What is the primary function of a pressure regulator in a compressed air system?

The primary function of a pressure regulator in a compressed air system is to deliver constant and reduced pressure to components. Pressure regulators are designed to maintain a stable output pressure regardless of fluctuations in the input pressure or changes in the demand from the system. They achieve this by adjusting the flow of air, ensuring that downstream equipment receives a consistent pressure that is safe and effective for their operation. This is crucial since variations in pressure can lead to inefficiencies and potential damage to tools and machinery connected to the compressed air system.

In contrast, increasing pressure to dangerous levels can lead to catastrophic failures and is not the purpose of a regulator. Measuring pressure is typically the function of pressure gauges, not regulators, which do not inherently provide measurements. Additionally, while filtering impurities from the air is an important function in a compressed air system, this is carried out by air filters, not pressure regulators. Thus, the role of the pressure regulator is specifically focused on managing and stabilizing pressure for safe and effective operation of air-powered equipment.