Atlas Copco GA 132 VSD (FF) Oil-injected Air Compressor

The Atlas Copco GA 132 VSD is a variable speed drive oil-injected rotary screw compressor rated at 132 kW of installed motor power. Three factory versions cover 8.5 bar, 10 bar, and 14 bar at 50 Hz. Instead of loading and unloading against a fixed set-point, the drive adjusts motor speed to follow the air demand of the plant. That makes the GA 132 VSD the natural choice where consumption swings between shifts. This page presents the full technical data together with the drive, air, and heat design details behind it.

Because the motor speed tracks consumption, energy savings of up to 35% are reachable compared with a fixed-speed installation, and total life cycle spending drops by an average of 22%. Starting is also gentle: unlike star-delta, DOL, or soft starter arrangements, the integrated drive brings the GA 132 VSD up without current peaks on the supply.

Technical Specifications

60 Hz Performance

Dimensions

Capacity figures are measured according to ISO 1217, Annex C and E, Edition 4 (2009), at an absolute inlet pressure of 1 bar and an intake temperature of 20°C. The 8.5 bar version is rated at 7 bar, the 10 bar version at 9.5 bar. The 14 bar version is rated at 13.5 bar in the Standard build or 12.5 bar in the Full Feature build. Full Feature versions reach maximum working pressures of 8.3 bar (120 psig), 9.8 bar (142 psig), and 12.8 bar (185 psig) on the three versions respectively. Installed motor power is 132 kW and the sound pressure level at the work station is 78 dB(A).

The GA 132 VSD package weighs 3415 kg in the Standard build and 4050 kg with Full Feature. Across the whole speed range the net pressure band is held within 0.10 bar (1.5 psi).

Integrated Drive and Motor Design

The Elektronikon controller manages both the compressor and the integrated converter, keeping every operating point of the GA 132 VSD inside safe machine parameters. The converter and motor were designed as one unit for this duty, with protected bearings and a motor built for low operating speeds while still covering compressor cooling needs.

The frequency converter sits in a cool overpressure cubicle, which keeps dust out and allows stable operation in ambient temperatures up to 50°C/122°F, with 46°C/114.8°F as the standard rating. A cubicle cooling booster extends the life of the electrical components. Every GA VSD machine is EMC tested and certified, so compressor operation does not influence external equipment and external sources do not disturb the drive.

Flow Range That Follows Demand

The working envelope of the GA 132 VSD is wide. On the 8.5 bar version the GA 132 VSD delivers anywhere from 128 l/s up to 513 l/s (271 to 1087 cfm) as demand requires. The 10 bar and 14 bar versions span 182 to 484 l/s and 178 to 409 l/s respectively. Flexible pressure selection with electronic gearing lets the version be tuned to the network rather than run at an unused margin.

Mechanical enhancements keep every component below critical vibration levels across the entire frequency range, so no speed is excluded from operation. That matters for the GA 132 VSD because a drive limited to a narrow speed band would surrender part of the savings this technology exists to deliver.

Element, Cooling, and Air Purity

Compression in the GA 132 VSD takes place in a state-of-the-art screw element with a patented asymmetric rotor profile and bearings selected for low wear. The cooling module separates the oil cooler from the aftercooler so each heat exchanger works at its own best efficiency point, and the fans sit in the middle of the package for fresh airflow and low noise.

Air quality is handled inside the canopy. A 3-step separation process holds residual oil content below 3 ppm, an integrated water separator with electronic drain removes 100% of the condensate, and a heavy duty intake filter captures 99.9% of particles down to 3 microns, roughly doubling the lifetime of the fine filter element.

Full Feature Package

Full Feature builds of the GA 132 VSD add an integrated refrigerant dryer that guarantees a pressure dewpoint of 3°C/37°F at reference conditions. All wiring and piping are assembled in the factory, so nothing extra has to be installed between machine and network.

The patented Saver Cycle Control stops the dryer whenever the compressor unloads or stops, and restarts it the moment the dewpoint begins to rise, which cuts the dryer’s own power draw sharply. Adding a general purpose coalescing filter lifts the package to a 1 micron particle class and 0.1 ppm residual oil for applications that need cleaner air.

Energy Recovery

Most of the electrical energy that enters compression leaves as heat, and an integrated recovery system on the GA 132 VSD can return up to 94% of the shaft power as useful heat. The output is hot water at 85°C to 90°C (185°F to 194°F), suitable for space heating, showers, or process duties, with the main heat exchanger module built into the compressor.

Ducting offers a simpler route. Flexible ducting directs warmed cooling air toward workshops or storage areas, and louver flaps vent it outside when seasons change, with motorized and thermostatically controlled louvers available for precise command of the heating airflow.

Where the GA 132 VSD Fits

Plants with two-shift patterns, batch production, or steadily growing air demand get the most from the GA 132 VSD, since the drive converts part of every fluctuation into savings. Where the requirement is a flat, continuous load around the clock, a fixed-speed GA 132 remains a sensible alternative. For larger networks in the same VSD family, the Atlas Copco GA90-160 VSD⁺ Oil-injected Air Compressors extend the platform upward.

GA 132 VSD FAQ

Which pressure versions does the GA 132 VSD come in?

The GA 132 VSD comes in three versions at 50 Hz: 8.5 bar, 10 bar, and 14 bar. At 60 Hz the versions are rated 8.6 bar (125 psi), 10.4 bar (150 psi), and 13.8 bar (200 psi).

How much energy can the VSD drive save?

Savings of up to 35% are reachable where demand fluctuates, and total life cycle spending drops by an average of 22%.

How stable is the network pressure?

The net pressure band is maintained within 0.10 bar (1.5 psi) across the entire operating range.

What are the weight and noise figures?

The GA 132 VSD Standard package weighs 3415 kg and the Full Feature package 4050 kg, with a sound pressure level of 78 dB(A) at the work station.

Is the drive safe for nearby equipment?

Yes. All GA VSD compressors are EMC tested and certified, so the machine neither disturbs external sources nor suffers interference from them.

Can the heat from the GA 132 VSD be reused?

Yes. Up to 94% of the shaft power can be recovered as hot water at 85°C to 90°C, or the warm cooling air can be ducted to heat adjacent spaces.