How to deal with the alarm of vacuum oil filter?

When an alarm sounds on the vacuum oil filter, it's important to quickly identify the cause and take appropriate action based on the alarm type. The following are common alarm handling steps and solutions:

Common Alarm Types and Solutions

1. Vacuum Alarm (Vacuum Too High/Too Low)

- Possible Causes:

- Vacuum pump malfunction (oil contamination, wear, poor exhaust).

- System leak (damaged pipes or seals).

- Vacuum gauge or sensor malfunction.

- Oil temperature is too high or there's excessive moisture in the oil, causing an airlock.

- Handling Steps:

1. Check the vacuum pump oil for contamination or insufficient oil. ｒｅｐｌａｃｅ or refill it if necessary (e.g., ISO VG 100 vacuum pump oil).

2. Apply soapy water to the pipes and seals to identify leaks and tighten or ｒｅｐｌａｃｅ the seals.

3. Calibrate or ｒｅｐｌａｃｅ the vacuum sensor/meter.

4. Adjust the heating temperature (generally ≤65°C) to prevent the oil from boiling.

2. Oil Level Alarm (High/Low Level)

- Possible Causes:

- Insufficient oil inlet or clogged oil outlet valve leading to low oil level.

- Stuck float valve or faulty level sensor.

- Action:

- 1. Check the oil inlet line for clear flow and filter blockage.

- 2. Clean or ｒｅｐｌａｃｅ the float valve and reset the level sensor.

- 3. Manually add oil to the normal level (observe the centerline of the sight glass).

- 3. Temperature Alarm (Overtemperature/Undertemperature)

- Possible Causes:

- Heater is out of control or damaged thermocouple.

- Insufficient oil circulation leading to localized overheating.

- Action:

- 1. Immediately shut off the heater and check the thermostat setting (usually 40-60°C).

- 2. Clean any carbides from the heater surface and test the thermocouple resistance for normal operation.

- 3. Ensure the oil pump is operating properly to avoid oil flow stagnation.

- 4. Pressure Alarm (Filter Clogged)

- Possible Causes:

- Filter element has reached the end of its service life (pressure differential > 0.3 MPa).

- Excessive impurities in the oil or oil quality deterioration.

- Action:

1. ｒｅｐｌａｃｅ the filter element after shutting down the machine (make sure the model matches the correct one).

2. Check the oil contamination level (e.g., NAS 1638 grade) and pre-filter if necessary.

5. Electrical Alarm (Overload, Short Circuit)

- Possible Causes:

- Motor overload (e.g., oil pump stuck).

- Poor circuit contact or tripped circuit breaker.

- Action:

1. Reset the overload protector and check the motor bearings for flexibility.

2. Use a multimeter to check the line insulation and voltage stability (e.g., 380V ± 10%).

General Action Flow

1. Immediately shut down the machine: Press the emergency stop button to prevent the fault from escalating.

2. Check the alarm code: Confirm the specific alarm meaning by referring to the equipment manual (e.g., E01 = Low Vacuum).

3. Initial Troubleshooting: Check visual parameters such as oil level, temperature, and pressure.

4. Targeted Repair: Address each cause individually according to the above, replacing damaged parts.

5. Reset and Test Run: Clear the alarm log and run the system at no load for 5 minutes before re-injecting oil.

Preventative Measures

- Daily Maintenance:

- Regularly ｒｅｐｌａｃｅ the vacuum pump oil (every 500 hours) and the filter element (if the differential pressure alarm occurs).

- Clean the condenser and heat sink to prevent poor heat dissipation.

- Operating Instructions:

- Check the system for leaks before starting and avoid sudden loads.

- When handling oil with a high water content, preheat the system with a low-speed cycle before applying vacuum.

Emergency Situations

- If the alarm is accompanied by unusual noise, smoke, or oil splashing, immediately disconnect the power cord and contact the manufacturer. Do not force a restart!

Tip: The alarm logic of different brands (such as Pall, Hifi, and domestic brands) may vary greatly, so be sure to refer to the device manual.