Cylinder pressure regulators for industrial gases 200 and 300 bar

New series GCE ProControl cylinder pressure regulators for acetylene, oxygen and argon with flowmeter

GCE ProControl cylinder pressure regulators are screwed directly onto the valve of a gas cylinder and reduce the gas pressure – up to 200 or 300 bar, 25 bar for acetylene – to the working pressure or flow rate for welding, cutting, forming or a laboratory.

Each regulator is designed for one gas or group of gases and has a connection for exactly their cylinder. GCE ProControl regulators are equipped with pressure gauges with a rubber guard, a shut-off valve at the outlet and a relief valve and have been type-tested according to the ISO 2503 standard. For nitrogen there are also regulators with an outlet pressure of up to 200 bar, and flashback arrestors according to ISO 5175-1 for the point of use.

300 barmaximum cylinder pressure

9groups of gases

23cylinder pressure regulators

ISO 2503type tests

Choose according to the gas

Find the row with your gas and cylinder pressure. The regulator connection must exactly match the cylinder valve – adapters and intermediate pieces are not used.

Gas	Cylinder	Cylinder connection	Outlet	Regulators
air	200 bar	G 5/8" male	G 1/4" male	FDMLUFT10 (0–10 bar) FDMLUFT20 (0–20 bar)
oxygen	200 bar	G 3/4" female	G 1/4" male	FDMSAU10 (0–10 bar) FDMSAU20 (0–20 bar)
nitrogen	200 bar	W 24.32 × 1/14" female	G 1/4" male	FDMSTICK10 (0–10 bar) FDMSTICK20 (0–20 bar)
nitrogen	200 bar	W 24.32 × 1/14" female	12 L compression fitting	FDMSTICK100 (0–100 bar) FDMSTICK200 (0–200 bar)
argon and carbon dioxide (CO₂)	200 bar	W 21.8 × 1/14" female	G 1/4" male	FDMARGON (0–24 l/min) FDMARGONFM (0–30 l/min, FM)
carbon dioxide (CO₂), helium and argon	200 bar	W 21.8 × 1/14" female	G 1/4" male	FDMKOHLENS10 (0–10 bar) FDMKOHLENS20 (0–20 bar)
acetylene	25 bar	clamp	G 3/8" LH male	FDMACGAS (0–1.5 bar)
hydrogen, methane, natural gas and town gas	200 bar	W 21.8 × 1/14" LH female	G 3/8" LH male	FDMBRENN1,5 (0–1.5 bar) FDMBRENN10 (0–10 bar)
forming gas	200 bar	W 21.8 × 1/14" LH female	G 3/8" LH male	FDMFORMFM (0–50 l/min, FM)
air	300 bar	W 30 × 2 female (⌀ 16.6/19.4)	G 1/4" male	FDMHLUFT10 (0–10 bar)
oxygen	300 bar	W 30 × 2 female (⌀ 17.3/18.7)	G 1/4" male	FDMHSAU10 (0–10 bar)
nitrogen and argon	300 bar	W 30 × 2 female (⌀ 15.9/20.1)	G 1/4" male	FDMHSTICK10 (0–10 bar) FDMHSTICK50 (0–50 bar)
nitrogen	300 bar	W 30 × 2 female (⌀ 15.9/20.1)	12 L compression fitting	FDMHSTICK100 (0–100 bar) FDMHSTICK200 (0–200 bar)
hydrogen, methane, natural gas and town gas	300 bar	W 30 × 2 LH female (⌀ 15.2/20.8)	G 3/8" LH male	FDMHBRENN20 (0–20 bar)

Cylinder connections according to DIN 477-1 (200 bar, acetylene 25 bar) and DIN 477-5 (300 bar). LH = left-hand thread for flammable gases. Outlet G 1/4" or G 3/8" LH (male thread); the nitrogen regulators 0–100 and 0–200 bar have a 12 L compression fitting without a shut-off valve.

Connections of cylinder pressure regulators according to DIN 477-1 and DIN 477-5: male and female thread, left-hand thread and clamp — Regulator connections for 200 bar cylinders and 25 bar acetylene (DIN 477-1) and for 300 bar cylinders (DIN 477-5). LH = left-hand thread. The size of the drawing corresponds to the thread diameter.

