| Gas regulators are used in welding, torch cutting and | | | | pressure needs to be maintained at all times. |
| laboratory applications. A regulator is attached to a | | | | Applications would be lab, gas chromatography or |
| high pressure gas cylinder to step down the pressure. | | | | precision welding. The gas is regulated in two steps for |
| This is the safest way to reduce gas pressure. Gas | | | | greater delivery accuracy. The first stage is preset |
| cylinders usually have 2,000 PSI in them and you must | | | | and the second stage is fully adjustable to the |
| step them down to 20-100 PSI for use with a cutting | | | | regulator delivery range. |
| torch. I have been asked many times in the past what | | | | Gauges: Most regulators are supplied with two gauges. |
| the difference is between single and two stage | | | | The number of gauges does not determine if it is a |
| regulators. I have found that most people think a two | | | | single or two stage regulator. The gauges are used to |
| stage regulator has two gauges and they leave it at | | | | determine amount of gas remaining in the cylinder and |
| that. But that is simply incorrect. Nearly all regulators | | | | outlet delivery pressure. The high pressure gauge |
| have 2 gauges. Here are some of the differences | | | | located next to the inlet port is used to determine |
| below between a single and two stage regulator. | | | | amount of gas remaining in cylinder. The low pressure |
| Single stage regulators are the most popular and the | | | | gauge next to the delivery port is the delivery pressure |
| least expensive. Single stage regulators reduce the | | | | gauge. |
| cylinder pressure to the outlet pressure in one step. | | | | Expense: Single stage cost approximately $60-$90 |
| Two stage regulators reduce the cylinder pressure in | | | | while two stage start at $140-$300. A two stage |
| two steps. | | | | regulator costs at least twice as much as a single |
| The single stage regulators are used in most general | | | | stage regulator. |
| welding / cutting applications. These applications do not | | | | Here are the main differences between single and two |
| require an exact outlet delivery pressure throughout | | | | stage regulators. A two stage regulator may not be |
| the cycle of the cylinder from full to empty. As the | | | | needed for most home hobbyist applications. So save |
| cylinder decreases in pressure the delivery outlet | | | | your money! Now you have some information to help |
| pressure will increase. | | | | you purchase the correct regulator. |
| A two stage regulator is used when an outlet delivery | | | | |