Pressure regulators reduce supply (or inlet) pressure to a lower outlet pressure and work to maintain this outlet pressure despite fluctuations in inlet pressure. Reducing the inlet pressure to a lower outlet pressure is the key feature of pressure regulators. The air pressure regulator is also known as pressure reducing valves. Maintains a constant outlet pressure regardless of variations in inlet pressure or outlet flow.
In pneumatic instrumentation systems, instrument air is required to feed valve actuators and other instruments such as transmitters, controllers, control valves, etc. Examples of air pressure regulators are Masoneilan and Fisher. The figure shown above is the Fisher air regulator. As the pressure increases, it pushes the diaphragm closing the inlet valve and preventing air from the instrument from entering the regulator.
As the air exits the outlet side, the pressure inside the regulator decreases. Control knob lifts and turns clockwise. This compresses a spring, which in turn places the load on the diaphragm assembly. The diaphragm pushes down a valve pin connected to the valve seat and the seat drops down; this allows downstream air flow from the inlet port (P) to exit the outlet port (P).
As the air passes downward (P2), a breathing hole allows air to enter a chamber below the diaphragm; once the pressure on both sides of the seat is equal, the seat is closed with the aid of the washer. If your compressor shows a maximum of 150 PSI, the maximum volume of air pressure that the unit will possibly generate will be 150 pounds per square inch. On most air compressors, there is no reason to modify the pressure switch settings because it is adjusted to factory specifications. Typically, if the natural air in your workspace is 14.7 or close, you should have no problem generating pressurized air at full PSI, as indicated on the air compressor.
Even if you have a strong set of filters in place, the compressed air generated in the system could be compromised if the surrounding work area lacks favorable environmental conditions. When an air compressor is turned on, air starts to build up in the tank, which increases the amount of pressure built up. The pressure regulator is essentially a control valve that allows you to increase or decrease the air flow depending on your needs with a given application. When you regulate your air compressor, you can reduce the amount of energy needed to run your pneumatic operations.
During cases where the pressurization intensity of the air stored within the tank reaches a level that exceeds the capacity of the air compressor, the pressure switch will suspend the activity of the compressor pump. The pressure switch will also activate when the pressurization within the air tank falls below the minimum level required for the application in question. Most tools and many components have an optimum working pressure, which is invariably lower than the operating pressure of the compressor. Even so, now that you know the types of pressure regulators and how to maintain these components, you can reduce the possibility of problems with your air compressor.
This ensures that the tools and the air compressor system are not damaged due to extreme pressure buildup. If pressure regulator settings are not controlled, air tools may be subject to incorrect PSI. For many of the same reasons you need to perform regular maintenance on your air compressor, it's also crucial to actively maintain your pressure regulator. The numbers will vary depending on the capacity of the air compressor and the types of pneumatic applications the system performs.
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