Air compressor keeps tripping limit switch

[slash007]

Yesterday we had a power outage in the area that lasted about 3 hours. After the outage, I had to push the reset button on my compressor in order to get it going again. This wasn't a big deal as I've had to do that before after an outage. What is unusual though is that now I have had to reset it it 4 times since this morning. I have never had this issue before and was wondering what possible caused I could look for? I am not sure what brand compressor it it, but it is a large one that powers my whole wash including my Ryko Foam Brite which keeps going down when the compressor stops working. Any tips or suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[soapy]

You need to watch the compressor and determine exactly when it is tripping the CB. 1. After it shuts off there should be a air bleed off of the pistons so that when it starts it is not starting against a pressure load. If the bleed off is not working the compressor probably won't start under pressure and will trip the CB. You also need to see that it is shutting off when it reaches the High pressure limit. Some times the Breakers themselves will get weak after a few years and need to be replaced.

 

[APW]

If it's three phase check your starter or contactor and make sure one of the points aren't messed up. That can cause it to single phase and trip the switch.

 

[I.B. Washincars]

If it's three phase check your starter or contactor and make sure one of the points aren't messed up. That can cause it to single phase and trip the switch.

I agree that I would look here first. Since it happened after an outage, the chance that it could have lost a phase momentarily is a real possibility.

 

[Kevin James]

If there was a little more information maybe you’d get a good answer. I’m guessing that it’s a single phase 5 hp motor. If it is, the power surge probably damaged the start capacitor or the start switch. We’d replace the motor, take the motor from the compressor to an electric motor and have it tested.

 

[slash007]

Thanks for all of the replies. I drained the water really good this morning and restarted it, and so far it has been running without tripping for about 5 hours. I'll keep an eye on it and if it trips again I'll investigate further. I have to leave town tonight, so fingers crossed that it will keep working.

 

[cdreed06]

Glad it is working now, I was going in the single phase direction too.