How Equilibar Vacuum Regulators Work | Equilibar Precision Control

Definition of Vacuum Regulator

What is a Vacuum Regulator?

A vacuum regulator is a device used to maintain a desired vacuum pressure in a system. There are multiple types of vacuum regulators, but mechanical vacuum regulators discussed here work on a force balance principle.

Two types of Vacuum Control

There two major types of vacuum control devices: vacuum regulators and vacuum breakers. This page seeks to explain the different purposes of each type, and how they work. To view a video discussing the difference, please follow this link. 

Type 1: Vacuum Regulators

Vacuum Regulators, like Equilibar Vacuum series (EVR), work by throttling flow between the vacuum pump and the process in order to control the process vacuum. This type, which is often referred to as a Vacuum Regulator, is actually a Back Pressure Regulator because the pressure controlled is at the inlet port. The regulator closes to increase absolute system pressure (or reduce vacuum level).

In the simplified example at right, the vacuum regulator uses a spring-loaded diaphragm to control the vacuum pressure. The process vacuum is on the lower side of the diaphragm and the atmospheric pressure is on the top. The spring is pulling up to provide the negative setpoint bias. As the process pressure becomes too low (vacuum too intense), the diaphragm lowers, restricting of the gas flow between the process and the vacuum supply pump, thereby reducing vacuum level. As the absolute pressure increases above setpoint (vacuum too low), the plunger rises and the gas flow between the process and the supply pump is increased, thereby increasing vacuum level.

Type 2: Vacuum Breakers & Vacuum Relief Regulators

Another type of vacuum controller let ambient air into the vacuum system to control the vacuum pressure. This type of regulator is often called a Vacuum Breaker or Vacuum Relief Regulator. These regulators are actually a type of Pressure Reducing Regulator because the pressure controlled is at the outlet port. The regulator opens to increase absolute process pressure (or reduce vacuum level).

Vacuum relief regulators typically use a spring loaded diaphragm with atmospheric pressure on the upper side and process vacuum pressure on the lower side. In this simplified example at right, the spring actually pulls the diaphragm up to provide the negative setpoint pressure. When the absolute process pressure becomes too low (vacuum too high), the plunger forces the valve seat down, allowing more outside air into the process. As the absolute process pressure increases, (vacuum pressure increases) towards setpoint, the plunger rises again to restrict the in-flow of air.

Some vacuum regulators are considered “relieving vacuum regulators”, which mean that they can allow gas into the process when the setpoint of the vacuum regulator is reduced (to increase absolute pressure). Others are considered “non-relieving vacuum regulators”, which means that gas flow must be provided from another source in order to lower the vacuum intensity in the process. Fortunately, most vacuum process have at least a small amount of in-leakage, alleviate the concern when using the non-relieving type. Some vacuum regulators provide relief by allowing a small but controlled amount of in-leakage into the inlet port.

Larger vacuum regulators are often referred to as Vacuum Control Valves. Equilibar sells vacuum control valves as large as 6″ in size.

Request A QuoteDownload Brochure


Equilibar Vacuum Regulator

Request a Quote Download Brochure

Vacuum Regulator
controls process pressure by throttling flow to the vacuum pump

Vacuum Breaker or Relief Regulator
controls process pressure by allowing bleed air into the entire pump system

Pros and Cons of Vacuum Control

Vacuum Breakers Vacuum Regulators
  • Are sometimes smaller than Vacuum Regulators because it typically takes less mass flow to reduce the system vacuum.
  • Typically cost less than vacuum regulators.
  • Useful in protecting certain types of vacuum pumps from exceeding their design vacuum level (i.e. some dry and liquid ring pumps)
  • Minimize the gas flow through system, which can be very advantageous where multiple process share a common vacuum utility.
  • Minimized gas flow is very desirable for pumps such as oil flooded or oil sealed pumps.
  • Minimized gas flow may, depending on the pump specifics, reduce electrical energy consumption Depending on design and sizing, can provide very precise control
  • For some types of vacuum pumps, the excessive gas flow caused by the vacuum breaker is not desirable or a waste of energy.
  • For multiple vacuum process sharing a common header, using a vacuum breaker can degrade the performance of the other processes. In some situations, the pressure variations between one vacuum process and another can lead to very poor process control.
  • In most situations, vacuum breakers do not provide precise control across a wide flow rate window
  • Must be sized large enough to pass the entire vacuum flow.
  • For pumps which require a minimum gas throughput (such as liquid ring or dry vane), Vacuum Regulators may need to be used in conjunction with a vacuum breaker supplied by the pump manufacturer.


How Equilibar Vacuum Regulators (EVRs) Work

The EVR is a unique type of 2-stage vacuum regulator. It utilizes Equilibar’s ultra sensitive dome-loaded back pressure regulator technology to provide unmatched pressure stability across widely varying flow rates. Starting at $600, the EVR offers a good option for complex vacuum applications where conventional lower-cost solutions have not worked.

Read on to learn more about our unique vacuum control technology. You may also visit our How EVRs Work web page for even more detailed information.

Stage 1: Small Setpoint Regulator

The first stage consists of a small sensitive vacuum regulator which generates a precise setpoint pressure that is equal to the desired process vacuum. This small regulator is energized by the vacuum supply provided to the outlet port of the larger regulator. This small regulator also allows a very small amount of air to be drawn into it to allow for reductions in vacuum setpoint.

Stage 2: Volume Boosting Regulator

The larger regulator uses Equilibar’s unique direct sealing diaphragm technology to closely match the process (inlet) pressure to the pressure provided on its dome (by the small regulator). This second stages serves as an ultra sensitive volume booster. It also provides chemical isolation between potentially aggressive process vapors and the smaller setpoint regulator.

This volume boosting stage is actually a dome-loaded back pressure regulator. The special diaphragm blocks the entrance to the process orifices, preventing the vacuum pump from drawing down the process below the setpoint pressure (on the dome). Once the process pressure increases above the setpoint pressure, gas lifts up the special diaphragm and flows to the regulator outlet.

For more details on the unique Equilibar dome-loaded back pressure regulator, see how our back pressure regulators work or BPR product details.

Using an Electronic Setpoint Regulator

For computer automation, it is easy to use an electronic vacuum regulator in place of the manual setpoint regulator.

Electronic vacuum regulators have two servo valves that quickly open and close to control vacuum measured by a small internal pressure transmitter. They work just like electronic pressure regulators, except that ambient air is used on the inlet valve, and a vacuum supply is connected to the outlet valve.

More information about electronic pressure regulators. More information about automated vacuum control.

Overall Performance

The combination of these two stages provides a very stable vacuum pressure even as gas flow rates and vacuum supply pressures vary.

It should be noted that this vacuum regulator is a non-relieving non-bleeding type, and is not capable of rapidly increasing the pressure on the inlet port. The regulator is intended for processes where at least a very small gas flow is present at all times. If your process is gas-tight, with periods of near zero flow, your application engineer can discuss with you easy methods of providing a small gas bleed at the inlet of the regulator.


EVR use a two-stage design, with a setpoint regulator on top, and a larger volume boosting stage below.

How Equilibar Vacuum Regulator Works

Equilibar Vacuum Regulator
A small vacuum regulator works to generate a setpoint signal for a larger vacuum regulator (used as a volume booster).


How Electronic Vacuum Control Works

Electronic Vacuum Control
A small electronic vacuum regulator works to supply the setpoint signal for the larger vacuum regulator.

Equilibar News

test unit for clean energy research

Clean energy research gains importance as new decade begins


Read More