Like any heavy duty piece of equipment, it takes a certain amount of maintenance to keep it running at peak performance. This article will cover the why, what and how of maintaining compressed air systems.
Why Problems Occur
Without proper care of your air compressor the various parts can begin to break down. Hoses in particular are the Achilles Heel of your system and as such are prone to weak spots and breakdown. This can cause leaks which lead to a higher energy consumption because of lowered efficiency.
Another result of inadequate maintenance is high operating temperatures, excessive moisture in the system and rampant contamination. The above problems can be completely avoided with proper and scheduled maintenance of your unit.
How Often Should You Schedule Maintenance?
The documentation that came with your compressor system should have a schedule included. Please note though that this schedule is generally intended to keep your system running. But it is recommended to increase maintenance checks in order to not only keep your compressor running, but keep it running at its optimum performance.
Also, it should be mentioned that you may need to even increase your maintenance a bit more if you and your compressed air system live in a harsher climate.
Which Components Require the Most Attention?
There are some key areas of your system that will require the most attention during one of your schedule maintenance checks. Pay close attention to the compressor itself as well as the internal cooling surfaces and make sure they are clean of all debris and oil.
Next, check your water pumps and fans to make sure they are all working properly.
Like a car, your system has oil and an oil filter within it and they need to be replaced every so often. Again, refer to your documentation which should tell you how often they need changing.
Electric motors can be finicky so it is important to check the motor drives and make sure they are clean and properly lubricated. Do not over lubricate your machine as this can cause premature motor failure.
Why Problems Occur
Without proper care of your air compressor the various parts can begin to break down. Hoses in particular are the Achilles Heel of your system and as such are prone to weak spots and breakdown. This can cause leaks which lead to a higher energy consumption because of lowered efficiency.
Another result of inadequate maintenance is high operating temperatures, excessive moisture in the system and rampant contamination. The above problems can be completely avoided with proper and scheduled maintenance of your unit.
How Often Should You Schedule Maintenance?
The documentation that came with your compressor system should have a schedule included. Please note though that this schedule is generally intended to keep your system running. But it is recommended to increase maintenance checks in order to not only keep your compressor running, but keep it running at its optimum performance.
Also, it should be mentioned that you may need to even increase your maintenance a bit more if you and your compressed air system live in a harsher climate.
Which Components Require the Most Attention?
There are some key areas of your system that will require the most attention during one of your schedule maintenance checks. Pay close attention to the compressor itself as well as the internal cooling surfaces and make sure they are clean of all debris and oil.
Next, check your water pumps and fans to make sure they are all working properly.
Like a car, your system has oil and an oil filter within it and they need to be replaced every so often. Again, refer to your documentation which should tell you how often they need changing.
Electric motors can be finicky so it is important to check the motor drives and make sure they are clean and properly lubricated. Do not over lubricate your machine as this can cause premature motor failure.


06:39
Faizan
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