When the time comes to determine the type of air…
10 Tips for Choosing Best Air Compressors For Your Business
Air compressors being versatile machinery, can be a great addition to any business. These robust and reliable devices perform a variety of tasks compared to electric power tools. They serve multiple purposes, from powering small appliances to substantial industrial applications. Air compressors act as crucial in running both industrial and commercial businesses. However, choosing the best air compressor suppliers for your business needs can be arduous. There are a few factors to consider before choosing the air compressor for your business needs. These aspects include the type of application, work environment and the duration of use, to name a few. How do you find the right one for your business with so many to choose from, portable or stationary, piston or rotary screw compressors?
Looking at each of the following factors will help you find the best air compressor for your business, no matter the size or need.
1. Air Compressors Grades
Air compressors come in various grades based on their capacity and applications. Check with the best air compressor suppliers in Kolkata for these grades before making any purchase decisions.
Consumer Grade
These compressors are small and portable and often used for the house or a small garage workshop for inflating tires. Because they are powered by pistons, can handle low pressures, and do not offer a continuous flow of compressed air and are easily prone to overheating.
Industrial Grade
Industrial air compressors are the perfect choice for constant use. They have a robust and more durable design to run at a constant temperature, regardless of demand. As a result, compressors in this category are used for efficient long-term use in industries, right from factory shop floors to ships and oil rigs.
2. Single and Two-stage compressors
- Single-stage air compressors are smaller models with low capacity for airbrushing applications for homes and small shops. They are available with a small storage tank for compressed air in larger models.
- Two-stage air compressors models compress the air twice, and tank sizes can go up to 200 gallons or more to hold a lot of compressed air, reducing input power consumption. They are used in manufacturing facilities to provide enough power and to run several air tools simultaneously.
3. Capacity of the compressor
- HP- Horsepower indicates the power output of the compressor to turn on the pump.
- PSI – Pounds per Square Inch measures the pressure of that air output and represents the ability of the compressor to pressurize the air.
- CFM –The amount of air produced in Cubic Feet per Minute, i.e. 10CFM rating means it can release ten cubic feet of air in a minute.
Higher the HP values of the compressor, the better the PSI. The value of CFM is based on the PSI. The higher the CFM of a compressor, the more applications we can power with it. Choosing a compressor with a CFM of about 20% to 30% over the needs is recommended to cover future business expansion.
- Tank Size- A larger tank size will hold onto a higher PSI for longer durations of time.
4. Duty cycle
The duty cycle indicates the number of minutes the compressor is allowed to function for every 10 minutes. The duty cycle of industrial compressors is usually 75% to 100%, i.e. they can work continuously.
5. Power source of the compressor
Air compressors are either powered by electricity or gas. Electric air compressors are very common and can be used with a regular electricity supply, with ventilation as a consideration. On the other hand, petrol and diesel air compressors are movable and work outdoors in adverse weather conditions. Hence, their robust nature and lower maintenance and fuel cost to compensate for the higher initial cost.
6. Installations
Stationary compressors are industrial grade, usually large, designed for proper installations. Their higher horsepower and much storage capacity make them excellent choices for uninterrupted usage. On the other hand, portable air compressors are small and light. These are best for the contractors because it makes them easy to move around work areas.
7. Controls
Fixed speed controls aim to keep the speed of the compressor constant. Variable speed controls allow adjusting the speed of the compressor so that its output equals the demand.
8. Moisture maintenance
The air dryer removes water vapor and other particles from the compressed air. As a result, drying the compressed air avoids contamination, corrosion, and control malfunctions.
Recommended Reading: How to Save Money on Maintenance of Air Compressors
9. Life expectancy
Shell life of the product is more important than saving initial buying cost. For example, choosing a high-quality air compressor may be expensive; in return, it will save replacement and repairs costs.
10. Future service
While there are many manufacturers in the field, your air compressor needs to be reliable throughout its service life, and it requires good support to keep it functioning optimally. Therefore, choosing and buying from an experienced and professional manufacturer or supplier with after-sale service is essential to ensure a long life run of the equipment.
It’s always advisable to consult the authorized top air compressor suppliers while making a purchase for your business.
