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Air compressors are tools used in different situations. They are normally used in compressing air in a free space. These machines are widely used in gas stations to different major industries. They are mostly used in inflating pool toys and powering tools like nail guns, drills, sanders, staplers and impact wrenches. The air pressure is increased by actually reducing size of space that have air. Air compressors use pressure switch in stopping a motor when the pressure of the tank reaches the preset limit which is about 125 psi. These compresssors can be classified depending on the pressure they deliver. We have low pressure air compressors, medium pressure compressors and high pressure air compressors.
How to Adjust Air Compressor Pressure Switch?
Presssure setting of the air compressor is the most important and basic thing to keep in mind for both small and large compressors. On big compressors, pressure setting is done on central compressor controller while on smaller compressors, pressure is set using a pressure switch, but all is the same. This machine has a two pressure set-points where the pressure starts and stops: cut-out and cut-in setpoint.
The compressor will stop the moment it reaches at the cut-out set point and start again the moment the pressure drops to cut-in pressure. Most of these compressors have a fixed differential that usually ranges from 0.8 to 1 bar. Setting the pressure switch actually is not hard, you will only set the two; cut-in and cut-out pressures correctly. The following are the procedures on how to set cut-in and cut-out pressure settings.
Setting the cut-in pressure
Starting from the empty tank. Put on the compressor and then let it run until it grows to into the cut-out pressure level
Open the drain to allow some air out slowly. Watch carefully how the pressure comes down slowly
Wait for some minutes for the compressor to start and then write down the pressure
Adjust slowly the cut-in pressure with a big set screw and then turn clockwise in order to increase the cut-in pressure
Close a drain valve. Your air compressor will run until a cut-out pressure is reached
Setting the cut-out pressure
Indicate the levels of pressure at which the compressor stopped the last time you let it run
Adjust accordingly the levels of differential pressure by turning clockwise to increase the pressure and count-clockwise to decrease the levels
Open a drain valve and wait for the pressure to drop to a point where the compressor starts
Allow the compressor to stop and then check cut-out pressure
You can repeat the same procedures
Conclusion
Air compressor is generally a tool that is used to convert power with the use of electric motor, gasoline or diesel into a potential or kinetic energy. The air compressor forces air into the storage tank, hence increasing the pressure. It is important to differentiate this device from the air pump which normally pumps the air. Air compressors are classified into electric, gas or diesel. These machines have pressure switch that is used in controlling the levels of pressure into the machine. The above procedures guides us on how to adjust the air compressor switch.