Regulator Air
Regulator Air I have an air compressor and brad nailer but, my question is do i need an air regulator to operate my nail gun my air compressor has a pressure switch on @ 80psi and pressure switch...
Regulator Air
Air Compressor Regulator
One of the important parts of an air compressor is the air-regulator unit. When you purchase a brand new air compressor that are commonly used in portable pneumatic or air tools, a filter-regulator unit is already installed. Sometimes, some cheap air compressors only install an air-regulator without the filter to cut cost, but in some reputable brand like Ingersoll-Rand Air Compressors, are equipped with modular air filter-regulator unit. All pneumatic equipments including pneumatic actuators, valves and air-tools have a desired operating pressure to operate and to function properly. Too low will make them to malfunction or stop functioning, too high pressure causes the seal to pop-up and leak. It is important to set the pressure before connecting your favorite air-tools, if you accidentally connect an air tool that supposed to have 85 psi to a 200 psi air supply it could be very dangerous and might explode or damage the tool itself.
This is where the compressor regulator comes into action. The air regulator maintains the preset air pressure before going to the system. If the pressure from the compressor tank increases the air regulator will still maintain the preset pressure. The air regulator can only prevent the air pressure from exceeding the desired pressure but it cannot compensate it if the pressure from the air tank drops below the desired pressure. If for some reason the pressure from the secondary side increases, it has a built-in relief valve that allows it to bleed the excess pressure until it reaches the set pressure. It has a big knob on top of it that can be turn to adjust the pressure output. A pressure gauge is also included to monitor the secondary pressure. Without the gauge it will be impossible to adjust the air regulator because you have no way of telling how much pressure is present on the secondary side. In some air compressors you will see 2 sets of gauge, that's for the primary and the secondary side.
If you purchase an air regulator, you should know the size of the regulator you need to buy. The size is designated by the flow rate capacity. As the flow rate capacity increases the port size also increases, it is actually directly proportional to each other. So, you can also use the port size as the basis of the air regulator sizing. For example if your existing air regulator has a ¼" port, then you should buy a ¼" air regulator. The air regulator are not commonly available in most hardware, you can probably find them in hardware stores who sells air compressors. Some specific companies also sells them, like SMC Pneumatics who sells pneumatic valves, actuators and compressor accessories like filter, regulator, air-dryer, main line filter and after coolers. Other pneumatic companies like FESTO, Bosh, CKD, Bimba also sells them.
About the Author
If you need a reliable and affordable air tools, you can visit www.ingersollrandairtools.net. Here you will find various Ingersol-Rand pneumatic tools and accessories.