A Fine Controls little lesson on when to use a Back Pressure Reg

The function of a back pressure regulator is to limit and precisely control the upstream pressure of a gas or liquid, and is much more accurate than a relief valve.

The main difference between a back pressure reg and a safety relief valve is that most spring operated safety relief valves have a high reseating pressure which is inconsistent and unreliable.

A safety relief valve system should over-pressurisation take place. As such, when it’s set pressure is overcome, it will blow wide open immediately and exhaust all of the pressure.

A back pressure reg is not a safety device, it is designed for precision upstream pressure control. When the regulator set-point is overcome, it will "crack" open (not blow wide open) and try to exhaust only the excess pressure above the set-point. When it cracks open, it uses its sensing element (relief valve's do not have sensing elements) to reseat close to its original set pressure.

If you have any questions regarding back pressure regulators, safety relief valves or a general sales enquiry, please call our sales office on 0151 343 9966 or email [email protected]