What causes a screw air compressor to shut down?

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It is already September in Guangdong, and the weather remains hot and scorching; it is also a period with a high incidence of fires. When air compressors operate in such weather conditions, a large amount of heat is generated. As part of their built-in self-protection mechanisms, they shut down automatically; in other words, the screw air compressor becomes overloaded and its protector disconnects, causing the compressor to stop working. When an air compressor suddenly shuts down and cannot operate properly, it not only affects production efficiency and causes delays in work, but also results in significant losses for the company. There are many reasons that can cause a screw air compressor to shut down abruptly. Do you know what they are? I. The influence of external environmental factors. When the indoor temperature is too high, screw compressors are also prone to shutting down abruptly. II. The quality of lubricating oil. The quality of lubricant also affects the operation of air compressors. Low-quality lubricating oil can cause the sliding spool to get stuck when passing through the temperature control valve, preventing the valve spool from closing completely; as a result, some of the oil flows directly through the bypass to the machine itself, resulting in inadequate cooling effects. If the temperature of the air compressor cannot be effectively controlled, it will lead to a shutdown due to high temperatures. III. Start under pressure. Inspect the pressure gauge on the oil and gas tank of the screw compressor on site; if the gauge shows pressure, it can be preliminarily inferred that the system may not have been fully depressurized, resulting in the compressor starting under pressure. This leads to an excessively high starting current, which causes the air switch to trip in order to protect the unit. This is because in screw air compressors, it is common for there to still be pressure in the system after the compressor stops operating, due to faults in the minimum pressure valve or blockages in the pressure relief system. IV. Electrical device failures. During use, air switches may experience a reduction in their set starting time due to factors such as vibration, which can also lead to tripping at the moment of startup. V. Air compressor overload. Excessive resistance in the screw air compressor head can cause the starting current of the compressor to be high, resulting in overload of the compressor and thus the tripping of the air switch. The role of lubricating oil in screw air compressors is extremely important, and it is manifested in four main aspects: lubrication, cooling, sealing, and noise reduction. The quality of the oil as well as the amount of oil used have a direct impact on the proper operation of the compressor and its service life; this effect is particularly noticeable in the compressor’s head section. VI. Failure of the unloading valve. The unloading valve is an important component of screw air compressors; its main function is to control the loading and unloading of the unit, that is, to regulate the amount of air intake to the compressor. Screw air compressors tripping often occurs in summer, causing considerable trouble for users and disrupting normal production activities. Therefore, maintaining a dry and well-ventilated working environment – just as people need a comfortable environment while working – can significantly improve the efficiency of machinery and extend the service life of air compressors.