GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Air Filter
Porous element contained within a metal or plastic housing
attached to the compressor cylinder head which removes
impurities from the intake air of the compressor.
Air Tank
Cylindrical component which contains the compressed air.
Check Valve
Device that prevents compressed air from flowing back from
the air tank to the compressor pump.
Circuit Breaker
Automatically shuts off the compressor if the temperature of
the electric motor exceeds a predetermined limit.
Cut-In Pressure
The low pressure at which the motor will automatically
restart.
Cut-Off Pressure
The high pressure at which the motor will automatically
shut off.
Electric Motor
Device which provides the rotational force necessary to
operate the compressor pump.
Auto On/Off Switch
Control which turns the air compressor on or off. The
pressure switch will not automatically start and control the
compressor unless the manual Auto On/Off switch is in the
Auto On position.
NPT (National Pipe Thread)
A seal thread tape must be used to provide a leak-free seal
on pipe threaded connections.
Pressure Regulator Knob
Regulates the outgoing pressure from the air outlet to the
tool. It is possible to increase or decrease the pressure at
the outlet by adjusting this control knob.
Pressure Switch
Automatically controls the on/off cycling of the compressor.
It stops the compressor when the cut-off pressure in the tank
is reached and starts the compressor when the air pressure
drops below the cut-in pressure.
PSI (Pounds Per Square Inch)
Measurement of the pressure exerted by the force of the
air. The actual psi is measured by a pressure gauge on the
compressor.
Pump
Produces the compressed air with a reciprocating piston
contained within the cylinder.
Regulator Pressure Gauge
Displays the current line pressure. Line pressure is adjusted
by rotating the pressure regulator knob.
Safety Valve
Prevents air pressure in the air tank from rising over a
predetermined limit.
SCFM (Standard Cubic Feet Per Minute) or CFM (Cubic
Feet Per Minute)
A unit of measure of air delivery.
Tank Pressure Gauge
Indicates the pressure in the air tank.
8 – English