Air pressure regulators – precision, high-pressure, remote-controlled

A pressure regulator reduces the pressure of compressed air from the air network or air receiver to the working pressure required by the machine, tool or measuring instrument. It keeps the set pressure constant even when the network pressure fluctuates and air consumption changes. Besides air, most regulators can also be used for neutral gases.

We offer 255 regulators in 16 series, most of them by the manufacturers EWO and KNOCKS FLUID-Technik, others by AirCom, Berluto, GCE, Wilkerson and EMC: manually adjusted for inlet pressures up to 414 bar, high-precision with an accuracy of 5 mbar, low-pressure regulators from 5 mbar, pilot-operated and remote-controlled for flow rates up to 50,000 l/min and proportional, controlled by an electrical signal. For most series you will also find spare parts.

Precision design

Pressure regulator series

Pressure regulators 280 and 406

Inlet up to 25 bar. EWO diaphragm regulators with pressure gauge for workshops, machines and air networks.

• control range 0.5–3 to 0.5–16 bar
• flow rate 2,175–5,330 l/min
• connection G 1/8" to G 1"

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DR pressure regulators

Inlet up to 25 bar. KNOCKS diaphragm regulators with pressure gauge, also for high flow rates and pipework up to G 1 1/2".

• control range 0.5–10 or 0.5–16 bar
• flow rate 1,750 to 16,500 l/min
• connection G 1/4" to G 1 1/2"

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Pressure regulators 286, 274 and 280

Inlet up to 40 bar. EWO brass diaphragm regulators with pressure gauge for high-pressure air networks and air receivers.

• control range 0.5–3 to 0.5–25 bar
• flow rate 468–12,160 l/min
• connection G 1/4" to G 1 1/2"

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DRP pressure regulators

Pilot-operated, inlet up to 40 bar. KNOCKS diaphragm regulators for high flow rates at constant pressure, with pressure gauge.

• flow rate 15,000 to 50,000 l/min
• control range 0.5–10 or 0.5–16 bar
• connection G 3/4" to G 2"

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Pressure regulators 302

Inlet up to 60 bar. EWO piston regulators with pressure gauge for high-pressure air networks, test rooms and process equipment.

• control range 0.5–12 to 3–50 bar
• flow rate 2,175–5,437 l/min
• connection G 1/4" to G 1"

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Pressure regulators 417

High flow rate. EWO regulators for entire air networks and production lines, with two pressure gauges – at the inlet and at the outlet.

• flow rate 25,000 l/min, inlet up to 40 bar
• control range 0.5–6 to 0.5–25 bar
• G 1 1/2" and G 2", also in a lockable version

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DRI pressure regulators

Remote control. The regulator sits directly in the pipework; you set the pressure with a small pilot regulator – for example next to the operator.

• flow rate 5,800 to 50,000 l/min
• inlet 16, 25 or 40 bar depending on the version
• connection G 1/2" to G 2"
• FDRI 03 precision version: 5 mbar, control from 0.05 bar

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DRF pressure regulators

Accuracy ±7.5 mbar. Precision regulators for low air consumption and pilot regulators for DRI.

• control range 0.1–1 to 0.5–16 bar
• inlet up to 16 bar, G 1/4"
• pressure gauge included, also with feedback

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FDR precision regulators

Accuracy down to 5 mbar. KNOCKS FDR and EMC EPR 3000 precision regulators for measuring machines, balancers and dosing.

• control range 0.05–2 to 0.05–10 bar
• flow rate 450–6,500 l/min
• connection G 1/4" to G 1/2"

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RPM low-pressure regulators

Low pressure from 5 mbar. AirCom regulators with a large diaphragm keep even a very low pressure constant; pressure gauge included.

• control range 5–45 to 50–1,500 mbar
• inlet 1–15 bar, flow rate 1,000–9,600 l/min
• connection G 1/2" and G 1"

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MANO R dial regulators

Pressure on a dial. Wilkerson regulators with an indicator of the set pressure and an OFF position, mainly for control panels.

• control range 0–11 bar, inlet up to 21 bar
• flow rate 3,000–24,000 l/min
• connection G 1/4" to G 2"

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High-pressure regulators

Up to 414 bar. Regulators 120 and HP for networks and cylinders, and cylinder pressure regulators for industrial gases.

