Difference Between Turbocharger and Supercharger [Notes & PDF]

Table of Contents

Today we will study the difference between turbocharger and Supercharger in detail.

Almost 19 points I have listed here to understand you.

If you know already what is Turbo and Supercharger then directly you can move to the differences otherwise let’s know in brief turbocharger and supercharger.

Turbocharger:

It is a turbine-driven forced induction device that increases an internal combustion engine’s efficiency and also power output by forcing extra compressed air into the combustion chamber. The turbocharger is used in trains, cars, buses, and more engines.

You can read the turbocharger in detail.

Supercharger:

The supercharger is also called an air compressor. The function of an air compressor is to compress the fuel that means increasing the pressure of the fuel of an ic engine. Increasing the pressure of fuel means the burning of fuel will be more and fast, which will provide more work.

Thus even supercharger works are the same.

Difference between Turbocharger and Supercharger:

The main differences between Turbocharger and Supercharger are Turbocharger is not connected directly to the engine and whereas a Supercharger is a direct connection with the engine through the belt.

There are 19 points I have listed here.

So let’s start at each point.

Sl No.	Turbocharger	Supercharger
1.	The turbocharger is not connected directly to the engine.	The supercharger is a direct connection with the engine through a belt.
2.	It has smog-altering equipment that lowers the carbon emission.	The supercharger does not have a wastegate. So the smog emits from a supercharger.
3.	It uses exhaust gas for its energy.	It is a connected crankshaft of the engine for its energy.
4.	The spinning rate is 15000 RPM	The spinning rate is 50000 RPM.
5.	This is a device consisting of both the turbine and compressor mounted on the same shaft.	This is basically a compressor.
6.	It does not need any extra power.	Here in the supercharger extra power is to be supplied.
7.	It drew power from exhaust gases.	It drew power from the engine.
8.	Higher speed achieved.	Greater acceleration is achieved.
9.	It takes time to spin up to the speed hence there is lag.	Here no lag. Power delivers immediately.
10.	Difficult maintenance.	Easy maintenance.
11.	This is costly.	The cost is less.
12.	More efficient because it drew power from exhaust gases.	A supercharger is less efficient.
13.	Suitable for an engine with higher displacement.	Suitable for an engine with lower displacement.
14.	Turbos won’t start operating until a sufficient amount of exhaust gases is produced.	Superchargers start working as soon as the engine starts.
15.	Here a compressor is rotated by the turbine.	The compressor is rotated by the engine crankshaft through a belt.
16.	This is more complex.	but this one is less complex.
17.	The intercooler requires here to for lowering the temperature of compressed air.	The chances of the requirement of the intercooler are negligible. But some time is needed.
18.	The compressed air has a high temperature in the turbocharger.	The compressed air has a low temperature in the supercharger.
19.	This is less reliable.	This is more reliable.