12-ENGD27042
Air Distribution System
Risk of Bursting.
Plastic or PVC pipe
is not designed for use with
compressed air. Regardless of its
indicated pressure rating, plastic
pipe can burst from air pressure.
Use only metal pipe for air
distribution lines.
The next figure represents a typical
air distribution system. The following
are tips to remember when setting up
the air compressor’s air distribution
system.
● Use pipe that is the same size as
the air tank outlet. Piping that is
too small will restrict the flow of
air.
● If piping is over 100 feet long,
use the next larger size.
● Bury underground lines below
the frost line and avoid pockets
where condensation can gather
and freeze. Apply pressure
before underground lines are
covered to make sure all pipe
joints are free of leaks.
● A flexible coupling is
recommended to be installed
between the air discharge outlet
and main air distribution line to
allow for vibration.
● A separate regulator is
recommended to control the air
pressure. Air pressure from the
tank is usually to high for
individual air driven tools.
DRAIN
TRAP
DRAIN
TRAPS
DRAIN
LEGS
MOISTURE
SEPARATOR
AND TRAP
DIRT
LEG
DIRT
LEG
LUBRICATOR
REGULATOR
FILTER
AIR DISCHARGE
VALVE
LUBRICATOR
MAIN DISTRIBUTION AIR LINES
Slope pipe in direction of air flow.
Water condensate flows along
bottom of pipe to drain legs,
preventing it from entering feeder
lines.
REGULATOR
FLEXIBLE
COUPLING
DRAIN COCK
VALVE
TYPICAL COMPRESSED
AIR DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
AIR FLOW
AIR FLOW
FEEDER LINES SLOPE
WITH AIR FLOW
AIR USAGE
LINES
AIR
COMPRESSOR