How to Size an Air Compressor.

Product Categories

Abrasive & Grinding Products

Air Compressors and Accessories

Air Tools and Accessories

Auto Air Conditioning Tools

Auto Paint & Body Repair Supplies

Auto Shop Lighting

Automotive Electronics

Automotive Shop Equipment & Tools

Car Battery Chargers & Jump Starters

Car Buffers and Polishers

Cutting/Threading

Electronics & Diagnostics

Industrial Hand Tools

Industrial Safety Equipment

Power Tools & Accessories

Tool Storage

Vehicle Specialty Tools

Social Bookmarks

Eight Questions to ask when Specifying an Air Compressor

1. What horsepower are you using on your current air compressor?

2. What Horsepower (HP) and/or flow capacity (CFM) are you looking for?

3. What Discharge Pressure, Pounds per Square Inch (PSIG) do you need?

4. What are the Electrical Requirements of the Installation Site?
    -    Voltage: 110,200,208,230,460, 575
    -    Phase: Single (1) or Three (3)
    -    Generally air compressors over 7 hp only come in 3 phase.
    -    110 is standard voltage for homes, also 110 voltage only has single phase capability and will only run up to a 3hp air compressor.

5. What application will the air compressor be used for? What quality of air will be needed?

Considerations	Aluminum Recip	Cast Iron Recip	ESP Rotary	Se Rotary
Usage	0 -40%	0-100%	0-100%	0-100%

6. How often during the day will the air compressor be in use? Ie total hours the facility is open for work activities, and during that time, is the air compressor being used constantly or intermittently?

7. What do you anticipate the FUTURE needs of your air compressor to be? (A good rule of thumb is to oversize a compressor by 25-30% to account for future growth, leakage etc.)

8. Where will the air compressor be located? (indoor/outdoor, clean/dusty, temperature extremes)

How to Size an Air Compressor

Horsepower

1. Add up the total horsepower (HP) demand of each air tool or piece of equipment to be powered from your air compressor.

2.    Add these Horsepower numbers to get a total figure.
3.    Multiply that total by 1.25 (this accounts for future growth, leakage, etc.) to determine the horsepower (HP) of the air compressor required to meet your needs.

Pressure

4.    Take note of the pressure ranges needed to run your various air tools and equipment.
5.    Be sure the air compressor model you select is capable of meeting the highest pressure required by any one of those air tools or equipment.

Electrical

6.    Be sure to match the correct electrical voltage and amperage requirements with the air compressor you purchase or you can burn up your motor.