What is the Difference Between an Air Vacuum Pump and an Air Compressor?

Although you may first think that an air vacuum pump and air compressor are similar, if not the same, they actually serve very different purposes. They may use almost identical technology, but they have many differences which we will explore in this article.

Air Vacuum Pump vs Air Compressor

It’s important to understand the difference between an air vacuum pump and an air compressor, so you can make sure you choose the right system for you and your application.

Closed Environment vs Open Environment

The working principle of an air vacuum pump compared to an air compressor is one of the main differences between them both. As a pump intakes air from a closed environment, an air compressor intakes air from an open environment.

Air Vacuum Pump Capacity vs Air Compressor Storage Capacity

Air vacuum pumps do not need storage capacity. Rather, their capacity depends on the pressure or vacuum it can achieve; this is typically defined in mbars. When it comes to air compressors, different models have different capacities to accommodate the volume of air they can compress; this is typically defined in cubic feet per minute.

Vacuum Strength vs Compression Requirements

For air vacuum pumps, strength is measured according to absolute output pressure, so the lower the number, the more powerful the pump. For air compressors, strength is measured by its ability to produce high compression requirements, so the higher the number, the more powerful the compressor.

Fluctuating Flow Rate vs Consistent Flow Rate

A vacuum pump’s flow rate depends on the pressure at either end of the pump and decreases as the vacuum pressure increases, causing it to fluctuate. However, the flow rate of an air compressor is always consistent and depends on its capability for volume reduction.

Less Power vs More Power

Characteristically, vacuum pumps use less power to operate compared to air compressors. Even though this is thought to be more efficient and can be adjusted to derive efficiency rates along the pressure flow curves, the comparative power usage depends on what the pump or compressor is being used for as different applications will need different power requirements.

Air Vacuum Pump & Air Compressor from Air Power East

As you can see, both pieces of equipment work in different ways. For industrial uses and large-scale operations, you will need to take into consideration your requirements to determine the most efficient option for you.

At Air Power East, with our years of experience, we can help guide you to find the equipment for your application. We not only provide both air vacuum pumps and air compressors but other additional service such as installation, servicing and air quality testing. Get in touch with us today to discuss your requirements.