How to Pick the Right Air Compressor?
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Are you considering the inclusion of an air compressor in your home or business? If so then it is crucial to ask the appropriate questions so that you can find the most suitable compressor for you needs. Bear in mind that purchasing the wrong air compressor can be quite an expensive exercise so it is definitely a good idea to take your time and do your research.
To pick the right air compressor, it is essential to first determine its intended purpose, the necessary airflow and pressure, tank capacity, and any additional features. It is advisable to choose an air compressor that surpasses the CFM and PSI rating of the tools or equipment you intend to operate. By doing so, you can ensure optimal performance tailored to your specific needs.
Before embarking on the purchase of an air compressor, it is beneficial to acquaint yourself with the different types of air compressors available in the market. It is also a good idea to have a fundamental understanding of the principles behind how these air compressors work.
Table of contents
Fortunately we are here to help you make sense of all of the technical terms that you will encounter, so grab a hot beverage and lets get started.
Important Factors To Check
So what are terms that you need to check? Lets have a look at what are the most important things to understand when buying an air compressor
Air Compressor CFM vs SCFM
One of the things that you need to learn is the SCFM or the standard cubic feet per minute. To simplify everything, it is the volume of air flow in the air compressor. Next, you also want to know the unit pounds per square inch or psi. Here, it is the result of the pressure applied to the air in relation to an inch.
If you would like to read a more in depth article to give you more information you can check out our article Understand Air Compressor CFM vs SCFM the Easy Way!
you could also consult the ISO or the international organization for standardization which will tell you something about the standard classes of compressed air.
Air Fittings
Choosing the correct air compressor fittings for your equipment is crucial for them to function correctly. Failing to install fittings that correctly match the thread size and type of the tool or equipment being used will likely result in your connections not being able to create a proper seal resulting in costly air leaks.
more information about air fittings can be found in our article A Quick Guide to Air Compressor Fittings
Duty Cycle
Air compressors stop working after some time in order to ensure that the life of the air compressor is going to be maximized. Fortunately, you have the duty cycle for this. For reciprocating air compressors, it is 75%. This means that it the air compressor will be working around 75% of the time or 45 minutes in an hour, and rest for 15 minutes.
Power
Next important factor that you need to look into if you are going to have an air compressor is the electrical requirement. For instance, what is the voltage and the ampere needed in order to operate the air compressor?
It is important to even talk to a qualified technician whenever you are doing, looking into this particular aspect.
Noise
Once you have gathered all of these information, the last thing that you want to know is the location of the compressor in your house.
Why is this important? Not only does this allow you to work flawlessly, this can also make sure that you have the compressor that is not going to disturb anyone inside the house or your neighbors.
You may want to make sure that you check the noise rating of the air compressor if you are having some trouble.
Air Compressor Overview
If you would like more information then we have written A Quick Air Compressor Guide which covers the basics of air compressors, including their features, cost, and fun ways to use them as well as providing you with essential information to help you choose the right air compressor for your needs.
Final Thoughts
Buying an air compressor can be quite tricky, there are many uses for your air compressor. It can either be used for common needs at home, or it could be used for specific needs like woodworking.
We hope that with this this guide, we have been able to answer your questions and therefore minimize any mistakes.
More Resources
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