of Annex I shall recognise that the coupling of a towed vehicle equipped according to point 2.1.4.1.1 of Annex I is not compatible. When such vehicles are electrically connected via the electric control line of the tractor, the driver shall be warned by the red optical warning signal specified in point 2.2.1.29.1.1 of Annex I and when the system is energised, the brakes on the tractor shall be automatically applied. This brake application shall provide at least the prescribed parking braking performance required by points 3.1.3.1 and 3.1.3.2 of Annex II respectively.

3.3. In the case of a tractor equipped with two control lines as described in point 2.1.4.1.2 of Annex I, when electrically connected to a towed vehicle which is also equipped with two control lines, all of the following conditions shall be fulfilled:

3.3.1.

both signals shall be present at the coupling head and the towed vehicle shall use the electric control signal unless this signal is deemed to have failed. In this case the towed vehicle shall automatically switch to the pneumatic control line;

3.3.2.

each vehicle shall conform to the relevant provisions of Appendix 1 of Annex II for both electric and pneumatic control lines;

3.3.3.

when the electric control signal has exceeded the equivalent of 100 kPa for more than 1 second, the towed vehicle shall verify that a pneumatic signal is present; should no pneumatic signal be present, the driver shall be warned from the towed vehicle by the separate yellow warning signal specified in point 2.1.4.1.2 of Annex I.

3.4. A towed vehicle may be equipped as described in point 2.1.4.1.3 of Annex I, provided that it can only be operated in conjunction with a tractor with an electric control line which satisfies the requirements of point 2.2.1.17.1 of Annex I. In any other case, the towed vehicle, when electrically connected, shall automatically apply the brakes or remain braked. The driver shall be warned by the separate yellow warning signal specified in point 2.2.1.29.2 of Annex I.

3.5. If the operation of the parking braking system on the tractor also operates a braking system on the towed vehicle, as permitted by point 2.1.2.3 of Annex I, then the following additional requirements shall be met:

3.5.1.

When the tractor is equipped according to point 2.1.4.1.1 of Annex I, the actuation of the parking braking system of the tractor shall actuate a braking system on the towed vehicle via the pneumatic control line.

3.5.2.

When the tractor is equipped according to point 2.1.4.1.2 of Annex I, the actuation of the parking braking system on the tractor shall actuate a braking system on the towed vehicle as prescribed in point 3.5.1 In addition, the actuation of the parking braking system may also actuate a braking system on the towed vehicle via the electric control line.

3.5.3.

When the tractor is equipped according to point 2.1.4.1.3, of Annex I or, if it satisfies the requirements of point 2.2.1.17.1 of Annex I without assistance from the pneumatic control line, point 2.1.4.1.2 of Annex I, the actuation of the parking braking system on the tractor shall actuate a braking system on the towed vehicle via the electric control line. When the electrical energy for the braking equipment of the tractor is switched off, the braking of the towed vehicle shall be effected by evacuation of the supply line (in addition, the pneumatic control line may remain pressurised); the supply line may only remain evacuated until the electrical energy for the braking equipment of the tractor is restored and simultaneously the braking of the towed vehicle via the electric control line is restored.