Atlas Copco GA 26 VSD (FF VSD⁺) Oil-injected Air Compressor

The Atlas Copco GA 26 VSD pairs a 26 kW (35 hp) motor with an integrated variable speed drive in the GA 22-45 VSD series. The family runs in two branches: the current machine with an iPM motor and Neos Next inverter, and the earlier GA 26 VSD+ build on the WorkPlace frame. Pack and Full Feature supply applies where the table lists two weights. Because the converter synthesizes its own motor frequency, the published performance applies to 50 Hz and 60 Hz plants in one table. Maximum working pressure for VSD machines is 13 bar(e) (191 psig).

Factory variants span 4, 7, 9.5, and 12.5 bar, so the GA 26 VSD serves low-pressure processes and high-pressure tools from a single network. The drive accelerates the motor without current peaks and allows a restart into a pressurized line.

Технические характеристики

Performance is measured according to ISO 1217, Annex E, Edition 4:2009, and the same capacity envelope holds for both supply frequencies.

Every GA 26 VSD variant runs on the same 26 kW (35 hp) motor. The Pack weighs 392 kg and the Full Feature build 533 kg. The vertical canopy measures 870 mm wide, 854 mm deep, and 1725 mm high. The Full Feature build keeps the width and height and extends depth to 1330 mm, because the dryer module rides on the shared frame.

The GA 26 VSD+ Branch

The earlier GA 26 VSD+ build carries the same 26 kW (35 hp) rating as the GA 26 VSD, with a 13 bar(e) (188 psig) maximum working pressure. Four variants cover 4, 7, 9.5, and 12.5 bar. Its mean noise level reads 67 dB(A), measured at one meter at maximum working pressure according to ISO 2151 and ISO 9614-2.

Capacity is referenced to ISO 1217, Annex E, with FAD measured at 5.5, 7, 9.5, and 12.5 bar(e) effective working pressures. The WorkPlace package weighs 373 kg and the Full Feature build 490 kg. The frame of the GA 18-37 VSD+ group stands 1420 mm high and 630 mm long, at 610 mm wide as a standard build and 985 mm wide with the Full Feature treatment, which makes it the lighter and shorter option of the two branches.

Drive Train and Inverter

The GA 26 VSD drives the element through an IP66-protected drive train with an oil-cooled iPM motor that equals IE5 motor efficiency standards. No gears or belts means no transmission losses. The Neos Next inverter combines the functionality of an entire electrical cubicle in one compact unit and carries an IP54 rating against dust and dirt. Together with the motor it exceeds the IES2 requirements for power drive efficiency.

Soft acceleration spares the electrical infrastructure, and a restart into a pressurized network needs no depressurizing procedure. The Elektronikon Touch controller supervises compressor and drive together, with warning indications, shutdown handling, and maintenance scheduling, and SMARTLINK remote monitoring is standard.

Turning Down to a Trickle

On the 7 bar variant the GA 26 VSD modulates from 13.1 l/s up to 77.5 l/s (28 to 164 cfm) as the plant breathes. That is a turn-down of nearly six to one. A fixed speed unit below its load point has to blow the surplus to atmosphere, spending power on air nobody uses. The variable speed machine simply slows the element and rides the demand curve instead.

Network pressure stays inside a narrow band across the whole operating range of the GA 26 VSD. Downstream equipment sees a steady supply, and the safety margin that plants normally hold against fluctuations can shrink. Fewer load and unload cycles also ease wear on the element, the motor, and the switchgear.

Air Path and the Full Feature Build

Intake air on the GA 26 VSD passes the inlet filter and the intake valve before reaching the screw element. An air/oil separation vessel, minimum pressure valve, and aftercooler complete the circuit, with a water separator and drain handling the condensate. Options extend the package with a heavy duty inlet filter, pre-filter, DD and UD+ filtration, and dryer bypass.

The Full Feature build carries an integrated refrigerant dryer with all wiring and piping completed in the factory and tested as one unit before dispatch. No field plumbing between compressor and treatment equipment is needed, and heat recovery can return up to 80% of the input energy as useful warmth.

Where the GA 26 VSD Fits

Plants whose air draw moves between shifts, batches, or seasons gain the most from the GA 26 VSD. Every minute of avoided unloaded running shows up directly on the power bill. The vertical build parks against a wall or at the point of use, and mixed-pressure sites can consolidate two fixed speed units into one machine. For level, full-load duties the fixed speed Atlas Copco GA 30 Oil-injected Air Compressor one step up remains the natural choice.

GA 26 VSD FAQ

Why is there a single table for 50 Hz and 60 Hz?

The drive creates its own motor frequency, so element speed does not follow the grid, and one capacity envelope measured per ISO 1217, Annex E serves both supplies.

How far can output turn down?

On the 7 bar build flow modulates from 13.1 to 77.5 l/s (28 to 164 cfm). The 4 bar build reaches 77.9 l/s (165 cfm) at the top of its envelope.

What separates the current machine from the GA 26 VSD+?

The current GA 26 VSD build carries an iPM motor and Neos Next inverter in a vertical 854 mm deep canopy and reads 71 dB(A) at 392 kg. The GA 26 VSD+ is the earlier platform at 67 dB(A), weighing 373 kg as a WorkPlace package with a 630 mm long frame.

Which build for the lightest package?

The GA 26 VSD+ WorkPlace build at 373 kg is the lightest of the family, followed by its 490 kg Full Feature unit. The current branch weighs 392 kg and 533 kg at the same stages.

What does the Full Feature build include?

An integrated refrigerant dryer with factory wiring and piping, tested as one unit before dispatch. On the current machine the dryer extends depth from 854 to 1330 mm within the same 870 mm width.

How efficient is the motor?

The oil-cooled iPM motor equals IE5 motor efficiency standards, and the drive train is IP66 protected with no gears or belts to introduce transmission losses.