30 HP air compressors: 130 CFM fixed speed to 208 CFM variable speed

30 HP covers a wide CFM band because the airend behind the motor varies so much. A 30 HP fixed speed screw makes 114 to 134 CFM, a 30 HP variable speed unit on a larger airend makes 163 to 208 CFM at reduced pressure, and a 30 HP duplex piston set makes about 100 CFM. This is the size for a 25 to 30 bay dealership, a plastics or metal stamping plant, a lumber mill finishing line, or a plant that runs a 1/2 inch sandblast nozzle. Three phase 460 volt is standard.

What is on this page

Fixed speed rotary screw: Atlas Copco GA15-30 (GA26 at 106 to 134 CFM across 100 to 175 PSI builds), Atlas Copco G15L-22 (G22 at 103 to 128 CFM), Chicago Pneumatic QRS 30 at 114 CFM, Chicago Pneumatic CPBg 30 gear drive at 130 CFM, and Quincy QGS 30 at 125 PSI. Variable speed: Atlas Copco GA22-37 VSDS (GA22 and GA26 at 179 to 208 CFM), Atlas Copco GA22-37 VSD (GA22 at 163 CFM), Chicago Pneumatic CPVSd 30 at 140 CFM, and Quincy QGSV-30 at 104 CFM and 175 PSI. Duplex piston: Quincy QT duplex Pro and Max (two 15 HP pumps) and Champion Duplex R-Series. Simplex piston: Champion R-Series 30 HP horizontal and base mounted at 102 CFM and 175 PSI. Oil free scroll: Atlas Copco SF+ 30 multi scroll, Quincy QOF 30 at 86 CFM, and Chicago Pneumatic COAIRE CSOF-S 30.

Why the CFM spread is so wide

Horsepower is the motor rating, not the air output. A 30 HP motor on a GA26 fixed speed airend makes 134 CFM at 100 PSI. The same 30 HP on a GA22 VSDS makes 208 CFM because the variable speed drive lets the larger airend run at the speed the motor can carry at that pressure. If you are replacing a machine, match CFM at your working pressure first and horsepower second, or you will end up with 30 HP and less air than the unit you took out. Duplex piston sets at this size are chosen for redundancy and 175 PSI, not for efficiency.

Power, receiver and dryer

Plan on 80 amps at 230 volt three phase or 40 amps at 460 volt, with a starter or the packaged drive. A 240 to 400 gallon receiver for fixed speed, 200 gallons for variable speed. Size the refrigerated air dryer to the machine you buy, 150 to 250 CFM across this page, and consider a cycling dryer on the variable speed units since both will spend much of the day at part load.

Related pages

• 25 HP air compressors
• 40 HP air compressors
• 15 to 30 HP air compressors and over 30 HP air compressors
• 125 CFM air compressors and 150 CFM air compressors
• Variable speed rotary screw air compressors
• Shop by HP, Shop by CFM and Shop by PSI