Essential Winter Maintenance for Air Compressors

As winter looms, there is essential maintenance you need to perform, especially if your air compressor is likely to experience temperatures below 5°C.

Air Compressor Maintenance During Winter

If the temperature drops below 5°C, it can cause a variety of problems, including frozen condensate and thickened compressor oil. If these issues are left unchecked, the performance of your compressor is likely to suffer, or your compressor may even break down.

Air Compressors hate cold weather

Take a few simple steps now to avoid the misery and expense of an 'emergency compressor breakdown' call out. As temperatures drop, problems can occur because low temperatures cause several issues with the fluids within the compressor itself and also to the condensate created, when air is compressed and then cooled. Condensate is a mix of (99%) water and (1%) oil.

Air Compressor Condensate will freeze

Condensate tends to collect at low points within the compressed air system. These include, the compressor, separators, receivers, filters and dryers as well as in low points in the compressed air pipework. If temperatures fall low enough this condensate will freeze, blocking pipes or voids within the compressor, dryers, filters and pipework. If there is frozen condensate in the pipework, this can get blown to the downstream, causing damage to the equipment the compressed air system services.

Oil gets thicker in the Air Compressor

Oil tends to get thicker when it is cold, if the oil is aged or of poor quality it may become too viscous. The thicker oil may prevent the compressor from turning freely. This may lead to the electrical system tripping since the electrical load is increased. What's more, if the compressor is not serviced correctly, it is possible that the oil will contain a high level of water which can freeze, causing issues for the compressor at start up or causing damage to the compressor internals.

Air Compressor Dryers and Filters

Dryers and filters built into your compressed air system remove water from the compressed air and prevent any water present from freezing in the downstream pipework and equipment. So keeping your dryers and filters working effectively is important but refrigerated dryers only work effectively at ambient temperatures above 5°C. To protect the rest of your compressed air system, if you have an unheated compressor room you could install heating to help protect your dryer and the rest of your compressed air system. Trace heating and lagging on outside pipe runs will also stop any condensate from freezing within the pipes.

Schedule a Compressor Service

You will always get the best out of your compressor by having it serviced regularly. However, this is even more important during the winter months, when unforeseen issues are more likely to occur.

To give your compressor the best protection, schedule a service with an experienced company. They will know all the elements to check and how to resolve any issues, to ensure your compressor keeps running smoothly throughout the winter.

Cambs Compressors Compressed Air Maintenance Solutions

  • 24 Hour Compressor Emergency Breakdown Call Out

Cambs Compressor Engineering Ltd work with you if you have a equipment or system failure at any time of the day or night, 365 days a year for emergency air compressor repairs.

  • Compressed Air Risk Assessments

Compressed air is essential to many process operations in commercial and institutional settings - however the risks associated with compressed air must be professionally assessed. Compressed air risk assessments are essential for any workplace as compressed air can pose a threat of serious or even fatal consequences.

  • Energy Efficiency Audit & Leak Testing

A compressed air energy efficiency audit and leak testing service helps our customers understand where they have compressed air wastage. It's likely you're paying too much in electricity and potentially experiencing unnecessary maintenance and breakdown costs if this isn't regularly checked.

If you would like more advice about compressor maintenance, Cambs Compressors is always happy to help. Please contact our expert team for more information.

 

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