Gas compressors are expensive and slow to replace. Most failures start with something boring, like a blocked strainer or a tired pump starving the cooler.

An Ajax low flow alarm switch on the compressor cooling circuit gives early warning. When flow drops below the set point, the contacts change state and the control system can alarm or trip. For compressors in hazardous areas, the XP ATEX flameproof version is the one to specify. F. Bamford has been building flow protection for heavy plant since its products were first designed to guard large diesel engines.