photographic test results comparing 3 popular pressure regulators...a discount brand, a popular international brand, and Plast-O-Matic.

POM Home Page This page has links to specific products Catalog Pages in .PDF formatArticles & FAQs about all types of Plastic Valves & Applications Who's who at Plast-O-Matic, Map to find our plant and offices in Cedar Grove, Trade Show schedule, Customer Reference list & much more... Clickable map of Distributors, also some helpful Industry Links Quote Request Form

PRESSURE REGULATOR COMPARISON


Testing performed March 18, 2001 with ½" NPT PVC pressure regulators purchased from authorized distributors. In these photos, flow direction is left to right.

Regulators were set at 30 psi according to manufacturer's instructions. Inlet pressure was approximately 95 psi unregulated city water pressure as supplied by the Passaic Valley Water Commission, Little Falls, NJ. At this point, the "no flow" photo was taken.

A ball valve installed downstream was then opened to permit flow. As flow was allowed to approximately 6 GPM, the second photo was taken. The photographic results are presented below for you to compare. If you have any questions concerning the test procedures or results, please use the e-mail link below or telephone (973) 256-3000 and speak to our Technical dept.

The photographs average 17K and will take approximately 6 seconds each to download with a 56K modem. There are 8 photos; the entire page should load in less than 1 minute. Please scroll down to view the results.



Test #1 -- Discount brand Pressure Regulator


photo of discount brand regulator that has been set at 30 psi in a no-flow condition

Photo of discount brand regulator that has been set at 30 psi in a no-flow condition. Inlet is at left.

photo of discount brand regulator in a flowing condition

Photo of discount brand regulator in a flowing condition. The flow rate was approximately 6 gpm. Actual downstream pressure is 7.5 psi.



Test #2 -- International brand Pressure Regulator


photo of international brand pressure regulator that has been set at 30 psi in a no-flow condition

Photo of a popular international brand regulator that has been set at 30 psi in a no-flow condition. Inlet is at left.

photo of international brand pressure regulator in a flowing condition

Photo of international brand regulator in a flowing condition. The flow rate was approximately 6 gpm. Actual downstream pressure is 14 psi.



Test #3 -- Plast-O-Matic Pressure Regulator


photo of Plast-O-Matic regulator that has been set at 30 psi in a no-flow condition

Photo of a Plast-O-Matic True Blue regulator that has been set at 30 psi in a no-flow condition. Inlet is at left.

photo of international brand regulator in a flowing condition

Photo of Plast-O-Matic True Blue regulator in a flowing condition. The flow rate was approximately 6 gpm. Actual downstream pressure is 23 psi.



Test #4 -- Plast-O-Matic Air-Loaded Pressure Regulator with optional Stabilizer


photo of Plast-O-Matic PRA Series regulator with optional Series PRS Stabilizer that has been set at 30 psi in a no-flow condition

Photo of a Plast-O-Matic air loaded regulator, with optional Series PRS Stabilizer, that has been set at 30 psi in a no-flow condition. Inlet is at left.

photo of Plast-O-Matic PRA Series regulator with optional Series PRS Stabilizer in a flowing condition

Photo of Plast-O-Matic PRA Series regulator with optional Series PRS Stabilizer in a flowing condition. The flow rate was approximately 6 gpm. Actual downstream pressure is 29 psi.


The float in the flowmeter has been retouched in all flowing condition photos, simply to highlight it for visibility. The white laminated boards in the background have been retouched to eliminate confusing seams in all photos and airlines in test #4 photos. The brand labels in tests #1 and #2 have been retouched for anonymity. The illusion of "curving" or leaning valves in all photos is due to the wide-angle used to capture the gauges as clearly as possible.

• As demonstrated above, many manufacturers offer "pressure regulators" that strangulate more than they regulate; none deliver the same high performance as a Plast-O-Matic regulator. Typically, most regulators sense pressure with an actual restriction in the pipeline...Plast-O-Matic designs use a separate pressure sensing chamber off the downstream outlet that allows unimpeded flow.

As the photos demonstrate, "restriction" regulator designs create a significant drop-off from set pressure.

Effective pressure regulation requires minimal or no pressure loss from your desired set point, with minimal impact on flow capacity. All of the True Blue valves listed below represent the ultimate combination of pressure regulation and flow performance.

Please click on the appropriate link for web page with complete specifications:

Series PRE
Excellent performance 10 to 125 psi set pressure in 3/4" & 1" sizes

Series PR
High performance 5 to 50 psi set pressure 1/4" through 3" sizes

Series PRM
High performance 5 to 75 psi set pressure 1/2" PVC

Series PRH
High performance 30 to 125 psi set pressure 1/4" through 3" sizes

Series PRD
Differential pressure regulators 1/4" through 3" sizes

Series PRA
Air loaded pressure regulator 5 to 125 psi set pressure 1/4" through 3" sizes for the ultimate control and performance

or simply click here and request any of our Pressure Regulator Catalogs, or our helpful
   "What, How, Where & Why of Pressure Regulators" tutorial.

HELPFUL LINKS:


Explanation and diagram of the patented Fail Dry safety vent. This is available on Series PRA air loaded regulators.

Optional Cleanroom procedure available for all Plast-O-Matic Pressure Regulators

5 Most Common Mistakes When Specifying Valves

Valve Pressure Loss & Flow - Q&A and Equations
(Explains Cv and Delta P, how to better specify valves, etc.)

ORDERING INFORMATION:

Note: For complete information contact our Technical Sales group to discuss your specific needs, or please use the "Request for Quote" link to initiate the process. Quote Request Form


Plast-O-Matic Valves, Inc.
1384 Pompton Avenue
Cedar Grove, NJ 07009 USA
Voice: (973) 256-3000
Fax: (973) 256-4745

email      

top of page Top of Page

Viton ® is a registered trademark of DuPont Dow Elastomers.,
TRUE BLUE © is a copyright of Plast-O-Matic Valves, Inc.
Copyright © 2001-2005, 2012 Plast-O-Matic Valves, Inc.