Air Compressor Keeps Tripping Reset? (We Have a Fix!)

There is nothing quite as frustrating as your equipment quitting while you’re trying to complete a project. Have you ever been working and suddenly your air compressor trips to reset? Before calling it quits yourself and buying a new air compressor, there are a few things to check that might solve the problem.

If your air compressor keeps tripping reset, it’s doing so because it’s overheating. This might be because your power supply is not large enough to power the compressor. It might also be that the compressor is overheating from running for too long. Lastly, the centrifugal switch may not be functioning properly.

A reset button on an air compression is also known as a thermal cut or safety switch. It can be located on the end or the side of your compressor. In some cases, it’s located inside the wiring of the motor.

The reset button is there for your safety. Its main purpose is to automatically turn off the air compressor’s power when it overheats. If a compressor were to overheat without the presence of a reset button, the motor would be damaged. If your air compressor is tripping, it’s because it’s too hot.

The majority of air compressors have what is called a centrifugal switch. The centrifugal force caused by a rotating shaft (usually a gas engine or electric motor) activates the centrifugal switch.

If you think of it in terms of a car, the centrifugal switch is like first gear. It energizes the start-up windings. Once the compressor motor reaches ¾ of its RPM, it switches gears from the motor windings to the run windings.

Over time, the centrifugal switch can shift out of adjustment, causing it to get stuck in one position. If the centrifugal switch gets stuck in the open position, the windings won’t shift properly. The start windings can’t withstand the heat of the compressor’s full RPM, which will cause the compressor to overheat.

Depending on your comfort level and knowledge of centrifugal switches, you can adjust it yourself or replace it.

First, you want to make sure the points on the contact plate are in the open position. If they’re not, bend the circular spring flat so the points are no longer in contact. If the points are welded shut, then the contact plate needs to be replaced.

If there is light pitting on the surface of the points, you can sand them gently with 400 grit sandpaper. Larger deformities will create an unusable condition, so the contact plate must be replaced.

If the unloader valve isn’t working, it might be the cause of the compressor’s malfunction. Sometimes, some of the compressed air gets trapped over the cylinder piston. That air adds to the load on the motor, potentially forcing it to pull too much power. This can trip a breaker or blow a fuse.

To find out if this is the issue, shut off the tank and unplug it. Then, drain all of the air from the tank. This will relieve the pistons of any excess pressure, allowing the tank to start up normally.

It’s important to occasionally inspect and clean the unloader valve to avoid trapping air over the pistons. If the problem continues, the unloader valve may need to be replaced.

Sometimes, when your air compressor cannot correctly vent itself, it can cause the compressor to continually reset so that the device does not become overheated and damaged. While running the air compressor for an extended time can certainly cause the unit to overheat, clogged vents and filters can also make the compressor overheat even more.

When the air vents and filters are clogged, the machine has to work harder than normal to pull in air from the outside. When the pump and motor are overworked, they can trigger the reset switch. Be sure always to clean the vents and filters on your air compressor and ensure there is no debris, hair, dust, or lint interfering with the machine’s ability to pull in outside air. Part of your routine maintenance on your air compressor should consist of routinely cleaning the vents.

Sometimes, poor maintenance can cause your air compressor to reset continually. This fact is because there may be a mechanical issue within the air compressor that is causing the reset switch to trip before the tank is full.

To ensure that your air compressor is well maintained, you’ll want to perform a routine inspection about every six months to ensure that all the fittings, valves, and gaskets are in good working order. If your air compressor is continually resetting, you may have an issue with a broken pressure valve or possibly a broken gasket. Changing the valve or the gasket will help the compressor reset only when needed and help it maintain appropriate pressure.

There are quite a few reasons why an air compressor may trip to reset. However, you may still have more questions. Here are some questions other people asked related to air compressors and their functions.

Replace the check valve if it won’t start when there’s air in the tank. If the tank is empty of air, replace the pressure switch if it’s not engaging the pump motor. If the pump motor doesn’t start when activated by the pressure switch, the pump motor needs to be replaced.

Air compressors can fail for a number of reasons. If your air compressor is seeing a lot of use, the wear and tear on the unit could cause failure. The lifespan of a compressor varies from model to model, but an older one is more likely to fail simply because of its age. Not properly maintaining the compressor could also cause failure.

The time between oil changes varies with each compressor. Some require the oil to be changed more frequently.

For a rotary screw compressor, the general rule of thumb is to change the oil after 1,000-2,000 service hours.

For a reciprocating compressor, the general rule of thumb is to change the oil every 3 months.

This can be a sign of worn compressor cylinder seals. If the seals are worn, the air will bypass them into the sump instead of filling the tank. Air will then bleed from the oil fill cap.

The reset feature on an air compressor is very important for your safety as well as the compressor’s motor. When the compressor overheats, the reset button will automatically shut it down to avoid hazardous heat levels.

To avoid tripping your air compressor to reset, make sure you’re taking breaks while using it to allow the compressor’s motor to cool. Check that the unit is plugged directly into the wall so that enough power can flow to the compressor. Inspect the centrifugal switch to ensure that it’s working properly and not getting stuck in one position.

It can be frustrating when the air compressor keeps tripping in the middle of a project, but remember, it’s for your protection. Hopefully, one of these solutions will fix the problem so that you can get back to using your air compressor peacefully.