Pressure Switches
Pressure switches are among the most important pieces of safety equipment found in plants and factories today. They switch on or off, based on pressure. Take for example a well pump. The pump will run until a certain pressure is reached, then it will shut off. If water pressure is too low, the switch will activate a pump to re-pressurize the system. If water pressure is too high, the switch will shut off the pump until the pressure goes down.Pressure Switch Maintenance
If a pipe vibrates, it can cause an older pressure switch to fail or parts to become dislodged. To combat this, pressure gauges should be replaced with some that aren't as sensitive. Your pressure switch manufactures is sure to have a wide variety of vibration-resistant switches.
Another reason for pressure switch failure is the weather. If condensation appears, and then freezes, it can cause damage to the pressure gauge, which can subsequently damage the pressure switch. An oil filled pressure switch discourages condensation so freezing isn't a problem.
Pressure switch maintenance is important if equipment is to run smoothly. Improperly maintained switches can mean a slow, or non-existent reaction in the event of an emergency. The switch compartment and enclosure should be inspected and cleaned on a regular basis. Any parts that appear to be defective should be replaced immediately.
Finding Parts
Fortunately, it's much easier to find replacement parts for pressure switches nowadays. It used to be that one would have to search pages and pages of catalogs in hopes of finding the correct part. If the correct catalog wasn't available, it could mean purchasing a part that didn't quite fit the bill. Fortunately, the Internet provides many venues from which to purchase replacement pressure switches, gauges and other parts. If the part you're looking for is unavailable, your pressure switch manufacturer can provide one custom made.
To find pressure switches, consult tool manufacturers and suppliers.