What is the difference between a single stage and a 2-stage air compressor?
In a single stage pump, each piston draws intake air, compresses it and immediately discharges into the air tank. A two stage piston compressor basically consists of a large and a small piston connected to the same crankshaft. In this arrangement the large piston performs the first stage of compression. The smaller piston compresses air in the second stage. An intercooler is placed between each of the stages. The intercooler cools the hot air discharged from the first stage before it enters the second stage. Two stage compressors usually have higher pressure ratings, higher duty cycles and are usually used in industrial applications.
