A drain valve is a device that allows you to easily and quickly empty fluid from a container or system. Drain valves are found on air compressors, among other types of equipment. This article will discuss the purpose of drain valves on air compressors and how to use them properly.

What is Drain Valve?

A drain valve is a simple on-off air outlet valve. It allows air to be quickly and easily discharged from the system, which can help with air compressor maintenance and air compressor safety. Drain valves are typically found on air compressors with an oil reservoir or wet end. By opening a drain valve, air can be discharged from the air compressor quickly and efficiently. This makes it much easier to empty the air compressor of any water or oil that may have accumulated in the system.

Purpose

The primary purpose of a drain valve is to quickly and easily discharge air from a compressor system. This can help with air compressor maintenance and air compressor safety.

Air and oil can become trapped in the air compressor air lines and reservoir during air compressor use. This air and oil accumulate over time, and it is essential to drain this air from your air system regularly.

Drain valves also help with air compressor safety by speeding up airline draining that would occur during an emergency shut down. In this case, air compressors are typically equipped with air dryers or air filters. 

These devices remove moisture from the air to prevent rust and scale from forming on air compressor components. However, once the air is compressed, it contains a great deal of heat and moisture that needs to be removed by an air dryer or air filter system.

How to use the air compressor Drain Valve?

Drain valves can be used to quickly and easily discharge air from an air compressor system. To do so, open the airline drain valve until all air has escaped from the air system. Check all airlines for air leaks before closing them off.

When air is being drained from an air compressor system, it can be helpful to have a proper air tank drain or a catch pan placed under the airline drain valve. This will help prevent oil and water that has accumulated in the airlines from spilling onto your floor.

Compressors come with several types of drain valves.

• Solenoid valve air compressor drain valve

One common type of airline drain valve found on air compressors is called a solenoid air compressor drain valve. An electrical signal activates this airline drain valve, and it can be turned off or closed by hand with the flip of a switch. However, this air compressor must first be shut off before the solenoid air compressor drain valve can be used.

• Air-operated drain valves.

Another type of airline drain valve is called an air-operated drain valve. This airline drain valve is opened and closed by air pressure and does not require any electrical input. An air-operated drain valve is typically activated by the air compressor when it is turned off.

• Quick-open air compressor drain valve

A quick-open air compressor drain valve is an air-operated drain valve that can be opened quickly. This airline drain valve is typically used to release air from an air compressor system quickly.

When using a quick-open air compressor drain valve, it is important to be aware of the air pressure in the air compressor system. If the air pressure is too high, the quick-open air compressor drain valve can be damaged.

• Zero Loss air compressor drain valves

Another type of airline drain valve is called a zero-loss air compressor drain valve. These airline drain valves are used with oil-lube air compressors, allowing air to flow both ways through the air system. A zero-loss air compressor drain valve can be particularly useful for air compressors that are equipped with air dryers or air filters. These airline drain valves can help air with water and oil to properly drain back into the air compressor system instead of spilling onto the floor.

How to install and maintain drain valves?

It is important to properly install and maintain your air compressor’s drain valves to ensure proper air compressor function. If you do not have any experience working with air compressors, it is best to consult a professional before attempting to install or maintain your drain valves.

When installing an air compressor’s drain valves, it is important to ensure that the valves are properly aligned with the air compressor’s lines. If the valves are not properly aligned, they may not function correctly.

It is also important to make sure that the seals on an air compressor’s drain valves are in good condition and properly lubricated. If the seals are damaged, they may leak air from the air compressor system.

If an air compressor’s drain valves are not properly maintained, they may become clogged with dirt or debris. This can prevent the proper drainage of air from the air compressor system and may lead to damage to the air compressor.

Keeping the area around an air compressor’s drain valves clean and free from debris is also important. Debris in the area around an air compressor’s drain valves can block or clog up the drains, preventing proper air drainage from the system.

Applications

Air compressor drain valves are often installed in the following applications:

1. Industrial air compressors are used in construction, manufacturing, and other industrial settings.
2. Fleet vehicles or transport trucks that use air compressors to inflate tires.
3. Medium-sized home workshops equipped with an air compressor.
4. Large commercial shops, garages, or workshops that use air compressors to power tools and equipment.
5. Automotive repair shops that use air compressors to power brake blowers and other automotive equipment.

Air compressor drain valves are designed to release excess air from an air compressor system. There are a few different types of air-operated drain valves that can be used depending on the user’s needs, and it is important to select the correct type of drain valve for your specific application.