Capacity and pressure
The capacity (CFM) and the pressure of the air compressor are the two most important specifications.To find out the capacity that you need, simply add up the air consumption of all the air tools that you will use.Small tools like nailers use only a little air, while big tools like sanders and grinder use lots of compressed air!To find out the pressure that you need, check again the specifications of the air tools that you plan to use. The highest required pressure dictates the pressure that you need.It’s always smart to buy a compressor that is capable to deliver more than you need. You will probably add more tools in the future, and almost all compressed air systems will have a leaking hose or coupling somewhere!3. Horse powerYou DON’T need to know the horsepower of the air compressor.The horsepower is a result of the required pressure and capacity that you need, not the other way around.Don’t look at horsepower. Look at capacity (CFM) and pressure (psi).4. Electrical connectionsYou wouldn’t be the first happy new compressor owner that comes home with an air compressor that he is unable to wire up!Know the voltage that you have at home. Know the maximum current that your wiring can handle. Do you have single phase or 3 phase power?Installing extra electrical wiring (or even having 3 phase power installed at your home!) can be more expensive than the air compressor itself!5. NoiseDo you plan to install the compressor inside or outside?A reciprocating compressor makes a lot of noise. Always check the noise level of the compressor before buying one. If you are buying a compressor in a shop, ask them to run it, so you can hear what is sounds like.To reduce the noise, you can make an enclosure around the compressor. Make sure you add enough ventilation holes (and a fan if necessary). An air compressor creates a lot of heat, so adequate cooling is required!6. Tank sizeMost reciprocating compressors come with a 40 – 80 gallon tank, which is fine.A larger tank size is always better. A bigger tank means that there is a bigger compressed air buffer.A bigger compressed air buffer is useful when you use big tools that use more air than the capacity of your compressor. Pressure will drop more slowly with a bigger air tank.7. Compressed air filtersHow clean do you need your compressed air?Compressed air is hot, wet and dirty. Depending on your application, you need to filter it and remove water and oil.If you use compressed air for paint-spraying, you don’t want oil, water or dust in your compressed air, the air needs to be very clean.If you only use it for powering air tools, you don’t want water in your compressed air but you don’t really care about oil.There are filters available to remove water (droplets), oil, and dust. For even dryer compressed air, you need to get a compressed air dryer.8. Other options and extra’sThere is a list of options you should thing about. Intrigued in finding out even more concerning compressor parts online? Take a look at our site.
castegypt5 