Lubrication by Automatic Single-Point Lubricators

The basic role of a lubricator is to drive oil or grease into the lubrication point, ensuring the smooth operation and prolonged life of machinery, minimal wear and tear, and avoid downtime. Inexpensive and simple to fit, Single-point lubricator take seconds to install while bringing a wide array of benefits:

• Maximize efficiency
• Save hundreds of maintenance hours
• Increase up-time
• Boost reliability and safety
• Eliminate human error
• Move away from scheduled maintenance
• Provide continuously, uninterrupted lubrication to the individual, expensive components

It’s my on-hand experience says that bearing problems represent approximately 50% of all repair events for motors and 30 to 35% for pumps and compressors, a number greatly reduced through the application of single-point lubrication.

Types of Automatic Single Point Lubricators

1. Gas-powered Lubricator 
2. Electro-chemical Lubricator
3. Electro-mechanical Lubricator

*Gas-powered Lubricator :

            The gas-powered units are actuated by mixing an electrolyte and zinc pellet to form a gas. The gas expands against a plunger that pushes the grease out of the unit at 45 PSI. They have a 3-6-9-12 month dispensing range that requires a different concentration of zinc. However, they are temperature-dependent.

That is, when it is 0° they will push harder for less grease; whereas, when it is 90° they will work less to lube the bearing. Some of the canisters are made of metal so you will not know if the unit is operating properly or injecting the grease. These cost the least out of the 3 and are a throw-away.

*Electro-chemical Lubricator

          Electrochemical units use a battery, microprocessor and an electrolyte to create a gas that pushes the grease. The processor tells the battery to excite the electrolyte to create a gas. The processor compensates for low temperature.

When it is 10° the processor senses it and adjusts the unit accordingly. The unit dispenses the same amount of lubrication no matter what the outside temperature is. Some units have dip switches or jumpers that can be set for each of the different month settings. These units can be paused or turned off if the equipment is going to be out serviced for a while.

*Electro-mechanical Lubricator

         All electromechanical lubricators have a battery, pressure source, programmable controller (LED).  And grease pack. The LED controls a motor that pushes the grease. The type of motor dictates the amount of pressure the unit is capable of. This is important depending on how far the bearing tap is from the unit.

They have replaceable batteries and grease packs so purchasing the complete unit are not necessary, making it economical after the initial purchase is made. The most important feature is the feedback if the bearing does not accept the lubrication which separates it from the other two types of lubricators.

If the bearing or lube line is clogged and the unit can not push the grease, a fault occurs. There will be a flashing indication on the LED. This is very important for critical bearing. If and when this occurs some units have a memory that can be checked to see when the last lube event took place.

The units that can produce a pressure of 400 PSI plus can do multiple bearings using a divider valve. They can do 1 to 8 bearings because they lube only one bearing at a time. Keeping in mind the shorter the lube lines the better.