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. Inlet is at left.

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 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 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 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 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 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. The flow rate was approximately 6 gpm. Actual downstream pressure is 29 psi.

• 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.

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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.

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