• inlet 200, 300 and 414 bar
• oxygen, nitrogen, argon, acetylene, hydrogen and others
• cylinder regulators according to ISO 2503

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DRV pressure reducing valves

Water, air, gases. Gunmetal pressure reducing valves for industrial networks up to 40 bar.

• outlet 0.2 to 20 bar
• G 1/4" to G 2", pressure gauge included
• not for drinking water and steam

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Proportional regulators

Electrical signal. Outlet pressure proportional to a 0–10 V or 4–20 mA signal from a PLC or control system – AirCom DRPA, EMC ETV 3000 and DRPE series.

• control range 0–1 to 0–16 bar
• flow rate 210–1,400 l/min, G 1/8" to G 1/2"
• protection rating IP 65, M12 connector

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Parts and accessories

Spare parts and accessories. Diaphragms, valve cones, brackets, panel nuts, pressure gauges and part kits – 95 items in total.

• for regulators 280, 406, DR, 286, 274, DRP, 302, 417, DRI, DRF, FDR and RPM
• replace a worn diaphragm or valve cone and the regulator will keep on working
• each part lists the regulators it fits

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Every regulator needs a filter upstream – dirt from the pipework would damage the valve seat. Give the FDR, FDRI 03 and EPR 3000 precision regulators and the ETV 3000 and DRPE proportional regulators a fine filter (5 µm, 3 µm for DRPE) – the robust FDR 11 is the exception.

Compressed air filters

Selection guide: all series at a glance

The table summarises the main data of all 16 series. You will find all sizes, dimensions and detailed data on the page of each series.

Flow rates according to the manufacturers; measurement conditions differ. Regulators 280, 406, 286, 274 and 417 at an inlet pressure of 8 bar, an outlet pressure of 6 bar and a pressure drop of 1 bar, regulators 302 at an inlet pressure of 20 bar, an outlet pressure of 10 bar and a pressure drop of 4 bar, RPM low-pressure regulators at an inlet pressure of 6 bar, DRPA at an inlet pressure of 6 bar and an outlet pressure of 5 bar, EPR 3000 and ETV 3000 at an inlet pressure of 7 bar, an outlet pressure of 6 bar and a pressure drop of 1 bar. For EWO regulators, the manufacturer gives the inlet pressure influence instead of accuracy – the percentage of a change in network pressure that shows at the outlet.

For regulators, the "Pressure" filter means the highest line pressure the regulator can take at its inlet.

How to choose a regulator in three steps

1. Inlet pressure. The regulator must withstand the highest pressure that can occur in the air network or air receiver. Up to 25 bar, regulators 280 and 406 or DR are sufficient (the smallest DR 11 and DR 12 up to 16 bar); up to 40 bar, regulators 286, 274 and 280, the large 417, the pilot-operated DRP or the remote-controlled DRI; up to 60 bar, the piston-type 302; and up to 200 bar, 120. The precision regulators FDR and DRF withstand up to 16 bar (FDR 07 12 bar, EPR 3000 10 bar), the low-pressure regulators RPM 15 bar and the dial regulators MANO R 21 bar.
2. Flow rate. Add up the air consumption of the machines and tools downstream of the regulator and choose a regulator with some reserve – less air flows through at a lower network pressure. Standard manually adjusted regulators deliver up to 16,500 l/min (DR), the dial regulators MANO R up to 24,000 l/min, the large 417 25,000 l/min and the pilot-operated DRP and remote-controlled DRI up to 50,000 l/min.
3. Accuracy and adjustment. For tools, machines and air networks, a standard diaphragm regulator is sufficient. If even a small change in pressure is a problem, choose FDR (5 mbar) or DRF (±7.5 mbar). A very low pressure from 5 mbar is set by the low-pressure regulators RPM. If you want to see the set pressure right on the knob, for example on a control panel, choose the dial regulator MANO R. If the regulator is in an inaccessible place, choose DRI with a pilot regulator, or FDRI 03 for precise pressure. Pressure controlled from a PLC or control system is set by the proportional DRPA, ETV 3000 or DRPE.

Choose the control range so that its upper limit is above the pressure you want to set – but not unnecessarily high: the pressure can be set more finely in a smaller range. For 6 bar, a range up to 10 bar is suitable.

