If the air compressor develops a leak, what keeps air in the tanks?

If the air compressor develops a leak, what keeps air in the tanks?

• A. The one-way check valve
• B. The pressure relief valve
• C. The governor
• D. The air dryer

Answer: (A)

The one-way check valve between the compressor and the air tanks is what keeps air in the tanks. It allows air to flow into the tanks when the compressor is pumping, but it prevents air from flowing back toward the compressor when the pump isn’t pushing or if there’s a small leak in the line. This backflow prevention is what maintains the stored air pressure in the tanks after the compressor stops. The other components have different roles: the pressure relief valve vents if pressure gets too high, the governor controls when the compressor turns on and off to maintain system pressure, and the air dryer removes moisture from the air.

The one-way check valve between the compressor and the air tanks is what keeps air in the tanks. It allows air to flow into the tanks when the compressor is pumping, but it prevents air from flowing back toward the compressor when the pump isn’t pushing or if there’s a small leak in the line. This backflow prevention is what maintains the stored air pressure in the tanks after the compressor stops. The other components have different roles: the pressure relief valve vents if pressure gets too high, the governor controls when the compressor turns on and off to maintain system pressure, and the air dryer removes moisture from the air.