Industrial Coupler Selection: What You Need To Consider
If you're new to stocking up on the supplies required for your industrial equipment, one of the first things you need to consider is building up a stockpile of couplers. You don't want just any couplers, though. You should consider investing in safety couplers, such as pneumatic quick-release couplers. Understanding these couplers and their role can help you to determine if they are the right ones for your situation.
Why Consider Safety Couplers?
Any time you disconnect a coupler, the pressure in the system is released all at once. That can lead to pressure-induced injuries and the potential for other damage caused by whipping hoses due to the pressure release. This is particularly common with quick-connect couplers, because the rapid disconnection doesn't allow any time for the pressure to dissipate as the coupler is disconnecting. Unfortunately, this leaves the handler at risk of injury.
The safety couplers, on the other hand, have a two-step process for disconnection. The valve in the coupler closes, allowing a controlled release of the pressurized air. Once that completes, you can then release the nipple on the coupler and disconnect it.
This two-stage process reduces the risk of operator injury in the disconnection. They are the best option when pressure is a concern and a whipping hose is a risk. It also reduces the noise that often occurs when the standard couplers are disconnected.
If you're dealing with a system with multiple extensions of hoses, use safety couplers as a way to protect the integrity of the entire system. Any time a hose extension is disconnected, you risk losing control of the rest of the hose assembly, so safety couplers are an essential addition.
What Do You Consider When Choosing Couplers?
Whether you're choosing safety couplers or traditional quick-connect units, there are a few things that you have to consider throughout the selection process.
First, make sure that the flow rate through your hose system will hold up against the coupler. To ensure this, you'll have to know exactly what the pressure is in your system. You have to be sure that the coupler's rating is sufficient to withstand that pressure.
You also need to think about how easy the coupler is to operate. Remember that the longer it takes to disconnect the lines, the more time is wasted and the more productivity is lost. Look for couplers that are easy to disconnect so that your employees are efficient and safe at all times.
Finally, consider the durability of the seal and the coupler's construction. Leaky seals and poorly designed couplers are a waste of money, and may actually damage your system. Take the time to choose quality couplers so that your investment is worth the effort.
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