How to Select an Air Compressor Guide - Quincy Compressor - #1

What are the criteria for making an informed and lasting decision when selecting an air compressor?

With all the different options available on modern air compressors, the proper selection can be a guessing game without the right set of guidelines. There are nearly as many different air compressor and option combinations as there are types of applications. Making a mistake in the selection process can cost you efficiency, extra service and even production. To assist in making a preliminary selection, here are some important questions, answers and criteria:

Before buying any pieces of equipment, there are always some key considerations to keep in mind to help guide the selection. For air compressors, these ideas can be simply stated:

• How much pressure is required?

• How much air flow is required?

• What is the air quality required?

• What is the operating duty cycle?

• What is the first cost?

• What is the total cost of ownership?

• What special requirements dose this application demand?

To answer the first three questions, simply determine: What will the compressed air be used for? The most common uses for compressed air are simply described as shop, or plant, air. In this capacity, the air compressor is being used to supply an energy source for tools like impact wrenches, nail guns, drills and grinders and blow guns. There are hundreds of stationary and portable tools that use compressed air for their power source. Each device has manufacturer's specifications for the appropriate amount of pressure (psig, bar or kPa) and air flow (cfm, l/sec or m3/min). The performance of the device is critically dependent on these factors, and these must be kept in mind when selecting an air compressor. For example, the chart below shows some common hand tools and the required air supply conditions to make them perform as the manufacturer states:

If the compressed air is to be used a power source for certain precision equipment, the selection becomes even more critical. For instance, a pneumatic drill can operate with a certain maximum level of contamination that would not be acceptable for a precision dentist's drill. Even though both drills must have the incoming air filtered to remove as much dust and water before entering

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