Pressure Regulators Information

Pressure regulators are used to reduce the pressure to a lower pressure sub-system or to regulate system pressure at the desired value. Among the types of pressure regulators are back pressure, vacuum pressure, differential pressure, pressure-reducing and regulators for specific kinds of fluids like oil and fuel. The most important parameter to consider when specifying pressure regulators is the regulating or adjustment range.  This is the limit of adjustment control on the pressure range.  Common media types include air, fuel and oil, gas, hydraulic fluids, liquid, and steam. 

Pressure regulator types include balancing valve, general purpose, high pressure, low pressure, vacuum or compound regulator, differential or bias regulator, pressure-reducing regulator, and point-of-use.  Pressure balancing valves maintain even pressure when there is a pressure drain on the system.  Example: a balancing valve prevents surges of hot or cold water in a water supply system when one of the lines is used.  General purpose regulators are designed for typical industrial use; generally operates only above atmospheric pressure.  High pressure regulators are rated for inlet pressures higher than general purpose typically over 1000 psi.  Low pressure regulators have special design characteristics for precise control of pressures typically below 15 - 20 psi.  In a vacuum or compound regulator the regulator is designed to control fluid below atmospheric pressure; also known as "Absolute Pressure Regulator".  A differential or bias regulator maintains a pressure differential between two locations in the system.  In a pressure-reducing regulator pressure-reducing valves are used to provide a sub-circuit with a supply of fluid at a pressure, which is less than the pressure in the main circuit.  A point of use regulator designed to attach at or near a tool or device.

The body of pressure regulators can be made from acetal, aluminum, brass, bronze, cast iron, steel, stainless steel, and zinc.  Common connectors can be from 1/8” NPT to 2” NPT, British standard pipe thread and metric pipe thread.  Mounting types for pressure regulators include cartridge, pipe or line mount, stacked or switch mount, and subplate or manifold mount.

Common features for pressure regulators include integral pressure gauge, integral filter, integral lubricator, pressure relief, and tamper-proof.  Integral pressure gauges display system pressures.  Integral filters are for the fluid intakes.  Integral lubricators are for valve operation.  Pressure reliefs are a provision for bleeding off pressure at regulator.  Tamper-proof pressure regulators have a security device to prevent unwanted adjustment (lock, removable adjustor, etc.). 

• How to Select a Hayward Pressure Regulator
  Pressure regulators can be selected based on the size of the pipe in the system. But they're not like on/off valves, more is involved. Sizing a pressure regulator is a bit more difficult than sizing some other types of valves, but it is not all that hard to do. The first thing you need to do...
• Pneumatic Pressure Regulators
  . They should be used where sensitive pressure settings are required (less than 0.04 psi). Pistons, on the other hand, are generally more rugged and provide a larger effective sensing area in a given size regulator. The functional difference between precision and general-purpose regulators is the degree...
• Pressure Regulators vs. Backpressure Regulators
  ." To make matters worse, backpressure regulators are commonly mistaken for pressure regulators. The pressure regulator is a normally-open valve and is installed at the START of a system or before pressure sensitive equipment to regulate or reduce undesirable higher upstream pressure. The backpressure...