Yes, an enclosed screw compressor can be installed directly in the workshop, without a dedicated room. It needs a spot away from workstations, with fresh and clean air, a stable floor and access for servicing. Our screw compressor data sheets state 65 to 72 ± 2 dB(A) depending on the model: a figure that helps you choose both the machine and its place.
This case complements our page on the quiet workshop compressor. If you do have a room for it, see where to install your compressor instead.
Choosing a model that fits the workshop
Without a plant room, two criteria separate the models: floor space and noise level. Values taken from the data sheets:
| Model | What it includes | Dimensions (L × W × H) | Weight | Noise level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S 55 | Standalone, 0.6 m³/min at 8 bar | 750 × 550 × 750 mm | 98 kg | 65 to 68 ± 2 dB(A) |
| S 75 | Standalone, 1.1 m³/min at 8 bar | 850 × 650 × 800 mm | 130 kg | 65 to 68 ± 2 dB(A) |
| K 75 | 4-in-1, 420 L receiver, dryer, filtration | 1650 × 850 × 1200 mm | about 310 kg | 66 ± 2 dB(A) |
| K 110 | 4-in-1, 340 L receiver, dryer, filtration | 1800 × 730 × 1530 mm | 400 kg | 68 to 72 ± 2 dB(A) |
A standalone compressor is more compact, but you have to add a receiver and a dryer next to it. The 4-in-1 puts everything on one frame: one footprint, one place to find. Our article 4-in-1 or standalone compressor covers the choice in detail.
Example: an S 75 with a vertical receiver and a dryer beside it takes several footprints to line up and connect. A K 75 fits on 1.65 × 0.85 m, plus the service clearance required by the manual.
Where to put it in the workshop
- Away from where people talk and phone. The back of the workshop, near an outside wall, is often the best choice.
- Not in a corner or against a wall. A corner reflects noise and restricts airflow. Respect the clearances in the manual.
- Away from dust. The compressor breathes workshop air. Keep it away from sanding, cutting and painting.
- Protected from knocks. Out of forklift routes, with a guard if needed.
- Close to the power supply. Our screw compressors run on three-phase power, at the voltage stated on their data sheet.
- Frost-free. An unheated workshop in winter can freeze the condensate in the receiver and dryer.
The heat stays in the workshop
A compressor turns much of the energy it uses into heat. Without a plant room, that heat goes into the workshop: welcome in winter, a nuisance in summer. A duct on the hot air outlet, sent outside in summer and into the workshop in winter, handles both seasons. Our article on the compressor in a 35 °C workshop gives the method.
Noise at the workstation
Decibels follow a logarithmic scale: 3 dB(A) more means double the sound energy. Between 65 and 72 dB(A), the difference is audible. Always compare two data sheets at the same measuring distance: see how to read a compressor data sheet.
To gain more: set the machine level on a floor that does not resonate, connect it with a flexible hose, and keep it away from fixed workstations. If you build a partition or screen, leave the air inlet and outlet clear. A closed box without ventilation makes the compressor overheat.
Condensate, network and servicing
- Condensate. The receiver and dryer discharge oily water. Plan a drain to an oil/water separator, not onto the floor: see water in compressed air.
- Connection. A flexible hose between the machine and the network stops vibration travelling along the pipes, as explained in our guide to connecting to the air network.
- Access. Leave room to open the covers, change the filters and read the controller.
Checklist before delivery
- Location chosen, away from workstations and dust.
- Flat, stable floor and service clearance around the machine.
- Three-phase supply nearby.
- Condensate drain and flexible connection to the network.
- Hot air outlet planned for summer.
The configurator chooses the power for your tools. Describe your workshop in a quote request and we will help you find the right spot.
For your trade: Quiet compressor for workshops.