What are air compressor components?

[wilsonsmith]

The air compressor comprises of four basic components, namely:

• Electric motor, which powers the compressor pump by driving a pulley and two belts. The power is transferred from the motor to the pump via a crankshaft and a flywheel. A magnetic starter is also installed here to prevent damage to motor due to thermal overload.
• Compressor pump, which compresses the incoming air, and then discharges it into the receiver. In case of two stage compressors, the air usually needs to pass through two cylinders. First, a low-pressure, larger cylinder, and then a higher pressure smaller cylinder.
• Receiver tank, which stores the compressed air, and the receiver valve which prevents the air from flowing back into the air compressor pump.
• Pressure switch, which shuts down the motor when the compressed air reaches the receiver tank’s factory-set limit.

However, air compressors require installing a few more components for effective and efficient operation. They include:

• Air dryers and after-coolers, to cool the hot compressed air, and prevent the system from overheating and consequent damage.
• Air filtration and moisture removal pipelines, which need to be installed for draining out the condensed moisture from the air compressor system before it reaches the tool.
• Air lubricator for use in tools that require lubrication. Be careful not to use them for those that don’t, since you can risk contamination.
• Pressure gauge, which measures and regulates the air pressure to tools. They require being installed in drop lines for each tool.
• Shut-off valves need to be installed in each drop line so as to isolate the accessories from the air compressor for servicing purposes.

Edited November 21, 2017 by Ron Dudelston
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