Variable Speed Compressors
Variable Speed Compressors are also know as variable speed drive compressors, and are air compressors that take advantage of variable speed drive technology. They employ a special drive which controls the RPM (Revolutions Per Minute) speed of the compressor, and this in turn saves energy when compared to its fixed speed equivalent. The most common form used in the air compressor industry uses a variable-frequency drive , and this is used to convert the AC input power to DC and then back to a quasi-sinusoidal AC power, with the use of an inverter switching circuit. The main benefits are, reduced power cost, reduced power surges, and the delivery of more constant pressure. The downside is the heavy expense of the drive and their sensitivity to heat and moisture. They combine a speed inverter, which converts the AC signal to DC and speeds up or slows down the motor, with a pressure transducer to precisely match the compressed air output to demand. The energy efficiency of these co...