Examples

• Workshop: the air network has 10 bar, pneumatic tools need 6 bar and consume 1,200 l/min. A pressure regulator 280 of size BG 35 with the 0.5–10 bar range (2,175 l/min) is sufficient – with a G 1/4" connection, this is 280.323.
• Painting line: needs 6 bar and 12,000 l/min, the air network has 10 bar and the regulator is to be installed under the ceiling. A DRI regulator of size BG 5 (15,000 l/min) belongs in the pipework – with a G 1" connection, this is DRI55. You set the pressure at the line with the DRF pilot regulator DRF31-10GS (0.5–10 bar).
• Test room: test equipment needs 80 bar of nitrogen from a 200 bar network. The high-pressure regulator 120 120.421 with an outlet of 1–100 bar is suitable.
• Measurement: a measuring fixture needs a constant 3 bar and consumes no more than 500 l/min. An FDR precision regulator is worthwhile: FDR02-4 with the 0.05–4 bar range delivers 600 l/min (at an inlet pressure of 7 bar) and holds the pressure with an accuracy of 5 mbar.
• Low pressure: equipment needs a constant 300 mbar at a consumption of up to 600 l/min, the air network has 7 bar. An RPM low-pressure regulator with the 10–400 mbar range is sufficient – with a G 1/2" connection, this is RPM12-400 (1,000 l/min).
• Control panel: a machine needs 6 bar and consumes up to 2,000 l/min, the air network has 8 bar and the operator needs to see the set pressure on the panel. The MANO R dial regulator MANOR1411 with a G 1/4" connection (3,000 l/min) is suitable: the regulator sits behind the panel, the knob with the dial in front of it.
• PLC control: the control system changes the roller contact pressure between 1 and 5 bar during the cycle. The proportional DRPA regulator DRPA14-6 sets 0–6 bar according to a 0–10 V signal; the inlet pressure may be no more than 12 bar.

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Why regulate pressure

Unnecessarily high pressure in the air network is one of the most common causes of high compressed air costs. Tools and machines can usually withstand higher pressure, but they consume more air – and the compressor has to produce it. A correctly set regulator right at the point of use, for example at the pneumatic tools in a car workshop, supplies only the pressure that is really needed.

The compressor then does not have to switch on as often to top up the air in the air receiver. Frequent switching is harmful to piston compressors: the unit does not have time to cool down, the components are subjected to more stress and the service life of the compressor is shortened.

A regulator also protects people. A blow gun at full pressure blows chips and swarf a long way and can injure the operator and co-workers. A regulator that reduces the pressure, for example from 10 to 2 bar, significantly reduces this danger.

How a pressure regulator works

In most regulators, the set spring presses on the diaphragm, which opens the valve – air flows from the inlet to the outlet. The outlet pressure acts on the diaphragm against the spring. When it reaches the set value, the valve partially closes and only as much air flows through as is being consumed. Regulators with secondary venting can release excess pressure from the outlet by themselves.

• diaphragm regulators with manual adjustment – regulators 280, 406, DR, 286, 274 and 417, adjusted with a T-handle, a small handwheel or a large handwheel
• piston regulators for high pressure – the 302 regulators have a piston instead of a diaphragm
• high-pressure regulators without secondary venting – the 120 regulators are protected against overpressure by a relief valve
• pilot-operated regulators – with DRP regulators, you set the pressure with a small pilot regulator on the cover, which uses air pressure to control the large diaphragm of the main valve
• low-pressure regulators – RPM regulators have a large diaphragm, so they keep even a very low pressure from 5 mbar constant
• dial regulators – MANO R show the set pressure on a dial beneath the knob and shut off the air supply in the OFF position
• precision regulators – FDR with a pilot stage and DRF with a large diaphragm acting against a small valve seat; the robust FDR 11 has no pilot stage
• remote-controlled regulators – with DRI regulators and FDRI 03 precision regulators, the outlet pressure equals the pilot pressure from the pilot regulator
• proportional regulators – DRPA, ETV 3000 and DRPE have a pressure sensor at the outlet and set the pressure according to an electrical signal

Regulators can be combined into assemblies. A DRI regulator is paired with a DRF precision regulator as its pilot (ideally with feedback), or with a proportional DRPE if the pressure is to be set by the control system.

