A Journey of Learning: Passing the CCASS Certification Test

Published on by Jordan T ShouseLeave a comment

Hey everyone! I’m beyond excited to share some big news with you—I recently passed the Certified Compressed Air System Specialist (CCASS) certification test! It’s been a wild ride getting here, and I want to take you through my journey, to show what this certificate means to me.

Why CCASS? Six and a half years ago, I started my fascination with compressed air products and systems—how they power so much of modern industry, from manufacturing to automation. But I’ll be honest: there’s a lot to learn, and I wanted a way to prove I really get it. That’s where the CCASS certification came in. Offered by CAGI, it’s a credential that shows you’ve mastered the ins and outs of compressed air systems—think system design, energy efficiency, and all the components that make it tick. For me, it was about more than just a title; it was a chance to level up my skills and help customers optimize their systems.

The CCASS exam isn’t a walk in the park—it’s 80 multiple-choice questions in just 1.5 hours, testing your applied knowledge, skills, and abilities. CAGI doesn’t hand you a study guide, but they do point you to some resources. Their “Body of Knowledge” list was my starting point, packed with references like the Compressed Air & Gas Handbook and standards like ASME EA-4 for energy assessments. I dove into those, soaking up everything from compressor basics to sustainability tips.

What does this mean? Well, I’m the 6th person on the application engineering team to become certified. Our team of Application Engineers are dedicated to continuous self-improvement and actively seek ways to assure our readers, clients, and prospective customers that we are the foremost authorities in engineered solutions for point-of-use compressed air. We prioritize ongoing education and share our expertise through various platforms. This includes informative blogs like this one, casual videos available on our YouTube Channel and website, articles in different publications, and our webinars.

The subjects we cover range from strategies to reduce waste associated with one of the most costly utilities to system designs that mitigate pressure drops and ensure adequate supply for point-of-use applications. We can provide both in-depth analysis and high-level overviews to cater to different levels of understanding.

If you wish to evaluate our expertise or learn more about how we can assist with your facility’s compressed air needs, please reach out to an Application Engineer today.

Jordan Shouse, CCASS

Application Engineer

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Press Release: New & Improved Static Meter from EXAIR

Published on by Tyler Daniel2 Comments

Static is one of those problems that is often invisible to the naked eye, unless it’s incredibly high and discharging to a nearby grounded surface. This is typically the exception, not the rule, so in cases where a charge cannot be seen, we have to use a tool to measure it. As the saying goes: “What gets measured, gets done”. If you don’t know the source of the static problem, or the severity, it’s often difficult to implement a proper solution. So how do we measure static?

It’s actually simple: EXAIR’s Model 7905 Static Meter is designed to take the guesswork out of the equation when evaluating static charges. It allows for an easy one-hand measurement of the static charge on the surface. This allows you to measure in numerous places in the process to evaluate the true source of the static. In most cases, the highest voltage reading will indicate the source of your static problem. Just this year, EXAIR released a brand-new Static Meter with an added LED light to help guide the user to the correct position for measurement.

The 7905 Static Meter is sensitive and responsive, indicating the surface voltage and polarity on objects up to +/- 20kV when measured at 1” from the surface. On the front face of the meter is an on/off button, zero button, and hold button. Accuracy of the meter is contingent on three critical factors:

  • The instrument must be properly zeroed
  • The distance from the front edge of the case to the target surface under examination must be 1” (25mm). Ranging LED lights help to ensure the correct distance. The meter should be guided towards the charged objects until the two LED circles are concentric on the target. This confirms a spacing of exactly 1”.
  • The target must be large relative to the measurement distance. It should be at least 5” x 5” for true accuracy.

When looking for a way to identify the source of your static woes, EXAIR’s Static Meter is an ideal fit. Since the method used to neutralize this static is also invisible, using a Static Meter in conjunction with any EXAIR Static Eliminator allows you to confirm and quantify the result of the products working as intended. To do this, simply take a measurement of the surface before and after treatment with any EXAIR Static Eliminator. After being exposed to the static neutralizing ions, the residual static charge should be neutralized and able to be confirmed on the display of the Static Meter.

Once you’ve identified the location and severity of the static, EXAIR offers a complete line of Static Eliminators that can quickly neutralize the charge and eliminate any associated problems.

