🔍 Key Concepts

• Fail-safe design of machinery brakes (what happens on loss of power) • Difference between spring-set / electrically-released vs electrically-set / spring-released brakes • Purpose of an automatic brake on an anchor windlass (what you want it to do in an emergency)

💭 Think About

• If electric power to the drive motor suddenly fails while weighing anchor, what do you want the anchor and chain to do: keep holding, or run free? • In heavy machinery, which arrangement is normally used so that the brake engages (sets) automatically if electrical power is lost? • Match each choice to these two questions: (1) Is the brake set by spring or electricity? (2) Does it set or release when power is removed?

✅ Before You Answer

• For safety, loss of electrical power should cause the brake to engage, not release • A spring-set brake means the spring applies the braking force; electricity is only used to lift (release) the brake. • Eliminate any option where loss of power would let the anchor and chain run free unintentionally.