Mechanical components comprise a major part of any plant air system. They include dryers, filters, accumulators, piping connections, and piping supports; none of which electricians maintain. Sadly, in most plants mechanics don’t maintain them either.
Problems with mechanical components often create problems with electrical ones. For example, worn or broken pipe supports can cause vibration to be sent back to the motor. In one plastics plant, it took three compressor motor replacements before this cause was identified. They chalked it up as a “who wooda thunk” issue.
What’s not a “who wooda thunk” issue is inadequate compressor maintenance. The motor drives the compressor. So what happens when the motor overloads trip or the motor burns up? Does anyone ask why that happened or just chalk it up to bad luck?
Potential causes include a clogged inlet filter or lubricant filter that should have been changed long ago. What about the compressor lubricant that becomes saturated with water?
If the cause is not identified and solved, the electricians simply chase their own tail replacing the motor.
