Maintenance Tips to Minimize Industrial Vacuum Pump Repairs and Prolong Its Life

If you have a vacuum pump in your business, it is your responsibility to maintain it so as to prolong its usable life. As with most pieces of equipment and machinery, a vacuum pump is bound to need repairs at some point during its operations. However, some factors can cause regular breakdowns and increase downtime in your business. Here you will learn some maintenance tips that will help minimize vacuum pump repairs, reduce downtime, and extend its durability.

Change the oil regularly

One of the common causes of vacuum pump failure is contaminated rotary pump oil. The oil is what keeps the pump pumping. It lubricates the pumping components and collects moisture and contaminants from the evacuated system. When it's concentrated with contaminants and moisture, it is unable to pick up more, and this can significantly reduce the pumps efficiency. To change the oil, you need to drain all the old out and add new oil. Run the pump for a few minutes before adding the new oil to make sure that all the old oil has been drained. If your pump runs 24/7, the oil should be changed at least after every three to four months.

Control the temperature

Pumps require an environment with adequate ventilation and proper temperatures to operate optimally. Extreme heat and lack of or inadequate ventilation can cause vital components to overheat during operation. This can reduce the pump's efficiency or cause it to stop working. To avoid such problems, make sure that the pump is operating in a room with optimal temperatures. Don't place it in a hot room or near equipment that dissipates extreme heat. Also, make sure that the room has adequate ventilation to allow air circulation.

Protect the intake port

Vacuum pumps have an intake port that sucks air from an enclosed space to create a vacuum. The intake port is designed to suck anything in its way, whether you intend it or not. For this reason, it can easily absorb liquids and solids if care is not taken during its operation. If the liquids and solids find their way into the pump, they can damage pump components and cause premature failure. They can also cause oxidation which may result in corrosion and degradation of pump components. However, you can avoid this by ensuring that the environment around the intake port is free of solid or liquid contaminants before using the pump.

Observe these preventive maintenance tips to protect your industrial vacuum pump from premature failure. However, if the pump breaks down, utilize the services of a professional repairs contractor.