Safety First With Industrial Equipment and Supplies

Essential Considerations When Purchasing An Air Compressor

24 September 2021

Lucille Palmer

Air compressor dealers offer various types of air compressors for varied uses. Business owners should carefully analyze their needs in regards to the specifications of a given air compressor before purchasing it. Simply purchasing the most cost-effective or high-powered air compressor is insufficient because businesses require different power and pressure inputs. Buying an air compressor with higher power than is needed leads to additional expenses that affect the business' bottom line. Thus, business owners should consult air compressor dealers to ensure the acquired equipment meets their production needs.

Highlighted below are a few factors for business owners to consider when selecting an air compressor.

Power (Cubic Feet Per Minute) Output Required

Business owners must consider the power output of a given air compressor before buying one. Air compressor dealers have numerous types of air compressors with varying capabilities. Thus, one criterion used by many manufacturers to distinguish between air compressors is their power output, usually measured in cubic feet per minute (cfm). Business owners must consider how much cfm is required for efficient production before selecting an air compressor. There are various cfm measurements available, including displaced cfm, standard cfm, and actual cfm.

Business owners should consult air compressor dealers to determine their production power requirements. To do this, the business owner adds up the total cfm necessary to use a compressor with all the tools. 

Pounds Per Square Inch (psi)

Another distinguishing factor that air compressor dealers use to compare compressors is the pound per square inch (psi) rating. An air compressor's psi indicates the amount of air pressure an air compressor produces. Thus, after looking at the cfm output, business owners should consider an air compressor's psi. The air compressor that a business owner selects must have an equal or higher psi rating than the equipment with which it will be used. Thus, adding up psi ratings is necessary when selecting a compatible air compressor. 

Receiver Tank Size

Business owners may also consult air compressor dealers concerning an air compressor's storage or receiver tank size. Receiver tanks store air when the demand outweighs the compressor's capacity. As such, large receiver tanks offer more storage for pressurized air that's available on demand. In turn, air compressors with smaller receiver tank sizes store much less pressurized air, and thus, are only ideal when working in short bursts requiring little output. Business owners should consult their air compressor dealers to ensure they select an appropriate air compressor that meets all the business' requirements.

Overall, clients should ensure they select the right air compressor for efficient production. For more information, talk to a local dealer, such as a Quincy air compressor dealer, to learn more.

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