Ingersoll Rand X-Series System Controller for up to 12 Compressors

The Ingersoll Rand X-Series is a system automation controller for multi-compressor installations. The X4I manages up to 4 compressors, the X8I up to 8 and the X12I up to 12, in any mix of capacities and types: fixed speed on/off units, Nirvana variable speed compressors, machines with bolt-on or third-party VFDs, and compressors from any manufacturer. Existing equipment stays in place; the controller coordinates it.

Ingersoll Rand’s brochure puts the case plainly: 20 to 60% of compressed air energy is typically wasted by running extra compressors, the wrong mix, or too high a system pressure. An unloaded compressor still draws about 30% of its fully loaded energy, and in a 100 psig system every extra 10 psi adds about 5% to energy use. The X-Series answers this by holding all compressors in a tight band around one optimum pressure, running units only when needed, bringing standbys online at peak demand and keeping spare machines offline as reserve.

Sequencing can run on elapsed time or real time programmes with Equal Hours Run-time, FIFO (X4I) and FILO modes, and the X8I and X12I add an Energy Control Mode that learns the demand pattern and selects the most efficient compressor combination. The standard pressure range is 0 to 232 psig with an option to 1,000 psig, with 3 programmable pressure profiles on the X4I and more on the larger models. System standby, pre-fill, program bypass, power outage restart, fallback to local control, prioritised compressor selection and anti-cycling are built in, and the X4I adds pressure balancing and zone control. A Modbus gateway handles system communication, and the optional VX module gives a web view of the whole system in a standard browser over the LAN, with remote I/O of up to 2 points on the X4I and 12 on the X8I and X12I.

Harold Engineering carries out the equipment audit, design and installation of X-Series automation across Ireland from our Dublin and Galway bases, with 15 OEM trained field service engineers and a 24 hour breakdown callout service.