Last Updated on October 22, 2023 by Kevin Chen
Image source KMSTools
Just having a functional air compressor is not enough. You need to know some little specifications about it.
One of these specs is the current that it uses.
So, how many amperes does the air compressor consumes in order to run smoothly?
Read.
Air compressors come in different specifications
First, you should know that there are no universal specifications for all air compressors.
This implies that not all air compressors will draw the same amount of current.
Some will use more amps than others.
Key specs that determine the number of amps an air compressor uses include;
-Voltage rating(V): This is the voltage that is used to operate the compressor.
-Current rating(I): This is the current that will be drawn by the compressor.
-Amps(A): This is how many amps an air compressor will be using at once.
-Speed (RPM): This is how many revolutions per minute a compressor will need to run.
Amps and Voltage
The most important thing to know about air compressors is that they use amps and volts for their operation. You must know this because it determines how much current an air compressor uses at different speeds, which in turn affects its efficiency in terms of power consumption.
The amperage rating of an air compressor determines how powerful it will be, while the voltage rating determines its efficiency in terms of power consumption.
Voltage ratings can range from 120 volts up to 480 volts, but most compressors are rated for 240 or 120 volts.
Size of the air compressor
The size/capacity will also determine the number of amps an air compressor uses. For example, a 5-gallon compressor will use much less than the same-size compressor that uses a 30-gallon tank.
The air compressor that uses the 30-gallon tank will draw more amps because it is using much more air.
We will even compare air compressors that have different gallons and find out the number of amps they consume.
Air Compressor Efficiency
The efficiency of an air compressor is determined by its amperage rating, its current rating, and the speed at which it works.
As an example, if an air compressor has a 120-volt rating and it runs at 600 rpm, then that particular air compressor would have an efficiency of 0.75.
This means that in order for the same amount of work to be done as with another air compressor that had the same amperage but ran at 200 rpm and used 10 amps, then you would have to use 2 times as much power in order to do the same amount of work.
How many currents does a 220-volt air compressor use?
A 220V air compressor is expected to use up to 30 amps of electric current.
Well, this is just the average value not considering several other factors that can influence the actual results.
This implies that the amperage rating will always vary depending on the pressure you use every single time the compressor is on.
If you decide to use high pressure, the amperage may rise steadily up to 40 amps. For such an air compressor, you will be safe with two circuit breakers rated 20 amps each.
How many amps does a 110 air compressor use?
If you have a 110 air compressor, it will be able to use up to 15 amps. The lower wattage ratings could be the main reason why it draws a lesser current than the 220V air compressor.
However, it is not surprising to find some 110 air compressors having the same current as the 220V air compressors.
How do you know the amps that an air compressor uses?
The easiest method of finding out is by reading about the compressors.
Most air compressor manufacturers go ahead to indicate the actual value of the current that the compressor will draw when in use.
However, keep in mind that when starting an air compressor, there is a high likelihood that it will draw more current than when it is running.
Also, the compressor is likely to peak the current draw at some particular point of operation.
This will happen when you increase the volume of air to be compressed.
Current drawn by small air compressors
While we have discussed the ordinary large air compressors it will be prudent to touch on the small portable air compressors.
You should know their amperage.
-How much current does a 12-volt compressor use?
This air compressor draws a current between 10 amps to 30 amps. Keep in mind that this is a small air compressor that you can easily carry around.
-How much current does a pancake air compressor draw?
Pancake air compressors are also small. They are rated 2HP. They will require at least 10 amps to run smoothly. However, they can still run with 8 amps.
What causes an air compressor to draw so much current?
You have noticed that of late the compressor seems to be using too much current than it used to.
What could be the cause for this?
The cause is that the compressed air is being drawn from the tank and into the compressor.
One of the reasons could be a damaged electronic component.
Maybe the capacitor of the air compressor is not working. You should consider doing a replacement.
Inspect the air compressor to find out the main cause, then take the necessary step.
Do I need to keep my compressor on 24/7?
No! It will not take up too much power to run it every day if you do not use it for a long period of time.
It will only take up about 1/3 of its capacity in electricity to run it daily if there is no work being done on it for long periods of time; this includes if you have your air compressor set to auto-run mode on most models (most models will turn off after about 30 minutes in auto-run mode).
If you are using your air compressor for less than 30 minutes each day, then you should not worry about how much power it uses each day as long as your electricity bill stays within your utility’s standard rate.
Conclusion
From this guide, you can tell the amount of current that your air compressor is using.
You are also able to take necessary steps in case you detect any abnormalities.
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If you want to find more Electronic Components Distributors, please check out the following articles:
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