Vacuum Pumps vs. Compressors: What's the Difference and When to Use Each?

Ever heard of a vacuum pump or a compressor? If you haven't, that's okay. They are weird machines that adults use to make air or gas move around inside them. They're important in so many places- be it in a hospital, a factory, or even your home.

What is a Vacuum Pump?

A vacuum pump is a device that removes air or gas from a volume. A vacuum is empty space where you no longer have any readily available air. It's super useful for several reasons. For one, putting food in a jar and applying the VACUUM PUMP-its parameters-prevent food from decaying. That's because vacuum-sealing the food in the jar prevents things such as mold from growing on the food.

What is a Compressor?

Compressor: A machine for increasing the pressure of air or gas by forcing it into a space. This indicates that it is capable of moving air from one place to another. This is best illustrated with an example. The compressor pumps air from the outside and into the tire, getting it pumped up and ready to go.

How Are They Different?

Although both machines are meant to disperse air or gas, they significantly differ in terms of function. Vacuum pumps are used when you need to remove air from something; compressors are used when you want to add air into it. A key difference is how they are powered. Electricity can power vacuum pumps, but they can also be hand pumped. This means you can always use a vacuum pump even when electricity is not available. Unlike compressors that have to be run on electricity or gas. This makes vacuum pumps very practical in operations where electricity isn't accessible.

When to Use Each Machine? 

Consider what you want to use it for when deciding if you need a vacuum pump or a compressor. Vacuum pump: When the objective is to take out air or gas from a defined area, a electric vacuum pump is used. But if you need to introduce air, or boost the pressure, well, then a compressor is the tool for the job.

You should also consider the size of the space you are working in. Vacuum pumps are better suited for smaller spaces. They easily extract his air from small bottles or containers. Compressors are more efficient over larger spaces, though. For instance you can use a hand operated vacuum pump or a small ball inflator if you want to inflate a small ball for playing. But if you need to fill a huge swimming pool full of air, then an electric compressor will fill that pool at twice the efficiency speed.

Where Are They Used?

Before we dive, let us all acknowledge — vacuum pumps and compressors are involved in dozens of different jobs across various industries. One of those fields, for example, is medicine, in which vacuum pumps are essential. They assist in the elimination of air in surgical processes and very important to doctors for better visualization of surgical areas for a successful procedure. Vacuum pumps at manufacturing industries remove air bubbles from various products, for instance, silicone gel and chocolate are smoothened to look perfectly molded.

Even though compressors that are called pneumatic tools are also very vital things for other industries, mainly the construction sectors. They power tools like nail guns and jackhammers. These are power-hungry tools, and the role of compressors here is to deliver that power. Compressors are also used in factories to help machines that manufacture cars and other products. Many of these functions would be extremely hard, if not outright impossible without compressors.