In what sequence should a regulator be installed?

by charles
(Boston, MA)

I have both a regulator and a combo water trap/debris filter (Milton). My thought is to install the filter first, then a few inches downstream install the regulator; the idea being to protect the regulator from water and debris having to pass through it. Is my idea a good one?

Comments for In what sequence should a regulator be installed?

Click here to add your own comments

Sep 11, 2018
 Regulator order
by: Bill

Indeed, you are correct.

If using an FRL, for example, the sequence of letters indicate the air flow...

-first the Filter
-then the Regulator
-then the Lubricator (if the circuit has one)

And one more tip, you don't have to limit yourself to either one filter or regulator in an air line.

You can add a filter at the tool end of a long line to "catch" water that's condensed in the line, and a regulator there can control the pressure to the one air tool, when you have more than one item in the circuit.

Click here to add your own comments

Add your own question or comment. It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Compressed Air Regulator Questions.