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Fast Pressure Controllers & Transducers

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PCD–Dual Valve Absolute and Gauge Pressure Controllers

Fast-responding pressure or vacuum control for closed volumes

Control the absolute pressure (referenced to vacuum) or gauge pressure (referenced to local barometric pressure) of gases or liquids in your process. Alicat’s PCD series dual-valve pressure controllers use two proportional valves to precisely control the pressure of gases within closed or dead-ended volumes. They achieve new setpoints rapidly and stay put, even in the face of uneven feed pressure or changing temperatures. We’ll use your application parameters to customize your valve and PID tuning to ensure that your controller delivers fast and stable control.

  • Fast & Accurate. Very fast valves and PID control algorithms hit pressure setpoints in milliseconds with NIST-traceable accuracy.
  • Connected. Easy integration into your digital industrial network with Ethernet/IP, EtherCAT, DeviceNet, Profibus, Modbus (RTU and TCP/IP) or serial communications options.
  • Efficient. The dual-valve design incorporates a second proportional valve to exhaust excess pressure, but only when needed to maintain your setpoint. This eliminates the need to continuously bleed costly gas.
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Available Ranges (see Part Numbers tab for stock ranges)

  • Absolute pressure ranges (referenced to vacuum)
    • PCD: max 0-3000 psia, min 0-10 torr
    • PCDS: max 0-3000 psia, min 0-30 psia
  • Gauge pressure ranges (referenced to atmosphere)
    • PCD: max 0*-3000 psig, min 0*-2 inH2Og
    • PCDS: max 0*-3000 psig, min 0*-5 psig
    • *Negative gauge pressure readings (to -15 psig) can also be included in gauge ranges.

Performance

  • Turndown ratio: 200:1
  • Standard accuracy calibration, NIST-traceable: +/- 0.25% of the full-scale range
  • Optional high-accuracy calibration, NIST-traceable: +/- 0.125% of the full-scale range
  • Repeatability: 0.08% of the full-scale range
  • Typical control response time constant: 50-100 ms (as low as 25 ms with PID tuning, dependent upon line sizing and the volumes and pressures involved)
  • No warm-up time required

Operating Conditions

  • Compatible gas media: all non-corrosive gases (PCD/PCDS). Liquids and corrosive gases require an S-series device (PCDS).
  • Operating temperature: -10°C to +60°C
  • Burst pressure: 3x the full-scale range

In the Box

Accessories (sold separately)

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Model Variations 

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

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

See all options

Alicat’s PCD series uses small proportional valves for control at lower flow rates and is suitable for use with non-corrosive gases.

Absolute Pressure:

PCD-10TORRA-D (IVC for vacuum)
PCD-100TORRA-D (IVC for vacuum)
PCD-15PSIA-D
PCD-30PSIA-D
PCD-100PSIA-D
PCD-500PSIA-D
PCD-1000PSIA-D
PCD-1500PSIA-D
PCD-2000PSIA-D
PCD-3000PSIA-D

Gauge Pressure:

PCD-2INH2OG-D
PCDAS-1PSIG-D
PCD-1PSIG-D
PCD-5PSIG-D
PCD-15PSIG-D
PCD-30PSIG-D
PCD-100PSIG-D
PCD-500PSIG-D
PCD-1000PSIG-D
PCD-1500PSIG-D
PCD-2000PSIG-D
PCD-3000PSIG-D

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Alicat’s PCDP series offers the largest orifice in a small valve format and is suitable for use with non-corrosive gases.

Absolute Pressure:

PCDP-15PSIA-D
PCDP-30PSIA-D
PCDP-100PSIA-D

Gauge Pressure:

PCDP-2INH2OG-D
PCDPAS-1PSIG-D
PCDP-1PSIG-D
PCDP-5PSIG-D
PCDP-15PSIG-D
PCDP-30PSIG-D
PCDP-100PSIG-D

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Alicat’s PCDH series pairs two small valves working side-by-side as one and is suitable for use with non-corrosive gases.

Absolute Pressure:

PCDH-15PSIA-D
PCDH-30PSIA-D
PCDH-100PSIA-D
PCDH-500PSIA-D

Gauge Pressure:

PCDH-2INH2OG-D
PCDHAS-1PSIG-D
PCDH-1PSIG-D
PCDH-5PSIG-D
PCDH-15PSIG-D
PCDH-30PSIG-D
PCDH-100PSIG-D
PCDH-500PSIG-D

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Alicat’s PCRD series uses nearly frictionless Rolamite valves and a variety of orifice patterns for control at high flow rates and is suitable for use with non-corrosive gases.

Absolute Pressure:

PCRD-10TORRA-D (IVC for vacuum)
PCRD-100TORRA-D (IVC for vacuum)
PCRD-15PSIA-D
PCRD-30PSIA-D
PCRD-100PSIA-D
PCRD-500PSIA-D

Gauge Pressure:

PCRD-2INH2OG-D
PCRDAS-1PSIG-D
PCRD-1PSIG-D
PCRD-5PSIG-D
PCRD-15PSIG-D
PCRD-30PSIG-D
PCRD-100PSIG-D
PCRD-500PSIG-D

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Alicat’s PCDS series uses small proportional valves for control at lower flow rates and is suitable for use with liquids and corrosive gases.

Absolute Pressure:

PCDS-30PSIA-D
PCDS-100PSIA-D
PCDS-500PSIA-D
PCDS-1000PSIA-D
PCDS-1500PSIA-D
PCDS-2000PSIA-D
PCDS-3000PSIA-D

Gauge Pressure:

PCDS-5PSIG-D
PCDS-15PSIG-D
PCDS-30PSIG-D
PCDS-100PSIG-D
PCDS-500PSIG-D
PCDS-1000PSIG-D
PCDS-1500PSIG-D
PCDS-2000PSIG-D
PCDS-3000PSIG-D

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Alicat’s PCDHS series is suitable for use with liquids and corrosive gases and pairs two valves working side-by-side as one to provide greater control at higher pressures.

Absolute Pressure:

PCDHS-30PSIA-D
PCDHS-100PSIA-D
PCDHS-500PSIA-D

Gauge Pressure:

PCDHS-5PSIG-D
PCDHS-15PSIG-D
PCDHS-30PSIG-D
PCDHS-100PSIG-D
PCDHS-500PSIG-D

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Alicat’s PCRDS series is suitable for use with liquids and corrosive gases and uses nearly frictionless Rolamite valves and a variety of orifice patterns for control at high flow rates.

Absolute Pressure:

PCRDS -30PSIA-D
PCRDS -100PSIA-D
PCRDS -500PSIA-D

Gauge Pressure:

PCRDS -5PSIG-D
PCRDS -15PSIG-D
PCRDS -30PSIG-D
PCRDS -100PSIG-D
PCRDS -500PSIG-D

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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.

See the full app note here.

 

Alicat PCD dual-valve pressure controller
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BrochureManualPCD SpecsPCDS Specs
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