Each connection belongs to one gas or group of gases – it does not fit a cylinder with a different gas. The numbers correspond to the picture:

air: G 5/8" male
oxygen: G 3/4" female
nitrogen: W 24.32 × 1/14" female
argon, carbon dioxide (CO₂) and helium: W 21.8 × 1/14" female
acetylene: clamp
hydrogen, methane, natural gas, town gas and forming gas: W 21.8 × 1/14" LH female
air: W 30 × 2 female (⌀ 16.6/19.4)
oxygen: W 30 × 2 female (⌀ 17.3/18.7)
nitrogen and argon: W 30 × 2 female (⌀ 15.9/20.1)
hydrogen, methane, natural gas and town gas: W 30 × 2 LH female (⌀ 15.2/20.8)

How to choose a cylinder pressure regulator

Gas. Use the regulator only for the gas it is designed for. Flammable gases (acetylene, hydrogen, methane, natural gas, forming gas) have an outlet with a G 3/8" LH left-hand thread and a cylinder connection with a left-hand thread – acetylene a clamp.
Cylinder pressure. 300 bar cylinders have a different connection (W 30 × 2) from 200 bar cylinders – a regulator for 200 bar does not fit them and vice versa. An acetylene cylinder is connected with a clamp.
Pressure or flow rate. For most gases, you set the outlet pressure (0–1.5 to 0–200 bar). For shielding gas in welding and for forming gas, it is the flow rate in l/min – with a flowmeter or with a scale in l/min.
Range. Choose the smallest range that your working pressure fits into – the setting will be finer.

Example: a welding shop needs argon to shield the weld, and the cylinders have 200 bar. Suitable is FDMARGONFM with a 0–30 l/min flowmeter, or FDMARGON with a 0–24 l/min scale.

Not sure which regulator to choose? Try the pressure regulator selector – based on line pressure, required pressure and flow.

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Safety

Connection diagram of a cylinder pressure regulator with flashback arrestor: cylinder, regulator with gauges, flashback arrestor, hose and point of use — 1 cylinder with cylinder valve, 2 cylinder connection according to DIN 477, 3 cylinder contents gauge p₁, 4 working pressure gauge p₂ (flowmeter in flowmeter versions), 5 handwheel for adjustment, 6 shut-off valve at the outlet, 7 flashback arrestor according to ISO 5175-1 (oxygen and flammable gases), 8 hose, 9 point of use.

use the regulator only for the gas stated in its name and on its label; do not modify the cylinder connection in any way
flammable gases have an outlet and cylinder connection with a left-hand thread (LH), acetylene a clamp – according to DIN 477, this distinguishes them from the connections for oxygen and non-flammable gases
oxygen: keep the regulator, cylinder and hoses free of oil and grease, do not use any lubricant during installation
acetylene: inlet pressure no more than 25 bar, working pressure no more than 1.5 bar (manufacturer GCE)
the point of use for flammable gases and oxygen is protected by a flashback arrestor – a safety device against flashback according to ISO 5175-1
GCE ProControl regulators have a relief valve and have been type-tested according to ISO 2503; the manufacturer’s operating instructions open via the QR code on the regulator label

Flashback arrestors

A flashback arrestor according to ISO 5175-1 (EN 730) is connected to the regulator outlet and protects the regulator, the pipework or a single cylinder against reverse gas flow and flashback. It contains a non-return valve, a flame arrestor and a temperature-controlled cut-off valve. It protects the point of use for oxygen and flammable gases:

oxygen: flashback arrestor FDM GSV 14 – operating pressure 0–25 bar, inlet G 1/4" female, outlet G 1/4" male
flammable gases: flashback arrestor FDM GSV 38 L – operating pressure 0–5 bar, inlet G 3/8" LH female, outlet G 3/8" LH male

What the regulator comes with

Dimensional drawing of the GCE ProControl cylinder pressure regulator — Width 178 mm (105 mm from the end of the cylinder connection to the regulator axis), height 216 mm, gauge guard 151 mm, handwheel ⌀ 52 mm. According to the GCE data sheet, version with two gauges and a union nut.

cylinder contents gauge and working pressure gauge (flowmeter versions only have a cylinder contents gauge and a flowmeter)
robust rubber guard for both pressure gauges with a rear cap against dust
shut-off valve at the outlet – you can interrupt the gas supply without the regulator being vented
relief valve set by the manufacturer
ergonomic handwheel for setting the pressure
body made of forged brass, spring housing made of Zn/Al die-casting
pressure gauges according to ISO 5171 with three scales and a contrasting pointer

The equipment applies to GCE ProControl regulators. The nitrogen regulators with a 0–100 and 0–200 bar outlet have a different design: a pressed brass body, a cylinder contents gauge and a working pressure gauge, and a 12 L compression fitting outlet without a shut-off valve.

