How to Identify Twin-Cylinder Air Compressors

Air compressors come in a variety of different kinds, sizes and strengths. Typical compressors come in one- or two-cylinder versions to suit the requirements of the tools they power. A twin-cylinder, also called two-cylinder, air compressor will enable more powerful tools to be run than a single-cylinder air compressor will allow.

Instructions

1




A twin-cylinder air compressor contains two cylinders that are equal in size.

Observe whether the air compressor in question has one or two cylinders. Twin-cylinder compressors are single-stage compressors with two cylinders of equal size that work in parallel with each other. On the homeowner/contractor level, most of the twin-cylinder models operate just like single-cylinder versions, except that there are two strokes per revolution instead of one.

2

If there are two cylinders on the air compressor in question, listen to whether both cylinders compress air simultaneously, or whether they alternate compression.

3

Identify a twin-cylinder air compressor by determining that both cylinders compress air simultaneously. Alternating cylinders indicate a dual- stage air compressor, rather than a twin-cylinder air compressor.