timgunn1962
Member
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- 310
- Location
- Lancashire UK
Some fairly wild generalisations, based on several years experience: We use 3 HP, mostly 150L, piston compressors to supply control air for the pneumatics on remote sites. We use 3-phase for preference, but we have a lot of single-phase too, as they are usually quicker to get hold of if there's a problem and we need a replacement in a hurry.
Most 3 HP/2.2 kW single-phase compressors will run ok from a 13A fused plug, but not all. The fuse in the plug is not normally the limitation. It is more often the circuit breaker supplying the 13A socket that trips. I've had lots of 3 HP compressors trip on B16 circuit breakers and I've had a fair few trip B32 circuit breakers, even when they are the only thing on the circuit. C16 breakers don't usually have a problem: I've had them trip, but when they do, there is usually a problem with the compressor (typically the pastille in the NRV is passing and needs replacing, or a start capacitor is on it's way out). In a typical home workshop, keeping a pack of 13A fuses near the socket will generally cover the occasional popped fuse with only a little cussing.
A good 0.01 micron coalescing filter with a float-operated autodrain will take out the oil mist and any water mist. The only way you'll get condensation further on down the line is if the temperature drops any lower, so it wants to be at the coldest point in the system. Putting it immediately before the regulator will help a bit: the pressure reduction/volume increase reduces the partial pressure of water vapour and lowers the dewpoint slightly, so you can probably live with a couple of degrees further drop in temperature without condensing anything further out.
Most 3 HP/2.2 kW single-phase compressors will run ok from a 13A fused plug, but not all. The fuse in the plug is not normally the limitation. It is more often the circuit breaker supplying the 13A socket that trips. I've had lots of 3 HP compressors trip on B16 circuit breakers and I've had a fair few trip B32 circuit breakers, even when they are the only thing on the circuit. C16 breakers don't usually have a problem: I've had them trip, but when they do, there is usually a problem with the compressor (typically the pastille in the NRV is passing and needs replacing, or a start capacitor is on it's way out). In a typical home workshop, keeping a pack of 13A fuses near the socket will generally cover the occasional popped fuse with only a little cussing.
A good 0.01 micron coalescing filter with a float-operated autodrain will take out the oil mist and any water mist. The only way you'll get condensation further on down the line is if the temperature drops any lower, so it wants to be at the coldest point in the system. Putting it immediately before the regulator will help a bit: the pressure reduction/volume increase reduces the partial pressure of water vapour and lowers the dewpoint slightly, so you can probably live with a couple of degrees further drop in temperature without condensing anything further out.