WHAT IS A FRL OR MAINTENANCE UNIT?

---

An FRL ensures the efficiency and durability of pneumatic tools, in short, it provides high quality clean air and regulates pressure. 

---

19/05/2022

Today we analyze a very necessary device in pneumatic installations: the FRL or also known as Maintenance Unit.

1- What is a FRL?

Its acronym corresponds to the elements that compose it, which are the filter, the regulator and the lubricator.

The inclusion of an FRL in your pneumatic system is vital to an efficient air line configuration and fundamental to achieving a good return on investment. Adding an FRL near the power tool will ensure the necessary air flow pressure and good air quality by reducing the risk of moisture and dust in the air line, and also helps air line maintenance by providing lubrication.

For example, a compressor takes air from the environment, compresses it and that’s it, we already have a means of energy transmission. But should I use it immediately in an application? The answer is no, because the air is dirty, unstable and may cause components to fail early. Therefore, we must use a FRL or maintenance unit.

2- How does an LRF work?

An FRL combines 3 functions in one system: filtration, regulation and lubrication.

1- Air filtration: The filter cleans the compressed air, trapping solid particles such as dust, dirt or rust.

2- Air regulation: The regulator ensures dynamic pressure consistency for better tool performance and overall operational efficiency.

This is important because if the pressure is lower than recommended by the manufacturer, the tool cannot reach its performance level and profitability will decrease. If the pressure is too high, the tool wears out sooner. In addition, a malfunction could occur causing injury to the operator and a risk of damage to the application.

3- Air lubrication: The lubricator adds controlled amounts of oil into the compressed air lines to reduce friction between moving parts in the tool motor.

Without lubrication, a tool wears out and fails to reach its maximum performance level. This, in turn, leads to a loss of productivity and increased maintenance costs.

In this video we explain the three functions of a FRL:

Discover all our models on our website:

https://www.aircompressormpc.com/es/73-filtracion-lubricacion

“Safety tips: MPC recommends use an FRL-equipped pressure gauge with each tool to adjust pressure.”