Air Compressor Measurements: PSI, CFM, & HP
Wondering what is the right PSI, CFM and HP requirements for your air compressor? Figuring out these needs might seem simple at first, but they’re rather complicated when you really dive in. If you’re in the air compressor industry for a while now, you’re likely to be familiar with PSI - Pounds Per Square Inch, CFM - Cubic Feet per minute, HP - horsepower. PSI is referred to while calculating the pressure, CFM in air compressor measures the flow and HP is used to compute the amount of work the motor can perform.
These principles are the fundamental elements to consider when you’re choosing your air compressor. We are here to take a detailed look at PSI, CFM and HP to help you define the right fit for your compressor needs.
What is PSI?
PSI in air compressors is used to measure the amount of pressure imposed on a single square inch of space. It measures the force in an area specific to one square inch. The force of air is the driver of power while producing compressed air. For example, an air compressor’s output rated at 500 psi means that it provides 500 pounds of pressure per square inch.
What is CFM in air compressor?
CFM refers to Cubic Feet per Minute. It is used to measure the volume of air in cubic feet for each minute it moves. While calculating CFM in air compressors you would be calculating how much air can move per minute. For example, if a compressor’s output is rated at 20 CFM it refers that 20 cubic feet of air is flowing per minute.
What is HP?
HP refers to horsepower and is used to measure the work capacity of the motor or engine that drives the compressor element. Many consumers refer to the horsepower as the standpoint to make their decision in choosing air compressors, but this is not the prescribed method. For a layman, higher horsepower equals to higher CFM output.
How does PSI and CFM co-function?
PSI and CFM are co-related to each other in determining the final functional output of the air compressor. For a tool to operate and perform optimally, both PSI and CFM in air compressor need to be at par.
Depending upon the power with which the air is supplied and the capacity to deliver that air continuously the right PSI CFM fit occurs.
It is a crucial point for you to be wary of this while assessing your requirement and determining the right functions for your compressor.
How to choose the right air compressor?
Now that you’re thorough with understanding PSI, CFM and HP - you can go ahead choosing the right air compressor for you. You can check the air requirements for your project and ensure that the air compressor meets your needs. You must also take in consideration the type of compressor you’re using whether it is a rotary or screw compressor and whether you’re using an air receiver tank or not and depending on your demand air profile to choose a Variable Speed VSD+ models.
We hope this article helped you through the initial phase of choosing the right air compressor for your requirements if you need to know more - please get in touch with experts at Atlas Copco.