Air compressor suddenly high pressure and trip

What kind of air compressor? Centrifugal or reciprocating? What is the process (instrument air, plant air, process air)?

I assume you tripped on high discharge pressure?

Bad check valve?

Discharge control valve went closed?

Something plugged up like a discharge cooler?

Discharge receiver full of liquid?

Screw type, 350 hp, plant air purpose including service and instrument air.

What percentage of air is plant use, service use, and instrument?

In my experience, instrument use is 10% or less, so I would not be certain the instrument air dryer is the culprit. I would suspect there is some large volume shange that the compressor unloader is not responding to fast enough.

Do you have an air receiver by the compressor?

What is the largest air user in the plant? Perhaps a surge tank or receiver at this location might reduce the plant wide surge when flow suddenly stops.

I think JD is right, I would start with your dryer system..

yes,apart from drier also look at your pressure switch function and settings.if malfunction by pressure switch--leeds to increased pressure and trip due to motor over load. what is is the set pressure and what pressure its tripping.

In addition to the dryer and pressure switches, since it's a screw type I believe it has an unloading valve and a control system for that. Make sure that it's unloading when it's supposed to.