IR P185WIR & XP185WIR Troubleshooting: Safety Valve Relieves
If the safety valve on your Ingersoll Rand P185WIR or XP185WIR is popping off, it’s not something you want to ignore. The safety valve is there for a reason—to protect the system from overpressure—but if it’s relieving constantly, there’s an underlying issue that needs fixing.
Common Causes of Safety Valve Relieving
- Leaks in regulator piping: Air leaks can throw off pressure signals, causing overcompensation and pressure spikes.
- Incorrect pressure regulator adjustment: If your pressure setting is too high, the system can’t unload properly and pressure builds up.
- Malfunctioning pressure regulator: A regulator that fails to respond correctly to system pressure will cause constant overpressure.
- Malfunctioning inlet unloader or butterfly valve: If this valve sticks open or closed, pressure will not be controlled correctly during load/unload cycles.
- Defective separator element: A ruptured or clogged separator can restrict air flow, causing excessive backpressure in the system.
- Ice in regulation lines or orifice: In cold environments, frozen moisture can block pressure signals and cause dangerous pressure spikes.
- Defective safety valve: In rare cases, the valve itself may be faulty and opening below the rated pressure.
Recommended Fixes
- Inspect and repair regulator piping to eliminate leaks.
- Verify and reset your pressure regulator adjustment to match factory specs.
- If adjustment doesn't solve it, replace the pressure regulator.
- Inspect and clean or replace the inlet unloader or butterfly valve if it's sticking.
- Replace a defective separator element if it shows signs of clogging or failure.
- In cold conditions, inspect for ice and consider installing a moisture separator or system dryer.
- If everything else checks out, replace the safety valve itself to ensure proper relief pressure.
Wrap-Up
When a safety valve relieves, it’s doing its job—but if it happens regularly, your system is signaling for help. Tracking down leaks, frozen lines, or bad parts now can prevent bigger, more expensive failures later.