January 3, 2022
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
Establishing a Standard Maintenance Schedule
Air compressor maintenance
Once your compressor system has been successfully installed at your facility, it’s important to establish a plan for the equipment’s standard maintenance and servicing. Typically, compressor systems should be serviced once a year, but make sure that you’re closely following the maintenance guidelines laid out by your system’s manufacturer. Keep in mind that this is a necessary — and easy — step in extending your equipment’s life span. Your compressor equipment won’t run well without regular upkeep!
Examples of routine maintenance include:
- Changing your compressor’s oil (typically needed every six months)
- Removing and installing filters and oil-water separators
- Replacing a worn compressor belts
- Checking filters, vents, belts and bearings for dirt and grime buildup
- Reapplying lubricant to all applicable parts of compressor
- Managing condensation (ongoing)
- Removing contamination in piping
- Investigating pressure loss in piping system (as needed)
- Inspecting and cleaning the intake valve
The Value of Preventive Maintenance
Preventive maintenance kit
Standard maintenance schedules ensure that your compressor receives the minimum amount of maintenance necessary to keep it functioning well. Preventive maintenance, on the other hand, not only assists in lengthening the life of your machine, but also increases your equipment’s efficiency. By following a preventive maintenance plan, you can catch and eliminate issues before they get bigger — avoiding costly repairs and downtime down the road. You can also be confident that your compressor is operating at a level that’s as close to peak efficiency as possible.
While, in most cases, members of your in-house maintenance team are likely knowledgeable enough to perform the preventive maintenance tasks themselves, there are a variety of tasks that should be performed by a compressed air professional. Examples include:
- Motor replacements
- Repairing mechanical breakdowns
- Relocation of particularly large, heavy machines
- System safety shutdown inspections
- Any compressor maintenance-specific tasks for which your staff isn’t trained
It’s important that the staff members working on your compressor system be trained in both machine operation and the broader principles of how air compressors work.
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