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PRESSURE REDUCING
VALVES

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to

explain how a pressure valve works.

And list common uses of pressure reducing

valves.

What is It?

A pressure reducing valve lowers the

downstream pressure.

It is often used to limit pressure in pilot operated,

directional control valves. The pilot pressure that
is required for these valves is usually well below
the maximum system pressure.

A pressure reducing valve may also be used to

limit cylinder force or limit brake application or
release pressure in some mobile machines. These
lower pressures help prolong component life. It is
desirable overall, to operate sub-circuits and
actuators at the lowest pressure that still allows
the work to get done.

2020 psi
Pressure
2000 psi Reducing
300 psi
Valve

Relief
Valve

Color Key

Schematic Symbols
Here are a few examples of simple schematic
symbols for a pressure reducing valve. Notice
that in all cases, the main poppet arrow indicates
that the valve is normally open.

P A

P A

P A

Here's a side-by-side view of a more detailed

pilot operated pressure reducing valve symbol
and cross-section. Hover your mouse over the
drawing below to highlight the corresponding
parts.

Detailed Schematic (left) and Cross Section

(right) of Pilot Operated Reducing Valve.

How it Works
The pressure reducing valve is piloted by the
pressure on the downstream side of the valve.
Therefore it watches and adjusts its output
pressure.

An accurate and responsive valve will have an

internal pilot section. The pilot will have a smaller
hose that drains the outgoing pilot flow back to
tank.

When pressure attempts to rise on the

downstream side of the valve, the flow through
the spring loaded poppet increases and the
pressure imbalance becomes greater. This causes
the main spool to move against the spring until
equilibrium is reached.

As the spool moves, it closes down its outlet

slightly, thereby reducing pressure.

Simplified Schematic Symbol 2000 lbs

Reducer Setting:
500 psi
P A

231 psi

1656 psi
Detailed Schematic Symbol

10 in²

200 psi
T

From Pump
P A

Units
US Metric Bar

Color Key

Pressure reducing valves are mainly used for

limiting the maximum force on cylinders and pilot
valves. The spool opens and closes in response
to pressure changes to keep pressure
consistently reduced.

Even though the symbol shows that it is normally

open, pressure reducing valves spend most of
the time closed. If they spent most of the time
open, the inlet pressure would go right through
to the outlet which is undesirable!

Reducer Setting:
500 psi

500 psi

T 2000 psi

P A

500 psi

From Pump
10 in²

Units
US Metric Bar

Remember that in order to reduce pressure on

fluid as it is flowing you must introduce a
restriction.

A pressure reducing valve basically regulates the

pressure by adjusting the size of a restriction.

Review

A pressure reducing valve is used to

create a zone of lower maximum
pressure within a larger hydraulic
system.

True False

Correct

Recap

Pressure reducing valves work by controlling a

restriction, which reduces downstream
pressure.
Pressure reducing valves are used to limit the
pressure used for the pilot function in pilot
operated directional valves.

W E H O P E YO U E N J OY E D
P R E S S U R E R E D U C I N G VA LV E S

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