For those of us who interface with industrial air compressors day-to-day, it’s that time of year again: maintenance season. Despite a mild winter this past year, it’s always in your best interest to check in with your equipment’s status in order to keep everything functioning effectively and with regularity. As the temperatures warm up, consider the following servicing requirements as the baseline for preventative maintenance.
- Inspect the air filters. Throughout winter, dirt and debris collect in the air filters, impairing the compressor’s effectiveness. Always, always, always check the filters, and swap them out if necessary.
- Examine the belts: If they seem stretched or otherwise worn out, your compressor may lose performance. Check the belts for wear indicators and replace them as needed.
- Check the oil: Dirty oil may cause overheating, so inspect and replace the compressor’s oil as necessary.
- Watch for leaks: Spring is an excellent time to inspect the compressor system for air leaks. Because leaks can cause the compressor to work harder than necessary, higher energy bills and possible compressor damage wouldn’t be out of the question.
- Look over the electric motor: Look for wear or damage to the motor. In particular, hunt for things like frayed or damaged wires, loose connections, or frequent overheating. To stop additional harm, try to address any discovered issues as quickly as possible.
- Schedule professional maintenance: Plan professional maintenance for your equipment. Cullum & Brown is happy to assist in spotting any potential problems and guarantee that your equipment is working as efficiently as possible.
Now, if you’ve already begun to notice something amiss with your production output, we’ve also included some symptoms that your industrial electric motor or air compressor may be experiencing. If any of the following sounds familiar, consider giving us a call to discuss the situation in more detail.
- Strange noises: Loud or unusual noises coming from your air compressor could mean parts are malfunctioning. It’s crucial to have these noises evaluated so as to prevent the situation from becoming more dire.
- Decreased performance: If you find that your industrial air compressor is taking longer than usual to build pressure, this could be a sign that the machinery is not performing efficiently. This could be brought on by components that are worn out or broken, or by other problems that need to be fixed.
- Vibration: If your electric motor or air compressor is shaking or vibrating excessively, there may be a misalignment or other problems that could cause damage. To stop future harm, it’s crucial to have these problems fixed as soon as possible.
- Overheating: As mentioned above, if you notice your electric motor or industrial air compressor is operating hotter than usual, this could mean the air filters are clogged, oil levels are low, or parts are broken (or at risk of breaking). Overheating should be treated ASAP due to the harm it can cause to a number of important components.
- Odd smells: Strange odors emanating from your air compressor often hint at overheating or other serious malfunctions. Burning parts are typically the source of this type of issue, so be sure to find the root cause before things get worse.
- Increased energy costs: If you notice your operation costs going up, your equipment may be suffering from a lack of efficiency due to any of the above causes we’ve mentioned. If your energy bills are starting to look suspect, give this article another read just to be safe.
To avoid further damage and future breakdowns, it’s crucial to have your industrial equipment repaired as soon as you observe any of these symptoms. Even better, try to take action before your equipment starts to cook itself by scheduling regular servicing and maintenance. As we always say, an ounce of preventative maintenance is worth a pound of repair bills.
Give us a call today to help us understand your system’s needs and get a quote. If your machinery breaks down in a worst-case scenario, Cullum & Brown also offers 24/7 emergency servicing from skilled technicians. We’ve been in business for over 135 years, so you can trust that we have the experience to get the job done right.