Installation and maintenance

• install a filter upstream of the regulator – dirt from the pipework would damage the valve seat
• FDR, FDRI 03 and EPR 3000 precision regulators and ETV 3000 and DRPE proportional regulators need finely filtered, oil-free air (5 µm filter, 3 µm for DRPE); the robust FDR 11 and the DRPA proportional regulators also tolerate lubricated air
• install the regulator so that the air flows in the direction of the arrow on the body
• set the pressure from below: reduce the setting to below the required value, then tighten it until the pressure gauge shows the required pressure
• fix the regulator to a wall or frame with a mounting bracket, or in a control panel with a panel nut
• the diaphragm and valve cone wear over time – replace them and the regulator will keep on working

Spare parts and accessories

In the category spare parts and accessories for pressure regulators you will find diaphragms, valve cones, mounting brackets, panel nuts, replacement pressure gauges and spare part kits for regulators 280, 406, DR, 286, 274, DRP, 302, 417, DRI, DRF, FDR and RPM, as well as software for setting up DRPA proportional regulators – 95 items in total. Each part lists the regulators it fits.

What is the difference between a pressure regulator and a pressure reducing valve?

There is none – it is the same device. A pressure regulator (pressure reducing valve) reduces the network pressure to the set value and keeps it constant even when the network pressure fluctuates and air consumption changes.

What if I have more than 25 bar in the air network?

Regulators 280 and 406 and DR regulators withstand 25 bar. For higher pressure, there are regulators 286, 274 and 280 and DRP pilot-operated regulators up to 40 bar, piston regulators 302 up to 60 bar and high-pressure regulators 120 up to 200 bar.

Is the pressure gauge included?

Yes, with regulators 280, 406, DR, 286, 274, DRP, 302, DRF and RPM. Regulators 417 and 120 have two pressure gauges – at the inlet and at the outlet – and the pilot-operated DRP in size BG 8 also have an inlet pressure gauge. MANO R dial regulators do not need a pressure gauge – the set pressure is shown on the dial beneath the knob. With regulators DRI, FDRI, FDR, EPR 3000, DRPA, ETV 3000 and DRPE, no pressure gauge is included: most of them have a gauge connection, ETV 3000 also shows the actual pressure on its display and DRPE reports it via a 0–10 V output signal.

Why does the regulator hiss briefly after the pressure is reduced?

That is secondary venting: the regulator releases the excess air from the outlet and the pressure drops immediately, not only once air is consumed. All series have it except regulators 120, which are protected against overpressure by a relief valve, and the low-pressure regulators RPM, where the outlet pressure only drops as air is consumed.

Can I use the regulator for nitrogen or another gas?

Most regulators are designed for compressed air and neutral gases; the 120 series explicitly also for nitrogen. MANO R dial regulators are for compressed air only. For any other gas, please ask us before ordering.

Do precision regulators need particularly clean air?

Most do – FDR, FDRI 03, EPR 3000, ETV 3000 and DRPE need finely filtered, oil-free air (5 µm filter, 3 µm for DRPE). The robust FDR 11 and the DRPA proportional regulators also tolerate lubricated air (DRPA with 50 µm filtration), and normally filtered air is sufficient for DRF regulators. However, a filter upstream of the regulator is always needed.

I need a very low pressure, such as a few tens of millibars. Which regulator should I choose?

RPM low-pressure regulators set the outlet from 5 to 1,500 mbar from an inlet of 1 to 15 bar, and a pressure gauge with a scale to match the range is included. FDR precision regulators also control from 0.05 bar.

I am not sure which one to choose. Can you advise me?

Yes, write to us or give us a call. All we need to know is the network pressure, the pressure you need to set, the air consumption and the connection – we will recommend a suitable series and size.

I need a higher pressure than my line pressure. Will a regulator help?

A regulator can only reduce pressure. To raise the pressure for a single machine, use pressure boosters – they increase the line pressure 2× to 4×, up to 20 bar.

Technical data according to the manufacturers EWO (regulators 280, 406, 286, 274, 302, 417 and 120), KNOCKS FLUID-Technik (DR, DRP, DRI, FDRI, DRF and FDR), AirCom (RPM and DRPA), Wilkerson (MANO R) and EMC (EPR 3000 and ETV 3000); for the DRPE series according to current technical documentation (2026). You will find all sizes and measurement conditions on the pages of the individual series.