Flow curves

The curves from the GCE data sheet show how the outlet pressure p₂ drops with increasing gas consumption and with decreasing cylinder pressure p₁. From a full cylinder the regulator holds the set pressure even at high consumption; from an almost empty cylinder it delivers less gas.

Flow curves of the acetylene cylinder pressure regulator — Acetylene, range 0–1.5 bar: outlet pressure p₂ in mbar versus flow rate Q for cylinder pressure p₁ of 15, 8 and 4 bar (GCE).

Flow curves of the nitrogen cylinder pressure regulator — Nitrogen, 300 bar cylinder, range 0–30 bar (this range is not offered): outlet pressure p₂ versus flow rate Q for cylinder pressure p₁ from 300 to 15 bar (GCE).

Spare parts and accessories

sealing rings for the cylinder connection: FDM DR (200 bar, polyamide) and FDMH DR (300 bar, EPDM, 10 pcs)
spare rubber gauge guard: FDM GS (not for flowmeter versions)
spare pressure gauges: pressure gauges for industrial gases
hoses: GOX for oxygen and GAC for acetylene

Series specifications

Parameter	Value
Standard	ISO 2503 (type tests)
Cylinder pressure	200 bar (DIN 477-1), 300 bar (DIN 477-5), acetylene 25 bar (clamp)
Outlet pressure	0–1.5 / 0–10 / 0–20 / 0–50 / 0–100 / 0–200 bar depending on the version
Flow rate (flowmeter and argon versions)	0–24 / 0–30 / 0–50 l/min
Outlet	G 1/4" (non-flammable gases), G 3/8" LH (flammable gases), male thread; nitrogen 0–100 and 0–200 bar 12 L compression fitting
Pressure gauges	cylinder contents and working pressure gauges, G 1/4" connections (ProControl with rubber guard)
Shut-off valve	at the outlet, included (not with the 12 L compression fitting outlet)
Relief valve	on all ProControl versions
Operating temperature	−20 to +60 °C
Material	ProControl: body forged brass, spring housing Zn/Al die-casting; nitrogen 0–100 and 0–200 bar: body pressed brass
Weight	1.4 to 4.2 kg depending on the version

Ventilek advises

Before you order a regulator, look at the valve of your cylinder: what gas it contains and what connection it has. That will lead you to the row in the table above – and to the right cylinder pressure regulator.

pressure gauges for oxygen, acetylene and argon: pressure gauges for industrial gases
high pressure from a network or bundle: HP regulators up to 414 bar
all high-pressure series: high-pressure regulators

Can I use an oxygen regulator for another gas as well?: No. Each regulator is designed only for the gas stated on its label and has a connection only for a cylinder containing this gas. Adapters and intermediate pieces are not used.
What is the difference between a 200 bar and a 300 bar regulator?: The 300 bar regulator has a different cylinder connection (W 30 × 2 according to DIN 477-5) and is designed for a higher cylinder pressure. It cannot be connected to a 200 bar cylinder.
Why do regulators for flammable gases have a left-hand thread?: The left-hand thread (LH) on the cylinder connection and on the outlet distinguishes flammable gases from oxygen and non-flammable gases – cylinder connections are specified by DIN 477-1 and DIN 477-5.
When do I need a flowmeter?: For gas-shielded welding or forming, you set the flow rate in litres per minute, not the pressure. A flowmeter shows the flow rate directly; the FDM ARGON version has a scale in l/min on the pressure gauge.
Where can I find the operating instructions?: The operating instructions of the manufacturer GCE open via the QR code on the regulator label. Read them before first use.

Technical data according to the manufacturer GCE (ProControl series) and the ISO 2503 standard. Cylinder connections according to DIN 477-1 and DIN 477-5.

You will find more high-pressure regulators in the category high-pressure regulators.