150 PSI air compressors: headroom for long runs and 120 PSI tools

A 150 PSI rating buys margin. Shops with long pipe runs, several dryers and filters in series, or a few tools that want 110 to 120 PSI at the inlet pick a 150 PSI machine so the compressor can hold a 125 to 135 PSI band without short cycling against its relief valve. It also stores roughly 20 percent more usable air in the same receiver than a 125 PSI unit. The trade is CFM: a given motor makes roughly 8 to 15 percent less air at 150 than at 125 PSI, so compare the CFM at your working pressure, not the nameplate HP.

What is on this page

Rotary screw: Quincy QGS and QGSV variable speed, Chicago Pneumatic QRS, CPBG, CPCG and CPI in 150 PSI builds, Atlas Copco GA5-18 VSDS and GA22-37 VSDS variable speed, and GA15 to GA37 and G7L to G22 fixed speed at 150 PSI. Oil free scroll at 145 PSI (10 bar): Atlas Copco SF2-6 and SF8-22 and Quincy QOF. Piston: Champion VP series at 150 PSI, Quincy 2 HP single stage units at 145 PSI, the ABAC AB-224VP 2 HP 24 gallon and the DeWalt 1.6 gallon quiet unit. Portables rated 150 PSI: Atlas Copco XATS 250 KD8, XAS 400-150 PACE and X-Air 375-150 towables for blasting and drilling.

Sizing notes

On a variable speed rotary screw (Atlas Copco VSDS, Quincy QGSV) set the target pressure as low as the farthest tool allows; the drive trims speed to hold it and the energy saving is immediate. On a fixed speed machine use a 15 to 20 PSI band and a receiver of at least 1 gallon per CFM. Refrigerated dryers are rated at 100 PSI inlet, and at 150 PSI the same dryer handles more flow, so check the manufacturer correction factor before you oversize. The 145 PSI scroll machines deliver Class 0 oil free air and are the usual choice for labs, dental, food and electronics where oil carryover is not acceptable.

Related pages

• 135 PSI air compressors
• 175 PSI air compressors
• Variable speed rotary screw air compressors
• Refrigerated air dryers
• Shop by PSI and Shop by CFM