How to choose a compressor

Construction crews often have electric or pneumatic compressors in their arsenal. Compressors are used to create compressed air and in some cases they are simply irreplaceable. Today on the market you can see a wide selection of this equipment. Having considered the features of each species, you will learn, how to choose a compressor.

Construction crews often have electric or pneumatic compressors in their arsenal. Compressors are used to create compressed air and in some cases they are simply irreplaceable. Today on the market you can see a wide selection of this equipment. Having considered the features of each species, you will learn, how to choose a compressor.

It is important to understand that a universal compressor simply does not exist. This is because the purposes for which compressor equipment can be used can vary greatly. But, as a rule, an aggregate capable of providing a pressure of 6-8 atmospheres is quite enough.

Quite often, when buying a compressor, beginners are guided by the volume of the receiver, which is in the range of 24-50 liters, believing that the more the better. But other characteristics of the equipment are by no means less significant, and often vice versa.

Quite often, an engine with the same unit is used in models with receivers of various sizes. In this case, the choice of a larger receiver will lead to the fact that you only pay more money, and the practical benefits will be minimal. Systems with a large receiver justify themselves only when compressed air is used periodically throughout the day. This allows you to create conditions under which the engine will not turn on whenever only a small portion of air under high pressure is required. For painting the house there is no need for a large receiver, a small one will be enough.

The performance of compressor equipment plays an important role. To avoid overpayments and to have enough compressed air, it is necessary to approximately calculate the total consumption of pneumatic tools that can simultaneously be used with this compressor. This is not difficult to achieve, because each instrument is supplied with passport data, where, among other characteristics, air flow is indicated.

Compressor performance is similarly determined. But there is one important detail: imported models have inlet performance characteristics, which are 30 percent higher than the compressor output. As a result, domestic equipment should have a margin of 10-20%, and foreign – at least 35%.

Another important indicator is the coefficient of intra-shift use. It gives an idea of ​​how much this unit is able to work without stopping. In accordance with domestic standards, a coefficient of 0.75 means long-term operation, 0.5 – short-lived, and 0.15 – short-term. This characteristic describes the operation of the device itself, but does not report a cessation of air supply, which will exit the receiver until it is completely empty.

For fragmented needs, piston equipment is used. In cases where it is necessary to organize a continuous cycle, it is preferable to choose a screw compressor. However, it should be understood that this equipment is not intended for intermittent operation, because their design implies a constant temperature of the compressor unit.

If we talk about the energy supply of the compressor, then you should choose between three-phase and single-phase electric models. If you need to work on the road, then you can give preference to a system that runs on generated electricity or an internal combustion engine.

Mobile sets consist of a compressor, an electric generator and a welding machine: all this will be enough to provide a small construction object with everything necessary.

Depending on the purpose, the compressors are divided into professional, domestic and industrial. They have various working pressures, productivity and motor resources. For a garage, a small workshop or a summer residence, a model with an output of 350 l / min will be enough. For long-term work in production conditions it is better to use professional compressors. Their design and reliability are higher, as well as cost. However, for domestic needs there is simply no point in acquiring them, because they will not work out most of the motor resource.

Having considered the features of compressor equipment, you can see, how to choose a compressor. Having allocated enough time to familiarize yourself with this device, you can choose the best option that will meet your needs and avoid overpaying.