

#Air compressor instruction how to
How to Install an Air Compressor in Your Garage Always consult with a licensed electrician to ensure proper selection and installation requirements. Beware to select a compressor that can be operated at the correct voltage. It’s also important to consider your garage’s power rating. Additionally, a compressor needs a sizable motor and tank to run cycles of sufficient length for those applications. Generally speaking, a compressor should have a duty cycle of 50% or more to operate tools that involve prolonged applications, such as saws and grinders. Duty cycleĪnother crucial factor is the length of time an air compressor can run before shutting down to cool. Tank volume indicates the holding capacity of the air compressor. The greater the holding capacity, the easier it is on the motor during each usage cycle - especially during projects that alternate between active and idle modes. The amount of compressed air a specific model can hold at a given time is also important. As the two ratings increase, so too does the horsepower. Though significant, the cfm and psi ratings of a unit are better indicators in the overall power. The measure of an air compressor’s motor output. As a rule of thumb: the greater the cfm and psi rating of a machine, the broader the range of tools that can ultimately be powered. However, psi ratings must be read in conjunction with cfm ratings, which are a larger indicator of whether a compressor can handle the demands of a particular tool. The majority of popular garage tools demand 90 psi. Certain tools demand higher psi than others, and an air compressor must exceed the maximum rating from a given set of tools to cover the owner’s working needs. The pressure at which air is delivered from a compressor - measured in terms of psi - is another critical factor in the ability of an air compressor to power pneumatic tools properly. However, a tool that demands twice as much cfm will need a higher capacity compressor of 14 cfm or more.

All pneumatic tools demand certain levels of cfm, and an air compressor must be able to meet all of the demands for the tools in your arsenal.įor example, with a compressor rated 9.0 cfm, enough air will be generated each minute to power a wrench that demands 5.0 cfm. The most important quality of an air compressor is its cfm rating, which determines how much air is produced by the compressor. When it comes to air compressor installation in your home garage, there are five main things to consider in the model you choose: Cubic feet per minute (cfm) While it’s relatively easy to install an air compressor in a residential garage, some basic things should be understood about machine capacity and your air tool requirements.Ĭontact Us Learn More Find a Dealer Near You The Five Crucial Specifications of an Air CompressorĪir compressors vary in terms of capacity because different machines are built for different levels of operation. Just as factories and manufacturing plants continue to build more elaborate compressed-air systems, the technology is also being adopted for home use by independent craftspeople, making a wide variety of projects much easier.
