Choosing an industrial air compressor can be daunting. There are many variables to consider, including the type and amount of airpower you need, the size and design of your facility, and the types of air tools or machinery you will use.
Here we’ll guide you through choosing the best industrial air compressor for your needs. You’ll learn what to look for in an industrial air compressor and how to choose a compressor that offers the best return on investment.
When choosing an industrial air compressor for your facility, keep these questions in mind:
How much cfm do I need?
The most important factor to consider when choosing an air compressor is the amount of power it generates, measured in horsepower (HP). This determines how much air the compressor can deliver over a period of time, measured in ‘Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM) or ‘Cubic Feet per Hour (CFH).
Selecting the proper HP and CFM is essential to having a productive machine and to saving money on electric bills over the life of the compressor. Having too much HP for your application can cause excessive heat buildup, and lead to money wastage.
What type of electrical requirements does my facility have?
Understanding the electrical requirements of an industrial air compressor is a vital factor in choosing the best model for your facility. The type of electrical requirements is determined by three factors:
1) horsepower
2) voltage
3) phase.
Horsepower-Horsepower is the power output of your unit as measured in horsepower (HP). There are two types of horsepower ratings for electric motors: Running Horsepower (RHP) and Brake Horsepower (BHP). RHP is the horsepower delivered to the air end of the industrial air compressor. BHP is the actual horsepower required to operate an air compressor. This number will always be larger than RHP due to friction losses that occur in bearings, gears, and seals.
Voltage-Voltage refers to the amount of electricity or “force” required for an electric motor to operate properly. It is measured in volts (V). There are two types of common voltage configurations. These include single-phase and three-phase. Single-phase units use two wires, one neutral and one hot wire, while three-phase units use four wires, three hot wires, and a neutral wire.
Phase-Phase refers to how many times per second alternating current changes direction — also known as cycle or Hertz (Hz). Single-phase power has only one alternating current.
What’s my budget?
It is very important to consider your budget before making a final decision. There are different types of industrial air compressors on the market to choose from, but this does not mean that you will afford them all.
It is a good idea to determine the amount of money that you can comfortably spend on an industrial air compressor. Once you have done this, you can compare different models and select one that fits your budget.
If you don’t think about your budget before making a purchase, it is easy to end up buying something that is going to cost more than you can afford. This is not something that you want to do because it could cause financial problems in the future.
Key Takeaway
Having an industrial air compressor is a must in the manufacturing industry. If you are looking to get one for your business, then it is advisable that you buy a good-quality air compressor and put the factors we’ve mentioned into consideration. With a good quality air compressor, there are so many benefits that you will enjoy.
