Drain valves remove condensate from receivers, dryers and filters, and their reliability determines whether water stays out of the compressed air system. A failed drain lets condensate flood the air line and contaminate the process.
Drain valve types
- Manual ball valve
- Timer-controlled solenoid
- Float-operated valve
- Zero-loss or demand drain
Choosing
Manual drains are simple but depend on discipline. Timer drains are low cost but waste air or drain too rarely. Zero-loss drains open only when condensate is present, so they save compressed air and still protect the system.
Maintenance
Test drains during every service and clean strainers and orifices that block with sludge. A blocked drain is a common and silent cause of wet air, so make drain checking a fixed part of the preventive maintenance schedule.