Question: Why do you need to change your air filter?
Answer:
When to change my compressor filter?
An air compressor is a big purchase for any business. It is visibly important to properly maintain the air compressor and filter elements to protect that investment. Air intake filters are installed in an air compressor to remove any dust or debris the compress may suck in. Dust will cause wear to the compressor element, valves, filters, compressor oil, and any moving parts.
Neglect your air compressor and you will pay the price.
An unclean air or oil filter causes the compressor to run less efficiently. That costs more money to run and the compressor will need to be replaced sooner.
Filters for your rotary screw compressor
All rotary screw air compressor have three filters -- an oil filter, an air inlet filter, and an air/oil separator. Like changing the oil in your machine, replacing the filters will prevent your compressor’s parts from failing prematurely and avoid the oil from becoming contaminated.
Replacing both the air filters and oil filters every 2,000 hours of use, at a minimum, is typical. In dirtier environments, the filters may need to be changed more frequently. Separators are typically manufactured to be used for 8,000 hours. But there are some machines that require the separator to be changed more frequently. This is outlined in your service manual.
How to know it's time to change your compressor?
Change your air compressor filters twice a year. Who's heard that? Don't just take that advice, but actually look for yourself. How's your filter looking?
A filthy air filter is only hurting your air compressor by allowing dirty air from the outside in, plus forcing it to work harder to intake air. If the oil filter gets heavily covered in oily residue before that time, replace it sooner.
As dirt and dust collect on the air filters, impurities move through the system and degrade the quality of compressed air. Moreover, dirty air filters obstruct the system's performance and force the system to exert more energy just to perform basic functions. If the problem persists, dirty air filters can lead to excess energy consumption, costly maintenance, and downtime. Rotary screw air compressor overheating is also sometimes the result of clogged air filters.
Remember, not all air filters are the same.
Oil can damage the quality of the air if it passes through the machine. That oil can get carried to the end of an application. Some of the most affected processes would include pneumatic spray painters, air cleaners, and anything else where oil could corrupt the surface. It’s vital to ensure that if oil is present in the system, it is removed from the compressed air before the air leaves the machine.
Information provided by Chicago Pneumatics
