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One question that you will often hear with regard to commercial compressors is how much oil pressure they need to operate. The oil pressure required will depend on the size, type and intended use of the system. The age of your compressor may also affect oil pressure, because older compressors have more worn parts, which creates gaps that allow for extra oil to flow, thereby reducing pressure in the system. As you compare different compressor types and oil pressure requirements, it is important to understand the difference between useful or net oil pressure and discharge oil pressure. These two measurements apply to different parts of your system, and you must understand which is which to ensure that your compressor is properly lubricated and operating normally. 

Bearings are designed to help the internal components of your compressor glide smoothly around one another without binding. Unfortunately, bearings are a wearable part, and as they get worn down there are gaps in their path which can cause vibration. Knowing the common signs of vibration and bearing wear is a good way to plan for replacements before something goes wrong. 

Commercial compressor electronics are, in many cases, the key to a properly managed HVAC system in any building. These special electronics serve as the brain of your system, allowing you to control how and when your system operates and giving you feedback about performance so you can make more informed decisions about your business. 

When assessing the efficiency of an HVAC/R system, all operating expenses should be considered, including the cost of energy consumption, maintenance, repairs, and eventually equipment replacement. Although a variety of factors can affect the efficiency of HVAC and refrigeration systems, the compressor plays a major role in the overall performance of these systems. The consequences of using an underperforming compressor can be multi-faceted and damaging to your company’s bottom line. By reading the rest of this post, you’ll find out how an inefficient compressor can decrease your profit margin.  

A conventional compressor operates more efficiently if the pressure trapped inside the cylinder head assembly and/or discharge line is released after each cycle. As pressure adds load to the compressor start-up process, finding a way to release it will result in smoother compressor start-ups and a lower starting torque of the motor. These translate into maximum operational reliability, increased system efficiency, and less wear and tear on components.

Heat is a normal consequence of the compression process. However, a compressor that runs too hot is cause for concern mainly because it will need to work harder, for longer periods. Besides consuming more energy, a compressor that operates under intermittent or continuous overheating conditions may fail before its time and, more importantly, when least expected. Currently, compressor overheating is one of the most common causes of commercial refrigeration problems.

A motor protection module is a key component in any healthy compressor system. Many people have never heard of a motor protection module, and have no idea how this particular component helps protect their compressors in the long run. We're here to explain the importance of this part and how it works for you.

When is the last time you thought about the gaskets inside of your compressor? For most people, the answer is not recently. However, if your compressor springs a leak, you will definitely be looking at your gaskets to figure out why they failed. Gaskets play an important role in keeping your compressor tightly sealed, but they also help reduce noise when your compressor is operating. Here's what you need to know about the gaskets inside your compressor today:

Bad compressor valves have plagued HVAC systems for ages. As with any moving part, valves wear down over time, allowing refrigerant to push past the seals and throw the system off balance. Often this leads to flooding and other conditions that cause the compressor to function less efficiently than it should. However, it can be very difficult to diagnose this issue from the outside because there are no visible indications that the compressor is suffering. That's why you need to call in an experienced technician who can solve the problem, right down to the compressor core.

Your commercial refrigeration units were a big investment, and you rely upon them to work dependably year round. Of course, to get the most life out of your refrigerators, you need to make sure that they are being properly maintained according to manufacturer guidelines. This maintenance schedule will help keep things in check and alert you to signs of refrigeration compressor problems before they turn into critical failures.