Like any other machine, air compressors need regular maintenance and periodic replacement of parts that get strained with continuous use. By changing the worn-out components in time, you can ensure optimal functioning and better durability of your unit while also saving time and money on unnecessary repairs.
Inspite of the availability of spare parts in the market at attractive prices, it is critical to procure your air compressor’s components only from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
Purchasing spares from authorised dealers will give you benefits like:
- Warranty
- High product quality
- Longer lifespan
- Higher productivity
- More energy savings
- High reliability
- Ease of service and maintenance
The parts that need to be replaced or replenished include:
Dust filters and oil separators
The air and oil filters, along with the oil separators are critical parts of air compressors. They prevent damage and performance loss caused by dirt in the internal system.
As we know, dust particles from inlet air can damage your air compressor’s rotors. This can reduce the quantity of compressed air delivered to associated tools, with continuous increase in energy consumption.
Dust also lowers the lifespan of the air compressor element and the oil separator. When it gets mixed with the oil that lubricates the rotary screw air compressor, the oil becomes impure and less effective.
Additionally, dust harms the bearings and the bearing housing. It negatively impacts the air compressor element and may even lead to element seizure.
Therefore, it is essential to use only genuine air compressor filters and oil separators when it is time to replace the originally-fitted units. Such filters have strong dirt reduction capabilities and are devised to endure high operating pressures and fluctuating temperatures while maintaining efficient performance with low power consumption.
Air filter
If you replace your air compressor’s line filter cartridge with a counterfeit piece, it will reduce the filter’s efficiency and allow impurities to enter the air network. This will result in pressure drops, high energy consumption by the compressed air system and overall quality of output air.
Using a non-genuine filter will also result in frequent replacements or repairs, leading to a higher total lifecycle cost of the air compressor. Hence, always insist on buying genuine airline filters.
Lubricating oil
A key consumable in oil-injected air compressors, the lubricating oil absorbs heat and ensures efficient running go the compressed air system.
While some users have a notion that ‘any oil’ can be used for lubrication, the fact is that a poor quality oil reduces the durability of an air compressor. If oil lubricates the system components ineffectively, it can cause the formation of sediment in oil circuits and over the moving parts. Such developments increase the risk of oil oxidation and corrosion of metal parts in the compressed air system.
Using genuine oil or lubricating fluid offered by your air compressor supplier can ensure effective lubrication, prevent equipment breakdown and derive better performance from your rotary screw air compressor.
Genuine, high-grade air compressor oil combines the finest quality of case oil with required amounts of additives that make the product suitable for lubricating an industrial compressed air system. It is viscous at low temperature and has high oxidation resistance.
With a genuine lubricating oil, you will need to top-up less frequently, have lower disposal cost, require less maintenance and reduce downtime incidents.
Other points to remember
Besides procuring spare parts and consumable fluids from OEMs and recognised suppliers, it is also critical to have a proper service kit comprising the hand tools for safe replacement of parts. And for best results, you should get your compressed air system serviced only by experienced service personnel.
ELGi offers a range of industrial-grade air compressors for reliable functioning. We also provide related spare parts that maximise the uptime of your air compressor system and reduce operating costs. With our annual maintenance contract (AMC), you get the assurance of always getting compatible and long-lasting parts along with on-time service by professionals.
