An air compressor governor is an important component that regulates the pressure output of a compressed air system. It is also known as the pressure regulator or control valve.
So, what does the air compressor governor do? The purpose of the air compressor governor is to prevent the over-pressurization of the air compressor. A faulty air compressor governor can damage several components of the machine and may cause an air compressor explosion.
In this article, we will detail the symptoms of a bad air governor and how to identify them.
What are the symptoms of bad air governor?
Pressure abnormalities
The symptoms of a bad air governor manifest in a variety of pressure issues, including:
- Inconsistent pressure
- Excessive pressure
- Inadequate pressure
- Repeated activation of the pressure relief valve
Let’s break down these symptoms one by one:
Inconsistent pressure
You may notice the inconsistent pressure in many ways. For instance, the pressure output of your air compressor may fluctuate too abruptly, which makes it impossible to run some pneumatic tools. This is why your air compressor may indicate specific characteristics that can operate several tools. However, when you install a pneumatic tool, it just doesn’t work.
The other way to detect inconsistent pressure caused by a bad air governor is the rapid changes in the pressure gauge. So, if you suspect that the air governor of your compressor is malfunctioning, make sure to closely monitor the readings on the pressure gauge.
Excessive pressure
In some cases, a bad air governor will push the air compressor to produce too much pressure. Although you may think that this is an advantage, it can have disastrous results. Chronic excessive pressure can potentially weaken the air tank and cause an explosion.
Inadequate pressure
Conversely, a dysfunctional air governor may lead to insufficient pressure generation by the air compressor. Consequently, you won’t be able to use the compressor for most pneumatic applications.
Unfortunately, people may spend hundreds of dollars on other components in an attempt to fix this problem. In reality, a simple replacement of the air governor would do the trick.
Get a new air compressor governor on Amazon by clicking here.
Repeated activation of the pressure relief valve
The final pressure-related sign of a bad air governor is the repeated activation of the pressure relief valve. If you are not familiar with this valve, it’s simply there as a safety mechanism that releases pressure when it reaches a certain level. Therefore, the frequent activation of the pressure relief valve might be a sign that the dysfunctional air governor is causing the compressor pump to produce too much pressure.
Unusual sounds
If you hear unusual sounds from the air compressor, it could mean that the pressure fluctuations are straining the motor, which precipitates mechanical issues.
Focus on any whining or grinding sounds as these are correlated with pressure fluctuations.
Compressor motor dysfunction
A bad air compressor governor can cause the motor to start and stop abruptly. Since the governor stabilizes the pressure, a bad governor can disrupt the cycling of the motor.
Unfortunately, the repeated On and Off of the compressor motor can significantly reduce the lifespan of your machine.
What is the relationship between the air governor and compressor?
The air compressor governor is typically mounted on top of the compressor to monitor and regulate the pressure within the air tank. The pressure is typically predetermined by the manufacturer, which is colloquially known as the cut-in and cut-out pressure.
Here are some approximate numbers:
- The cut-out pressure of air compressors – 115 to 140 PSI
- The cut-in pressure of air compressors – 90 to 100 PSI
The governor will normally cut in 20-25 psi below the cut-out pressure.
Air governor troubleshooting
How do I know if my air compressor governor is bad?
When an air compressor governor is bad, a few symptoms will arise. These include abnormally low or high pressure and pressure level fluctuations. If you notice any trouble with the pressure readings, it may be a symptom of a bad air compressor governor.
Other symptoms of a bad air compressor governor include:
- Whining or grinding noises in the air compressor
- Irregular operation of the compressor motor
- Pressure gauge that shows readings outside the normal range
- Inefficient compressing power
When you adjust an air governor, what pressure are you setting?
The adjustment of the air compressor governor means you will set the cut-in pressure. This is very helpful to maintain a specific pressure when you use a pneumatic tool. For instance, if you want to operate a die grinder, you should adjust the air compressor governor to a PSI of 90. This translates to a steady air pressure supply of 90 PSI.
Air compressor governor adjustment can be helpful for less powerful air compressors to force the pump to maintain a specific range of pressure that’s necessary for the pneumatic tool.
Make sure to read the specifications and pressure requirements of your tools before the air compressor governor adjustment.
Takeaway message
The air compressor governor is an indispensable component that ensures the pressure level of the compressed system is within the normal ranges. A faulty governor can cause an array of symptoms, including pressure irregularities, motor dysfunction, and unusual noises.
We hope that this blog post helped you understand what the air compressor governor does and how to detect a bad governor.
If you have any specific questions about the air compressor governor, please feel free to share them in the comment section below.
