Pressure Controllers & Transducers

Available device ranges for absolute/gauge PC-Series

Alicat offers gauge pressure controllers with custom pressure ranges from 2 inH₂O full scale to 3000 PSIG full scale, and absolute pressure controllers with custom pressure ranges from 15 PSIA full scale to 3000 PSIA full scale. Most devices have a pressure control range of 0.01% to 100% of full scale. Custom devices are ranged to best meet your specific application needs for full scale pressure and operating range.

It is important to note that some device specifications vary depending on the full scale pressure.

• For specs on all device ranges, see the PC-Series device specs.

If you have any questions or need additional information, reach out to our applications engineers.

Device customization | Build and performance options

• Communications protocols: analog, RS–232, RS–485, DeviceNet, EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP, Modbus RTU or TCP/IP, PROFIBUS
• Displays: monochrome or color; integrated or panel–mount
• Process connections: NPT, SAE, AN, BSPP/G, welded compression, or VCR/VCO fittings
• Elastomers: Viton, FFKM, EPDM, Silicone
• Calibration: High-accuracy or custom
• Performance: Integrated potentiometer control

Valve sizing and PID tuning | Valve options

Your pressure controller may be customized with one of the following valving options to ensure optimal performance under your expected process conditions.

• PC: small proportional control valve for flow ranges of 20 SLPM and below
• PC with PCA designation: high-performance proportional control valve used for applications with higher pressures
• PCP: small proportional control valve with the largest orifice (not available for corrosive configurations)
• PCH: hammerhead configuration, which pairs two small valves working side-by-side as one valve
• PCR: nearly frictionless large Rolamite proportional valve for flow rates of 50 SLPM and above

Accessories | Sold separately

• Process port fittings and filters
• Power supplies
• Communications cables and conversion cables
• BB3 and BB9 multi-drop breakout boxes

Vacuum Coating | Using pressure control for vacuum coating

Use your favorite vacuum gauge with Alicat’s PC-EXTSEN pressure controller to maintain the ideal absolute pressure for vacuum deposition. The PC-EXTSEN stabilizes the overall chamber pressure as mass flow controllers introduce reactive gases into the vacuum coating chamber.

Available device ranges for absolute/gauge PCS-Series

Alicat offers anti-corrosive gauge pressure controllers with custom pressure ranges from 5 PSIG full scale to 3000 PSIG full scale, and anti-corrosive absolute pressure controllers with custom pressure ranges from 15 PSIA full scale to 3000 PSIA full scale. Most devices have a pressure control range of 0.5% to 100% of full scale. Custom devices are ranged to best meet your specific application needs for full scale pressure and operating range.

It is important to note that some device specifications vary depending on the full scale pressure.

• For specs on all device ranges, see the PCS-Series device specs.

If you have any questions or need additional information, reach out to our applications engineers.

Device customization | Build and performance options

• Communications protocols: analog, RS–232, RS–485, DeviceNet, EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP, Modbus RTU or TCP/IP, PROFIBUS
• Displays: monochrome or color; integrated or panel–mount

Valve sizing and PID tuning | Valve options

Your pressure controller may be customized with one of the following valving options to ensure optimal performance under your expected process conditions.

• PC: small proportional control valve for flow ranges of 20 SLPM and below
• PC with PCA designation: high-performance proportional control valve used for applications with higher pressures
• PCH: hammerhead configuration, which pairs two small valves working side-by-side as one valve
• PCR: nearly frictionless large Rolamite proportional valve for flow rates of 50 SLPM and above

Note: Certain gases (including HCl, SO₂, and Cl₂) require PC with PCA designation.

Accessories | Sold separately

• Process port fittings and filters
• Power supplies
• Communications cables and conversion cables
• BB3 and BB9 multi-drop breakout boxes

Model Variations 

• Aggressive gases (PCDS, see below)

Also available:

• Single valve configuration for flowing processes (PC)

Valve Options 

Your pressure controller may be customized with one of the following valving options to ensure optimal performance under your expected process conditions.

