Air compressors come in many different sizes and variations. There are different horsepower motors, different size tanks and different piston configurations . But perhaps more importantly, all of them are rated in cubic feet per minute, or CFM of compressed air.
Typically, a compressor is rated at a certain number of CFM at a specified pressure. The portable 30- gallon Eastwood Compressor that is our best seller (#31436) is rated at 5.7 CFM at 90 PSI (pounds per square inch), while its 80- gallon bigger brother (#31440) is rated at 22.1 CFM at 100 PSI. Compare this to the requirements of some Eastwood pneumatic tools. Our Straight Line Sander (#13747) is rated at 5 CFM at 90 PSI, while our 50-pound Pressure Abrasive Blaster (#51117) needs 10 CFM at 90 PSI, and the popular Devilbiss Finishline HVLP spray gun (#12826) needs 13 CFM at 23 PSI. So that gives you some frame of reference.
While CFM was the only way for a long time to rate a compressor’s air flow, more and more compressors are now rated using SCFM, or standard CFM. What’s the difference between CFM and SCFM and what does this mean for you? We’ve looked SCFM vs. CFM air compressor ratings to help you compare them more easily.
CFM
The general stated CFM rating of a compressor should only be used as a guide line. Typically, they are using DCFM, or displaced CFM, which uses math to calculate how much air the cylinder of the compressor will be pumping out for a given RPM. This is kind of like the old- style horsepower ratings of the 1960’s, which didn’t take into account a lot of real world factors. In the real world, the compressor loses flow due to heat and friction, as well as any bottle necks in the fitting between the cylinder and the tank (and your air tool, but they can’t be responsible for your shop’s plumbing). There is also the ACFM, or actual CFM, which is taken by running the compressor and measuring the actual amount of air coming out of it.
SCFM
SCFM stands for standard CFM and is a more scientific way of stating things. SCFM usually starts with the measured CFM flow of the compressor, or ACFM, then adjusts it for a set of standard conditions agreed upon by science and industry. These are 14.5 PSI atmospheric pressure, 68 degrees Fahrenheit and 0 percent relative humidity. If you think about, it this makes sense. If the ambient pressure is lower (in Denver, for instance), there is less air around to compress, so the ACFM would be lower. Of course, the hotter the ambient temperature is, the less dense the air is – we all know that from tuning carbs at the drag strip. And more humidity means more water vapor in the air, which when compressed, turns into water and reduces the air output. So if you’re trying to convert 5 SCFM to CFM, you’ll need to know the actual temperature, pressure and humidity as they relate to the standard conditions.
The Effect of PSI on CFM
Just because a compressor is rated for a certain CFM at 100 PSI does not mean it produces a significantly greater CFM at 90 PSI. The piston displaces the same amount on each stroke and the RPM of the compressor motor is constant . S o at a lower PSI, there is less loss from heat and parasitic factors like friction, but not really a lot more air being pumped.
A good rule of thumb when buying a compressor is to look for one rated at 1.5 times the CFM requirement of the tools you are likely to use continuously for a long period of time. This will give you some leeway to account for changing temperatures, humidity and other factors that do affect the air compressor CFM.