Duty cycle is the percentage of time a compressor can run without overheating. It is one of the most important specifications for piston machines.
What It Means
- Duty cycle is run time divided by total time, as a percentage.
- A 50% duty cycle means 5 minutes running out of every 10.
- Exceeding it causes overheating and failure.
Piston vs Screw
- Piston machines often have a 50–75% duty cycle.
- Rotary screw machines are built for 100% duty.
- Continuous applications need a 100% duty machine.
Choosing Correctly
- Match the duty cycle to your usage pattern.
- Continuous tools need a screw compressor.
- Intermittent use can suit a piston machine.
Can I run a compressor continuously?
Only a 100% duty cycle machine, such as a rotary screw compressor, is designed for continuous operation.
Talk to an Engineer
Contact Panrui with your flow, pressure and air quality requirements to get a recommendation and factory quote for your project.