• PCD – small proportional control valves for flow ranges of 20 slpm and below
• PCD with PCA designation – high-performance proportional control valves used for applications with higher pressures
• PCDP – small proportional control valves with the largest orifice (not available for corrosive configurations)
• PCDH – hammerhead configuration, which pairs two small valves working side-by-side as one valve at each of the two valve positions
• PCRD – nearly frictionless large Rolamite proportional valves for flow rates of 50 slpm and above

Liquids and Corrosive Gases (PCDS-Series)

Instruments in the standard PCD-Series are also available with an optional “S” configuration (PCDS) for use with liquids and corrosive gases. In this configuration, we upgrade the valves to 303 stainless steel, the sensor to 316L stainless steel and the elastomers to FFKM. Some corrosive gases require 316L stainless steel throughout the flow path, and in this case we can upgrade both the valves (type PCA) and flow body to 316L for full-scale flow ranges of 20 slpm or less.

Build Options

• Communications protocols (analog, RS-232, RS-485, DeviceNet, EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP, Modbus RTU or TCP/IP, PROFIBUS)
• Displays (monochrome or color, integrated or panel-mount)
• Process connections (NPT, SAE, AN, BSPP/G, welded compression or VCR/VCO fittings)
• Elastomers (Viton, FFKM, EPDM, Silicone)

Performance Options

• Integrated potentiometer control
• High-accuracy or custom calibration

Valve Characterization in Martian Environments

To characterize a valve’s flow vs pressure curve as it would be used on Mars, Alicat’s dual-valve differential pressure controller can cycle through several pressure differentials that are all referenced to the simulated Martian atmosphere instead of Earth’s own atmospheric pressure. Plumb the downstream differential pressure port to the closed atmospheric chamber and the upstream one to the line that supplies pressure against the valve.

Model Variations 

• External pressure sensor configuration (PCD-EXTSEN)
• Remote pressure sense port (PCD3)
• Aggressive gases (PCDS)

Also available:

• Single valve configuration for closed volumes (PC)

External Pressure Sensor Configuration (PCD-EXTSEN)

If you would to like to use your own vacuum or pressure sensor, the PCD-EXTSEN pressure controller is built without an internal pressure sensor. Instead, it connects electronically to a customer-supplied external pressure or vacuum transducer via the dedicated industrial sensor connector (ISC) located on top of the pressure controller. This configuration is especially useful for vacuum coating processes.

Valve Options 

Your pressure controller may be customized with one of the following valving options to ensure optimal performance under your expected process conditions.

• PCD – small proportional control valves for flow ranges of 20 slpm and below
• PCD with PCA designation – high-performance proportional control valves used for applications with higher pressures
• PCDP – small proportional control valves with the largest orifice (not available for corrosive configurations)
• PCDH – hammerhead configuration, which pairs two small valves working side-by-side as one valve at each of the two valve positions
• PCRD – nearly frictionless large Rolamite proportional valves for flow rates of 50 slpm and above

Liquids and Corrosive Gases (PCDS-Series)

Instruments in the standard PCD-Series are also available with an optional “S” configuration (PCDS) for use with liquids and corrosive gases. In this configuration, we upgrade the valves to 303 stainless steel, the sensor to 316L stainless steel and the elastomers to FFKM. Some corrosive gases require 316L stainless steel throughout the flow path, and in this case we can upgrade both the valves (type PCA) and flow body to 316L for full-scale flow ranges of 20 SLPM or less.

Build Options

• Communications protocols (analog, RS-232, RS-485, DeviceNet, EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP, Modbus RTU or TCP/IP, PROFIBUS)
• Displays (monochrome or color, integrated or panel-mount)
• Process connections (NPT, SAE, AN, BSPP/G, welded compression or VCR/VCO fittings)
• Elastomers (Viton, FFKM, EPDM, Silicone)

Performance Options

• Integrated potentiometer control
• High-accuracy or custom calibration

Fluid Dispensing Using Pressure Control

Establish precise control of fluid dispensing by controlling the pressure in the head space above the liquid. The dual-valve pressure controller maintains a constant pressure in the head space with minimal outgassing of excess gases.

Model Variations 

• Backpressure configuration (with downstream valve, DS)
• Aggressive gases (PC3S, see below)
• Dual valve configuration for closed volumes (PCD3)

Also available:

• Integrated pressure sensor (PC)

Valve Options 

Your pressure controller may be customized with one of the following valving options to ensure optimal performance under your expected process conditions.

