Safeties for air compressor - Every Air compressor on a ship is fitted with several safety features to avoid

abnormal and dangerous operational errors of the equipment. If safety, alarms and trips are not present on
the air compressor, abnormal operation may lead to breakdown of the compressor and may also injure a
person working on or around it. Different safety features on an air compressor are

1. Relief valve: Fitted after every stage to release excess pressure developed inside it. The setting of the lifting
pressure increases after every ascending stage. Normally fitted between 1st stage and intercooler and 2nd
stage – aftercooler.

2. Bursting disc: A bursting disc is a copper disc provided at the air cooler of the compressor. It is a safety
disc which bursts when the pressure exceeds over the pre-determined value due to leaky air tubes of the
cooler (intercooler or aftercooler).

3. Fusible plug: Generally located on the discharge side of the compressor, it fuses if the air temperature is
higher than the operational temperature. The fusible plug is made up of material which melts at high
temperature.

4.Lube Oil low pressure alarm and trip: If the lube oil pressure goes lower than the normal, the alarm is
sounded followed by a cut out trip signal to avoid damage to bearings and crank shaft.

5. Water high temperature trip: If the intercoolers are choked or the flow of water is less, then the air
compressor will get over heated. To avoid this situation high water temperature trip is activated which cut
offs the compressor.

6. Water no-flow trip: If the attached pump is not working or the flow of water inside the intercooler is not
enough to cool the compressor then moving part inside the compressor will get seized due to overheating. A
no flow trip is provided which continuously monitor the flow of water and trips the compressor when there is
none.

7. Motor Overload trip: If the current taken by motor during running or starting is very high then there is a
possibility of damage to the motor. An overload trip is thus fitted to avoid such situation. Maintenance A
compressor requires a proper planned routine maintenance for safe and efficient operation and to avoid
breakdown maintenance. Routine for maintenance depends on the manufacturer’s advice given in the
manual.

The following are the maintenance checks that should be carried out after the mentioned running hours.

@ 250hrs: 1) Clean air filter. 2) Check un-loader operation. 3) If belt is provided for driving cooling water
pump, check its tightness.

@ 500hrs: 1) Change lube oil and clean sump. 2) Clean lube oil filter. 3) Check and renew suction and
discharge valves with overhauled one.

@ 1000 hrs: 1) Crankcase inspection, main and big end bearing inspection. 2) Relief valve overhauling.

@ 4000 hrs: 1) Piston and big end bearing overhauling, piston ring renewal. 2) Intercooler cleaning. 3) Motor
overhauling. Running hour may differ from maker to maker..
6S60MC-C (Engine Specifications)

6- no of cylinders

S- Superlong

60- Bore Dia.(cms)

M- Engine Version

C- Camshaft controlled

C- Compact- Thrust pad inside the engine frame