8
Getting Started
Mounting
All pressure controllers have mounting holes under the base for convenient
attachment to flat panels. No straight runs of pipe are required upstream
or downstream. Standard controllers are position insensitive and can be
mounted in any orientation.
▲
Caution:
Pressure controllers that use large Rolamite valves (PCR,
PCR3, PCRS) should be mounted with their valve oriented vertically
(right-side up). If another orientation is desired, please contact Alicat.
Process Ports
Your pressure controller has been shipped with plastic plugs fitted into its
ports. To lessen the chance of contaminating the stream, do not remove
these plugs until you are ready to install the device.
Standard pressure controllers have female inlet and outlet ports. Welded
VCR® and other specialty fittings may have male connections.
•
For connections without face seal fittings, use thread-sealing
Teflon tape to prevent leakage, but
do not wrap the first two
threads
. This will help prevent tape getting into the stream.
•
No tape is needed for face seal fittings.
•
When changing fittings, carefully clean the port threads.
!
Warning:
Do not use pipe dopes or sealants on the process
connections, as these compounds can cause permanent
damage to the controller should they get into the stream.
Filters
We recommend in-line sintered filters to prevent large particulates from
entering the pressure controller, even though they may increase pressure
drop. Suggested maximum particulate sizes are as follows:
PC/PCP/PCH/PC3:
20 microns
PCR/PCR3:
40 microns
Operating Pressure
Controllable Pressure
Burst Pressure,
≤500 PSI devices
*
Burst Pressure,
>500 PSI devices
*
102.4% of full scale pressure
300% of full scale pressure
150% of full scale pressure
*
Exceeding burst pressure will permanently damage the internal pressure sensor.
Connecting Plumbing
Your pressure controller can regulate positive pressure and/or vacuum,
depending on configuration. Connect the controller so that flow travels
as indicated by the arrow, usually left to right, from the front of the device.
Maximum controllable pressure
is 102.4% of full scale pressure.
The burst pressure is 3× full scale
pressure on standard pressure
controllers, and 1.5× full scale
pressure for high-pressure
devices (> 500 PSI). Exceeding
the burst pressure of the device
will permanently damage the
internal pressure sensor.
