Oilers/Plant Tenders (HHC) Civil Service Practice Exam

Which tool is commonly used to diagnose air compressor performance?

1. Pressure gauge

2. Tachometer

3. Thermometer

4. Multimeter

The correct answer is: Pressure gauge

The pressure gauge is the tool most commonly used to diagnose air compressor performance because it measures the air pressure within the compressor system. Monitoring pressure is crucial since it helps determine whether the compressor is generating the required air pressure for its intended application. If there is a significant drop in pressure, this could indicate leaks, issues with the compressor itself, or problems with downstream components. While the other tools have their uses in evaluating equipment, they do not provide the specific information necessary to assess the compressor's operational performance directly related to air pressure. A tachometer measures rotational speed, which is not directly linked to pressure performance. A thermometer could be helpful for understanding temperature changes, which could indicate inefficiencies but does not measure compression performance itself. A multimeter can measure electrical parameters but is not focused on air pressure diagnostics. Therefore, the pressure gauge stands out as the essential tool for this purpose.