NC CDL General Knowledge Practice Test

The governor is vital for maintaining proper air pressure in a braking system. It is a device that automatically controls the air pressure within the system to ensure it stays at the optimal level for safe braking action. The governor regulates when the air compressor builds pressure and when it stops, which helps prevent over-pressurization that could damage components or cause brake failure. While an air dryer, compressor, and reservoir are also important components of the braking system, they serve different functions. The air dryer removes moisture and contaminants from the compressed air; the compressor generates the air needed for the braking system; and the reservoir stores the compressed air. However, without the governor to regulate the system's pressure, the entire braking functionality would be unreliable.