Checklist: How Often to Service Your Compressed Air Equipment and What It Should Include

Mar 23, 2021 by Brad Taylor

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Have you ever been down for what seems like “no reason whatsoever”? Even if you haven’t, ask yourself if you have you been doing regular service on your compressed air system. Servicing your compressed air system is important because it helps prevent downtime and having decreased productivity for reasons that could have been avoided.

Air compressor maintenance is simple, necessary, and inexpensive in comparison to the downtime and repairs needed on a machine and/or system that hasn’t been maintained. So how often should your air compressor(s), dryer(s), and oil/water separator(s) (air compressor oil separator) be serviced and what does that include?

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Contents:

1. Rotary Screw Air Compressor and Rotary Vane Air Compressor,
2. Rotary Screw Food Grade Air Compressor,
3. Oil/Water Separators
4. Desiccant Air Dryers
5. Refrigerated Air Dryer

1. Rotary Screw Standard Lubricant Air Compressor and Rotary Vane Air Compressor

  • A Basic PM should be completed every 1000 to 2000 hours
    • Change Air Filter(s),
    • Oil Filter(s),
    • Panel Filter(s) (if applicable),
    • record all running conditions and tighten electrical connections
  • A Full PM should be completed every 4000 hours or every 12 months
    • Change Air Filter(s),
    • Oil Filter(s),
    • Panel Filter(s) (if applicable),
    • Air/Oil Separator(s),
    • Lubricant,
    • Drain Valve(s),
    • and Belt(s),
    • record all running conditions and tighten electrical connections

2. Rotary Screw Food Grade

  • A Basic PM should be completed every 1000 to 2000 hours a basic PM is required
    • Change Air Filter(s),
    • Oil Filter(s),
    • Panel Filter(s),
    • Record all running conditions and tighten electrical connections
  • A Full PM should be completed every 4000 hours or every 12 months
    • Change Air Filter(s),
    • Oil Filter(s),
    • Panel Filter(s),
    • Separator(s),
    • Oil,
    • Drain valve(s),
    • Belt(s),
    • Record all running conditions and tighten electrical connections

3. Oil/Water Separator

  • Basic Checks should be performed every 1000 to 2000 hours of system operation, or every 3 – 6 months
    • Check for proper drainage of the condensate drains to the oil/water separator unit,
    • Check water level,
    • Check for excessive oil build-up within the oil/water separator unit,
    • Perform a basic cleaning
  • A Full PM is required every 9000 hours or every 1-2 years approximately.
    • Check for proper drainage of the condensate drains to the oil/water separator unit,
    • Check water level,
    • Check for excessive oil build-up within the oil/water separator unit,
    • Change Absorption and Carbon Element(s),
    • Perform a thorough cleaning to remove any residual or bulk oil from the unit

4. Desiccant Air Dryers

  • A Basic PM is required every 3 – 6 months of operation
    • Monitor Dew Point,
    • Check Switching Valve(s),
    • Inspect Muffler(s),
    • Inspect Desiccant
  • A Full PM is required every 2 – 5 years of operation, depending on the usage and air quality from the compressors. Excessive oil carryover from the compressors will reduce the the life of the desiccant.
    • Monitor Dew Point,
    • Check Switching Valve(s),
    • Change Muffler(s),
    • Replace Desiccant media,
    • Replace related Pre & Post Line Filtration Elements

5. Refrigerated Air Dryer

  • A Basic PM should be completed every 1000 to 2000 hours
    • Test Drain Valve(s) and Clean Strainer(s),
    • Blow out condenser coil(s),
    • Check suction pressure
  • A Full PM should be completed ever 4000 hours or every 12 months
    • Test Drain Valve(s) and Clean Strainer(s),
    • Blow out condenser coil(s),
    • Check suction pressure,
    • Replace related Pre & Post Line Filtration Elements
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