subject: Not All Compressors Are Created Equal [print this page] Not All Compressors Are Created Equal Not All Compressors Are Created Equal
A number of our daily tasks are performed by using compressors. A compressor can be filled with air, gas or fluids and different types are obtainable a variety of uses.
A compressor is made with one goal in mind and that is to compress free air. The most obvious example of this is the air that you use for your car's tyres. Obviously compressors differ in dimensions and shape and not all compressors will be able to compress the same volume of air. If you compare the earlier example of a vehicle's tyre with a deep-sea diving cylinder for example, you will realize that the compressor used to fill you tyre and the compressor used to fill diving cylinders (often up to 200 or even 300 bar) are two totally different things.
Do not think that compressors are simply made to fill empty tyres and cylinders with air - their functionality goes much further than that! Some powertools for example power wrenches nail guns and spray guns are often powered by air compressors - this is indeed a very simple and easy way to make sure that your tools have sufficient power to perform the duties that they must perform.
The numerous applications for air compressors will also determine which type of compressor would be best suitable for your needs and demands. Not all compressor motors produce the same amount of horsepower and compressors for industrial purposes will obviously need to be more robust and as a consequence produce more horsepower.
The reciprocating air compressor is the air compressor that the majority of consumers use. This compressor may be used for many reasons and applied in a variety of places. These types of compressors usually are very reasonably priced, but the drawback is that they are quite pricey to use.
The various types of compressors can further be split up into oil lubricated and oil free compressors. If you buy an oil lubricated compressor you will have to change the oil fairly often. Oil free compressors then doesn't require oil changes and means less servicing than the oil lubricated compressors. Nonetheless, if you are buying a compressor for industrial use, you should rather invest in the oil lubricated type as the oil free compressors are not really ideal for industrial use.
Even air conditioning equipment can work with compressors - these air conditioning units can be used inside a car or outside of a building or home. The air conditioning compressor has one goal in mind: to pull refrigerant in order to cool-down an area. Stainless steel air-con compressors are usually more expensive than chrome compressors, but are also more durable. Chrome is however more light in weight and is often used in motor vehicles. A number of these compressors will run by oil and a number by electricity - yet again some studying is required to determine which type of compressor would work best for you.
Many good hardware stores should be able to offer information on the various types, sizes and shapes of compressors. As compressors is often rather costly, it is important to buy the correct one from the beginning.
