Compressor provided with an electronic pressure switch and method of regulating the pressure within such a compressor

A gas compressor comprising a gas compressor element, a motor configured to drive said gas compressor element and an electronic pressure switch, said electronic pressure switch comprising:

• a pressure sensor for sensing pressure signals at a compressed gas outlet of the gas compressor;
• a current sensor for sensing current signals of the motor driving the gas compressor element;
• a microprocessor unit comprising a first input port connected to said pressure sensor for receiving the pressure signals and a second input port connected to said current sensor for receiving the current signals;
• a first communication unit for connecting the electronic pressure switch with a drive of the motor;
• a second communication unit for connecting the electronic pressure switch with a blow-off valve provided at the compressed gas outlet;
• and
• wherein the electronic pressure switch further comprises a housing,
• wherein the microprocessor unit, the pressure sensor, the current sensor, the first communication unit and the second communication unit are integrated in said housing,
• wherein the microprocessor unit is configured to convert the pressure signals into present pressure values and the current signals into present current values, to compare the present pressure values to an upper pressure limit and the present current values to an upper current limit,
• wherein the microprocessor unit further comprises a storing module configured to store the present pressure values and present current values acquired during a present interrogation and at least one previous interrogation, and the microprocessor unit is configured to further take into account changes in the stored pressure and current values over a time interval between the at least one previous interrogation and the present interrogation in determining when to restart the motor or stop the motor;
• wherein:
• the microprocessor is configured to start the motor via the first communication unit at a time when one of the present pressure values is below the upper pressure limit and when one of the present current values is below the upper current limit, and to start the motor sooner than said time based on changes in the stored pressure values,
• when said one of the present pressure values is higher than the upper pressure limit, the microprocessor is configured to stop the motor via the first communication unit, and to delay said stop based on the changes in the stored pressure or current values, and
• when said one of the present current values is higher than the upper current limit, the microprocessor is also configured to stop the motor via the first communication unit, and to delay said stop based on changes in the stored pressure or current values.