Air & Gas Supply Management

Requirements

• Hypertherm plasma systems require dry, clean, stable air. Dirty or wet air is the #1 consumable killer.

Best Practices

• Use a refrigerated dryer or desiccant dryer on your air system. Water traps alone are not enough.

• Drain compressor tanks daily — moisture builds up quickly under continuous use.

• Check filters at least once a day; replace clogged or oil-soaked filters immediately.

• Use short, large-diameter air lines to minimize pressure drop. Long 1/4" hoses starve the torch.

• Verify dynamic pressure under load (while cutting). It should remain steady at Hypertherm’s recommended spec.

Troubleshooting

• Moisture in air → pitted electrodes, short consumable life.

• Low pressure → misfires and cutouts mid-program.

• Fluctuating pressure → undersized compressor or restriction in plumbing.