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Enclosed Air Compressors
Enclosed Air Compressors
Enclosed air compressors house the pump, motor, and tank inside a sound-dampening cabinet, reducing operating noise to levels suitable for installation near work areas, offices, and patient care spaces. CompressorPros carries enclosed piston, scroll, and rotary screw models from 3 to 40+ HP. Standard shipping is free.
What Are Enclosed Air Compressors?
An enclosed air compressor, sometimes called a cabinet enclosed air compressor, packages the pump, motor, and controls inside a sound-insulated enclosure. The cabinet absorbs vibration and dampens noise, allowing the compressor to operate near workshops, offices, dental offices, and production floors with less noise polution. Enclosed units are available across piston, scroll, and rotary screw compressors, making this a form-factor category that spans a wide range of horsepower and applications.
Enclosed Piston vs. Enclosed Scroll vs. Enclosed Rotary Screw
The enclosure reduces noise regardless of pump type, but the underlying technology determines CFM output, duty cycle, and air purity.
Enclosed Piston Compressors
Enclosed piston compressors pair a standard reciprocating pump with a noise-reducing cabinet, typically bringing noise levels from 80-85 dBA down to the 60-75 dBA range. They are available from 5 to 15 HP and deliver the same CFM output as their open-frame counterparts. Duty cycles remain in the 50-70% range, making them well-suited to auto shops, woodworking studios, and maintenance facilities that need periodic high-CFM output without the full noise impact. The BelAire QP318VLE 7.5 HP Quiet Power 80 Gallon Air Compressor is a strong example of an enclosed two-stage piston unit for shop environments.
Enclosed Scroll Compressors
Enclosed scroll air compressors combine the inherently quiet scroll mechanism with a sound-dampening cabinet, achieving noise levels as low as 55-65 dBA. All scroll compressors are oil-free, making enclosed scroll units the standard for hospitals, dental facilities, pharmaceutical plants, and clean rooms that need both quiet operation and contaminant-free air. They range from 5 to 40 HP and are rated for 100% duty cycle. The Amico AE-SCR-20-463-FS 20 HP Enclosed Oil Free Scroll Air Compressor is a mid-capacity option for facility-level clean air demand.
Enclosed Rotary Screw Compressors
Most, but not all rotary screw compressors ship enclosed as standard. The cabinet houses the airend, motor, oil system, and cooling components in a single package, typically operating between 60 and 76 dBA. Enclosed rotary screw units can operate at 100% duty cycle and are available from 3 to well over 100 HP, serving manufacturing plants, large auto body shops, and industrial facilities.
Types of Enclosed Air Compressors
Enclosed Simplex Compressors
A single pump and motor housed in one cabinet. This is the standard configuration for most enclosed piston and scroll compressors. Simplex units range from 5 to 10 HP for piston models and 5 to 40 HP for scroll systems. The Chicago Pneumatic RCP-583VQP 5 HP Quiet Power Air Compressor is an entry-level enclosed simplex piston for shops upgrading from open-frame units.
Enclosed Compressor Systems with Dryer
Many rotary screw air compressors are available as a complete air system, which is an enclosed air compressor mounted on an air receiver and includes a dryer.
Key Specifications
- Noise Level (dBA): The defining advantage of enclosed compressors. Enclosed piston units typically operate at 60-75 dBA; enclosed scroll compressors at 55-65 dBA; enclosed rotary screw at 60-76 dBA. For context, normal conversation is about 60 dBA and a standard open-frame piston compressor often exceeds 80-85 dBA.
- CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute): Enclosed units deliver the same CFM as their open-frame equivalents. The cabinet does not reduce air output. Match CFM to your combined tool and process demand with a 20-30% buffer.
- HP (Horsepower): Ranges from 5 HP for entry-level enclosed piston units to 40+ HP for enclosed scroll and rotary screw systems.
- Tank Capacity (Gallons): Enclosed piston models commonly pair with 60-120 gallon tanks. Enclosed scroll compressors are available in tank mount (integrated) and base mount (separate tank) configurations.
- Voltage/Phase: Smaller enclosed units run on 230V single phase. Models above 7.5 HP are typically three phase.
Brands Carried
- BelAire: Quiet Power series featuring enclosed two-stage piston compressors at 5 and 7.5 HP with cast iron pumps.
- EMAX: Silent Air and Industrial Plus series offering enclosed simplex and duplex piston compressors with optional integrated dryers and NEMA 4 enclosures.
- Chicago Pneumatic: RCP Quiet Power series with enclosed cabinet piston compressors from 5 to 7.5 HP.
- Amico: Full line of enclosed oil-free scroll compressors from 5 to 40 HP for medical, dental, and industrial clean-air applications.
And Many More.
FAQ
How much quieter is an enclosed air compressor than an open-frame unit? Enclosed cabinets typically reduce noise by 10-20 dBA compared to the same compressor without an enclosure. Because the decibel scale is logarithmic, a 10 dBA reduction represents roughly half the perceived loudness.
What is the most common mistake when buying an enclosed air compressor? Not accounting for ventilation. Enclosed compressors generate heat inside the cabinet, and most require adequate clearance around air intake and exhaust vents. Installing one in a tight closet or against a wall can cause overheating and premature wear.
Can I enclose an existing open-frame compressor myself? Building a DIY enclosure is possible but risky. Purpose-built enclosed compressors are engineered with proper airflow channels, vibration isolation, and thermal management. An improperly ventilated enclosure can trap heat and shorten pump life significantly.
Do enclosed compressors need different maintenance? Maintenance intervals are the same as the equivalent open-frame model. However, the cabinet panels need to be removed for service access, so ensure you have clearance to open or remove panels during routine oil changes, filter replacement, and belt inspections.
Are enclosed compressors suitable for outdoor installation? Some models feature NEMA-rated enclosures designed for outdoor or harsh-environment use, but most enclosed compressors are built for indoor installation. Check the manufacturer's rating before placing a unit outdoors.
Does CompressorPros offer free shipping on enclosed compressors? Yes. All orders ship free, direct from the manufacturer, on every unit in this category.
Shop Enclosed Air Compressors at CompressorPros
CompressorPros carries enclosed air compressors across piston, scroll, and rotary screw technologies. Whether you need a quiet piston compressor for your shop, an enclosed scroll system for a medical facility, or a quiet rotary screw for an industrial plant, this category includes options from 3 to 40+ HP. Browse the full quiet and silent air compressor selection for additional noise-reduced options. All orders ship free, direct from the manufacturer.
If you need help choosing an enclosed compressor for your facility, call (803) 339-0445 or email info@compressorpros.com.