Air tool specialist, Chicago Pneumatic, have issued some useful advice on how to set up an air line correctly as part of its Expert Corner technical advice series.

The company says there are 3 simple steps to make sure an air line installation is providing the right pressure and that the accessories selection is correct.

Step 1 is to calculate if there is an air pressure drop between the FRL and the tool. This is achieved by firstly reading the Filter Regulator Lubricator gauge value and then measuring the dynamic pressure at the tool’s inlet. The user then calculates the difference between the two values to see if there is a drop in air pressure between the FRL and the tool.

Chicago Pneumatic say in most air tool installations, the pressure drops occurs between the pipe-end and the tool. To identify where pressure is being lost users need to by check that accessories have been selected and installed properly. There are various points to inspect, the main ones being, at the tool inlet, the couplings/nipples and hose connections, as well as the FRL.

To avoid pressure drops the user needs to make sure that accessories have the correct diameters and thread sizes/types, that the hose is not longer than needed and that clamps are properly tightened.

Once the user is confident that all accessories have been selected and installed correctly, the dynamic pressure at the tool’s inlet needs to be measured again. Adjustments can then be made to the FRL regulator to ensure that a reading of 90 psi / 6.3 bars at the tool inlet is being achieved.

Further information, a self-diagnostic checklist and a full detailed guide on how to get the right air line installation can be downloaded in the Expert Corner section at www.cp.com