The first relevant question that we all have in our mind is why air compressor fittings are essential? Well, they help to keep your unit running efficiently and also deliver the air power required for your operations. It would be better to have a brief knowledge of the types of air compressor fittings available in order to choose the right components that suit your specific model requirement.
Air compressor fittings maintain a consistent flow of air and pressure throughout the compressor. As each fitting has a different role, it is important to know that they are all crucial to managing your unit’s and functionality health.
While replacing the fittings on your air compressor, it would be better to start by checking the size you need. Usually, air compressor fitting sizes follow the National Pipe Tapered (NPT) standard. With the help of NPT, you would be able to measure and determine the size of your pipes for a fitting. You can easily source the various air compressor fittings you would require with this information.
An overview of couplers, connectors, and plugs
Couplers
Couplers provide the connection of the air compressor to the airlines. Once the air hose is disconnected, the coupler closes in order to prevent air from escaping. Plus, Couplers also come in a range of styles, including industrial, automotive, ARO and V-style.
Usually, there are two major types of couplers, automatic and manual. Automatic fittings enable you to plug your airlines directly. They are capable of quickly sealing the air opening when the hose part is removed.
This enables the O-ring connection to close completely. Whereas manual couplers needed to pull on the collar of the coupler to remove and insert the air hose. It is important to hold it tightly when the line is removed. The coupler will expel the tool as compressed air escapes.
Plugs
As far as couplers and plugs both are concerned, they go together. While choosing the style of your preference for your coupler, just keep in mind that you need the same style for the plug. Secondly, you also need to check flow size, or the volume of air the plug can easily manage. Usually, standard air compressors require a plug with a 1/2-inch or in some cases, 1/4-inch flow size.
Plugs come in industrial, automotive, ARO and V-style designs same as couplers. The style of fitting depends a lot on personal preference, as industrial and automotive variants are considered more common and easier to find at hardware stores. Quality is the most important factor while buying an air compressor plug. Therefore, it is recommended to consider a brand with known quality to prevent compressed air leaks.
Connectors
As there are several different compressed air fitting types, manufacturers understand how difficult it has become to find the one needed. Hence, companies have now started to colour-coordinate their plugs and couplers. Yellow for V-style, Red for Automotive, Blue for ARO, and Green for Industrial.
Learn to connect air compressor fittings
Get familiar with the basics
So let’s take the first step with brushing up some basics. So now you have an air compressor that has a discharge coupler along with it. In case there’s no such thing, you would certainly experience air flowing out of the air-line end. So the thing is that air flows through the regulator and goes directly all the way out to the line’s end. The coupler installed would provide help to prevent air from flowing out.
Look for a flap check valve in that discharge coupler part and sometimes there’s a tiny ball as a substitute. This is the mechanism that actually stops air from flowing through it. You can easily use it until the mating connector is plugged.
Once the compressor has enough run and the tank is full, you are free to use the entire air inside. Now the real question is that how to transfer that tank air to the tool? Well, for that, you must have a hose or flexible air-line. See connecting devices on both ends in order to connect the air hose. There is a possibility that you may require an extra coupler or connector, especially in short fittings.
Figure out the type
Make sure that the fitting remain on the hose end. In most cases, the air hoses end has a threaded male fitting. In order to proceed further, you need to figure out the type first. With the ease of such easy-to-connect or disconnect fittings, you would be able to make the hose removable. Secondly, It could be for the air compressor itself or the air accessories you look forward to connecting with.
Thread the air hose
Now you have to properly fit the female part into one end of the hose tightly next. Make use of tools, one for the air hose and another to hold fitting. It is better to avoid over-tightening it. You just need to use the Teflon tape and simply wrap other ends after connecting male fitting.
Connect the hose male fitting
Now it’s time to use another female coupler fitting. It is usually placed on the compressor or tank. Just do the same tightening job and simply connect the hose’s male fitting with the tank’s female coupler. And it’s done, the connection is made.
