What Equipment Will Your Compressor Power?
Click on each tool or piece of equipment you use. Adjust quantities using the + / − buttons. The calculator updates your recommended TryComp model in real time.
How to Size an Air Compressor — Key Principles
Calculate Total Air Demand
Add up the free air delivery (FAD) in litres per minute of every tool or machine that will run simultaneously. This is your peak demand figure — the compressor must meet or exceed this at your required working pressure.
Add a Safety Headroom
Always size your compressor 20–30% above your calculated peak demand. This accounts for system leakage (typically 10–20% in most installations), future tool additions and prevents the compressor from running at 100% load continuously, which reduces service life.
Consider Air Quality
Spray painting, food processing and medical applications require dry, clean air. Add a refrigerated dryer and inline filtration to your system. This does not change the compressor kW size but is essential for downstream air quality.
Fixed Speed vs VSD
If your air demand is constant throughout the shift, a fixed-speed TryComp is the most cost-effective choice. If demand fluctuates significantly, a variable speed drive (VSD) compressor saves 20–40% on electricity. Our sizing team will advise on the optimal choice for your operation.
8 Bar vs 10 Bar
Most pneumatic tools, spray guns and general workshop equipment operate at 6–7 bar working pressure, making an 8 bar compressor the standard choice. High-pressure applications — tyre inflation to specification, some specialist tools — may require the 10 bar variant. Note: a 10 bar compressor has slightly lower FAD than the 8 bar equivalent at the same kW.
Get a Free Expert Assessment
This calculator provides a reliable guide, but the most accurate sizing comes from a technical conversation with our compressor specialists. We consider your actual tool list, operating hours, duty cycle, ambient temperature and future growth plans. Call us on +27 11 338 6008 — it's free and takes 10 minutes.
TryComp Range — Size vs Application
| TryComp Model | FAD (l/min) | FAD (CFM) | Typical Application | Get a Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.5kW | 765 | 27 | Small workshops, 1–2 spray guns, tyre centres | View → |
| 11kW | 1,130 | 40 | Automotive, small panel beating, fabrication | View → |
| 15kW | 1,530 | 54 | Medium workshops, multi-tool, food processing | View → |
| 22kW | 2,265 | 80 | Panel beating, medium manufacturing, fabrication | View → |
| 30kW | 3,090 | 109 | Large workshops, multi-station, light production | View → |
| 37kW | 3,795 | 134 | Heavy fabrication, medium production lines | View → |
| 45kW | 4,615 | 163 | Large manufacturing, mining workshops, bottling | View → |
| 55kW | 5,665 | 200 | Heavy industry, large production, multi-shift | View → |
| 75kW | 7,700 | 272 | Large plant, continuous heavy production | View → |
| 90kW | 9,255 | 327 | Industrial plant, multi-unit installations | View → |
| 110kW | 11,330 | 400 | Large industrial, mining surface plant | View → |
Not Sure? Talk to Our Compressor Sizing Specialists
Our technical team sizes compressors for South African workshops and factories every day. Give us your tool list, operating hours and location — we'll recommend the right TryComp and get you a quote within the hour.