What is the air compressor governor controls

One of the main indicators of air compressors is the working pressure. For such purposes air compressor governors are used.

Compressor governor design

Air compressor governors are divided into two types: normally open and normally closed. The first ones turn on the compressor when the air pressure is higher, and the second ones when the pressure drops below a certain level. The acting systems are spring mechanisms with varying degrees of stiffness, reproducing the reaction to fluctuations in the air pressure unit.

It all works as follows:

  • after starting the compressor motor in the receiver, pressure begins to rise.
  • since the air pressure regulator is connected to the receiver, the compressed air enters the membrane unit of the air compressor governor.
  • the membrane under the action of air bends upward and compresses the spring.
  • the springs act as an actuating element of the pressure switch, whose compression force changes through a special screw. Typically, the compression force of the springs is set at around 6 bars.

Adjusting of the governor

There is also the ability to manually adjust the air compressor governor. But it is worth remembering that only the lower switching threshold will be changed, since, after changing the upper switching threshold to the side of increase, air will be discharged by a safety valve. The spring, compressing, activates a switch that opens the contacts, after which the unit engine stops.

When the compression level in the receiver decreases, the membrane installed in the pressure regulator bends down. The spring unclenches, and the switch closes the contacts, after which the engine starts. A mandatory element is a pressure relief valve. The valve is connected to the air duct located between the receiver and the compressor. When the compressor drive is turned off, it will release 2 bars of compressed air into the environment, unloading the moving elements of the compressor from excessive force.

Due to this, the engine overload at the maximum torque is prevented. When starting an unloaded engine, the valve closes without undue load on the actuator. With a further start or acceleration of the electric motor, an onslaught is created that closes the valve. This prevents overloading the drive and simplifies starting the device in off mode. An integral part is also a mechanical switch, which is required to start and stop automatic system options.

So, with the help of the compressor regulator, the operation of the electric motor drive is regulated and the failure of moving parts is prevented.