• PC3 – small proportional control valve for flow ranges of 20 slpm and below
• PC3 with PCA designation – high-performance proportional control valve used for applications with higher pressures
• PCP3 – small proportional control valve with the largest orifice (not available for corrosive configurations)
• PCH3 – hammerhead configuration, which pairs two small valves working side-by-side as one valve
• PCR3 – nearly frictionless large Rolamite proportional valve for flow rates of 50 slpm and above

Liquids and Corrosive Gases (PC3S series)

Instruments in the standard PC3 series are also available with an optional “S” configuration (PC3S) for use with liquids and corrosive gases. In this configuration, we upgrade the valve to 303 stainless steel, the sensor to 316L stainless steel and the elastomers to FFKM. Some corrosive gases require 316L stainless steel throughout the flow path, and in this case we can upgrade both the valve (type PCA) and flow body to 316L for full-scale flow ranges of 20 slpm or less.

Build Options

• Communications protocols (analog, RS-232, RS-485, DeviceNet, EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP, Modbus RTU or TCP/IP, PROFIBUS)
• Displays (monochrome or color, integrated or panel-mount)
• Process connections (NPT, SAE, AN, BSPP/G, welded compression or VCR/VCO fittings)
• Elastomers (Viton, FFKM, EPDM, Silicone)

Performance Options

• Integrated potentiometer control
• High-accuracy or custom calibration

Faster Leak Testing

Establish stable pressure for the leak check by measuring pressure precisely at the device under test with Alicat’s PC3-series pressure controller with remote sense port. This method negates the pressure drop induced by the mass flow meter that is measuring the leak rate with 5-ms speed of response.

Model Variations 

• Aggressive gases (PCD3S, see below)

Also available:

• Integrated pressure sensor (PCD)
• Single valve configuration for flowing processes (PC3)

Valve Options 

Your pressure controller may be customized with one of the following valving options to ensure optimal performance under your expected process conditions.

• PCD3 – small proportional control valves for flow ranges of 20 slpm and below
• PCD3 with PCA designation – high-performance proportional control valves used for applications with higher pressures
• PCDP3 – small proportional control valves with the largest orifice (not available for corrosive configurations)
• PCDH3 – hammerhead configuration, which pairs two small valves working side-by-side as one valve at each of the two valve positions
• PCRD3 – nearly frictionless large Rolamite proportional valves for flow rates of 50 slpm and above

Liquids and Corrosive Gases (PCD3S-Series)

Instruments in the standard PCD3 series are also available with an optional “S” configuration (PCD3S) for use with liquids and corrosive gases. In this configuration, we upgrade the valves to 303 stainless steel, the sensor to 316L stainless steel and the elastomers to FFKM. Some corrosive gases require 316L stainless steel throughout the flow path, and in this case we can upgrade both the valves (type PCA) and flow body to 316L for full-scale flow ranges of 20 SLPM or less.

Build Options

• Communications protocols (analog, RS-232, RS-485, DeviceNet, EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP, Modbus RTU or TCP/IP, PROFIBUS)
• Displays (monochrome or color, integrated or panel-mount)
• Process connections (NPT, SAE, AN, BSPP/G, welded compression or VCR/VCO fittings)
• Elastomers (Viton, FFKM, EPDM, Silicone)

Performance Options

• Integrated potentiometer control
• High-accuracy or custom calibration

Electronic Pressure Control with Remote Sensing

When flow rates entering or leaving a closed volume are high, flow-induced pressure drop can cause inaccurate pressure measurements. The PCD3’s remote sense port accurately monitors the pressure in the closed volume, no matter the flow rate.

Build options

• Analog signals: 0–5v, 1–5v, 0–10v, 4–20mA
• Digital communications protocols: RS–232, RS–485, Modbus–RTU
• Process connections: NPT, SAE, BSPP

Split flow gas chromatographs

Alicat’s EPC maintains stable carrier gas flow rates at the sample injector within a gas chromatograph. A second backpressure EPC on the split flow vent ensures sufficient column head pressure. Small size, fast response and dual analog/digital communications make the EPC easy to build into OEM products.

Build options

• Analog signals: 0–5v, 1–5v, 0–10v, 4–20mA
• Digital communications protocols: RS–232, RS–485, Modbus–RTU
• Process connections: NPT, SAE, BSPP

Fluidic dispensing for flow cytometry

Dual–valve EPCDs control the head space pressures to propel the sheath fluid and the cellular sample through the flow cytometer’s laser. High EPCD accuracy and wide usable ranges make possible the dispensing of precise amounts of fluid.