Tyler Daniel, CCASS

Application Engineer

E-mail: TylerDaniel@EXAIR.com

X: @EXAIR_TD

More Power with EXAIR’s High Lift RDV

Published on by Al WooffittLeave a comment

EXAIR’s Reversible Drum Vac is one of our most popular products, and with good reason. If you are looking to quickly and easily fill (or empty) a drum with water or a similar liquid, EXAIR’s RDV is undoubtedly the fastest and simplest solution you can find. Coming in 5-, 30-, 55-, and 100-gallon options, the -96″H2O suction head generated by the RDV is perfect for any typical industrial housekeeping or fluid handling application.

Below you will see a short video showcasing how easy the RDV is to install, and just how quickly it operates!

There are some situations, however, where you need a little more power. In scenarios like these, where the liquid exhibits increased viscosity or falls below standard grade, we offer a High Lift Reversible Drum Vac. The High Lift RDV was specifically designed to address these challenges. It produces a suction head of -180″H2O and is equipped with a 20-foot vacuum hose. The High Lift RDV can handle liquids with a viscosity of up to 1,400cP.

As with the standard RDV, the High Lift RDV is compressed air operated, so there are no moving parts, or electrical motors or bearings to wear out. As long as you supply it with a clean and moisture-free source of compressed air, the EXAIR RDV will run for years and years to come.

If you would like to discuss your fluid handling application, then please, give me a call!

Al Wooffitt
Application Engineer

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Environmental Impacts: Be Efficient. 

Published on by John BallLeave a comment

Since the establishment of EXAIR in 1983, customer satisfaction has always been the cornerstone of our business model.   This may seem like common practice, but here at EXAIR, we like to go the extra mile.  We have over a 99.9% on-time delivery with thousands of products in stock.  We offer free expert technical help from our Application Engineers, as well as within EXAIR Blog writings and application search library.  We have an Efficiency Lab to report on comparison results with safety and compressed air saving.  We also offer a 30-day unconditional guarantee on our cataloged products for you to try.   So, what more can EXAIR do for you?

Compressors use large amounts of electricity to produce compressed air and are considered the fourth utility in most manufacturing plants.  EXAIR manufactures engineered products that can save compressed air and increase energy savings.  With that, EXAIR was able to partner with Energy Star.  “Energy Star is a government-backed symbol of energy efficiency, helping to save money and to protect the environment through energy-efficient products and practices.” This commitment by EXAIR to reducing energy, increasing safety for workers, and protecting the environment for future generations are effective ways to sustain a business value.

When large amounts of energy can be saved, electricity-producing companies take notice.  Electrical suppliers started a rebate program for using engineered nozzles in their facilities.  Similar to other energy-saving rebates, like LED light bulbs and high-efficiency furnaces, the EXAIR engineered nozzles now fall into that same category.  If your electrical provider supports this program, the total cost to purchase and implement the EXAIR Super Air Nozzles is greatly reduced.  Even if a rebate program has not yet been implemented in your area, the idea of saving energy makes it very practical and environmentally sound.

The NC Clean Energy Technology Center created a website to consolidate all the electrical companies that offer rebates for efficient products and programs.  The website is www.dsireusa.org.  “DSIRE is the most comprehensive source of information on incentives and policies that support renewable and energy efficiency in the United States.”  EXAIR engineered products fall into this category, so if a rebate can be applied to our products, it will be located on that site.

Another energy-saving tip from Energy Star refers to waste from leaks.  They recommend a leak prevention program to help improve energy savings.  As part of that program, EXAIR does offer an Ultrasonic Leak Detector.  To tell a common success story about the Ultrasonic Leak Detector, an EXAIR customer had a 50-horsepower air compressor.  It started to overwork, overheat, and occasionally shut down.  They thought that they would need to buy a larger air compressor to keep the plant running.  In discussing that a company without a leak prevention program could have as much as 30% waste, they decided to purchase an Ultrasonic Leak Detector.  They checked every fitting and connection in the facility.  When they finished checking the compressed air system, they found a total of 91 leaks.  Not only did this save on energy waste, but it also saved money by fixing the leaks and not expanding the capital expenses in the company.

With EXAIR being backed by Energy Star, EPA, and rebate programs, together, we can save energy, improve the environment, and reduce compressed air usage.  If you would like to discuss how EXAIR can work for you, you can contact an EXAIR Application Engineer.

John Ball
Application Engineer
Email: johnball@exair.com
Twitter: @EXAIR_jb

Photo: Lightbulb by TheDigitalArtist.  Pixabay Content License