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Commercial Plumbing

Are all gas regulators the same?

What Gas regulators are and where you will find them being used

If you look around your home you will most likely find more than one gas appliance. Maybe you have gas cooking appliances, gas heating or a gas BBQ. If you are on a camping holiday, there’s every chance you have a gas cylinder for your portable gas stove.

Something you will have attached to these items are gas regulators. Another name for a gas regulator is a pressure regulator which gives us a better clue as to what they are.

Whether you are using a Natural Gas, LP Gas or a Propane Gas System there will be a gas regulator attached to control the pressure of the fluid or gas. This ensures a smooth delivery of fuel at the pressure and flow rate that the heater or appliance needs.

It’s important to note that one type does not fit all.

Are all gas regulators the same or do I need a different gas regulator for each application?

When you think about the gas appliance or heater you have, each item will be a different size, have a different application and a different required gas pressure. The purpose is still the same: to provide fuel for the particular device. Different types of gas setups will need different types of regulators.

You might be asking “Are all gas regulators the same for gas bottles?” When it comes to that gas bottle you are using, there are patio gas propane regulators which are clip on or screw fit, butane regulators (clip on), high-pressure regulators, and camping gas regulators. You can see that even for gas bottles, there are a variety of options.

Another variation depends on the application. A gas regulator can have a pressure setting, a restrictor and a sensor all in the one body, or consist of a separate pressure sensor, controller and flow valve. In some cases, you may need two regulators.

It is helpful to check the overview of the types of gas regulators.

An overview of the different types of gas regulators and what they are used for

Here is a handy list of some of the different types of regulators:

• Single Stage Cylinder Regulator for small outdoor cooking appliances such as gas grills or BBQs.
• Twin Stage Regulator recommended for applications that require a constant outlet pressure for the life of a gas cylinder. Using this will mean the pressure is regulated twice and allows a safer distribution of pressure. Never connect Twin stage regulators directly to an LPG cylinder.
• Automatic Change Over Regulator, also a twin stage regulator which automatically switches from one gas bottle to another, once the gas bottle is empty.
• First Stage Regulator for domestic and commercial applications. It regulates the pressure in two stages.
• Second Stage Regulator decreases the pressure that comes after the first stage regulator, to provide a safe gas pressure to the appliances.
• Over Pressure Shut Off Regulator (OPSO). Under Australian law, the OPSO has to be installed when you have an inlet pressure greater than 7kpa when reducing to 2.75kpa.
• Appliance Regulator required to be installed on all Natural gas appliances and depending on the manufacturer’s instructions may also be required to be used on LPG.

Just remember, when you’re asking are ‘all gas regulators the same?’ The answer is a definite, No.

Shop Online with Plumbing Sales today for your gas regulator for home, commercial or recreational use

Plumbing Sales has everything you need when it comes to gas regulators including single stage and dual stage regulators.

We’re proud to be Australia’s largest online plumbing supplies store, and we offer free shipping on orders of more than $300. 

Whether you need a gas regulator, gas hot water system or anything at all in the plumbing supply and accessories range, you know where to come.

You’re already here! The only name you need to remember is Plumbing Sales.

So you might be connecting a new grill, patio heater, or fire table - whatever the case may be and you're probably thinking, "What size should my gas hose and brass fittings be?" Well, you're in luck because here at Barbecues Galore, we pride ourselves on having expertise in the area of gas fitting because we get it... this type of stuff is confusing. Together, we can figure out what you need.

Let's start with the common problems with measuring your gas fittings.

Many people unknowingly buy the wrong size of fittings for their natural gas or propane hose because they don't know how to measure it; or more accurately, they don't know which part to measure. 

There are three commonplace measurements people take, but only one of them is right. First, there is the outside diameter (OD), the Nominal Pipe Size (NPS), and the inside diameter (ID) of the hose. 

 

The measurement you want that corresponds with the name of your gas hose is the inside diameter (you can remember this because ID in this case means "inside diameter", but in many other case means "identification"). For example, a 3/8" LP/NG Hose will have the inside diameter of 3/8". 

Now for the tricky part: How to measure a quick disconnect nipple and coupler

Your keen mind might have thought, "If the inside diameter is what we are measuring, how could the 3/8" quick disconnect have the same inside diameter of the 3/8" hose if one goes in the other?" Well my friend, it's because the world (of gas fitting) works in mysterious ways... but that's why we're here.

Fittings get their name based off of the hose they fit with. That being said, you're right - the inside diameters would not be the same. Thus, the inside diameter on the female end of the Quick Disconnect Nipple would have to be more closely similar to the outside diameter of the male end of your gas hose. For example:

Due to this, we advise you to make sure you know the proper measurement of your natural gas or propane hose first. With that, you'll be able to know the measurements of the Quick Disconnect Nipple and Coupler that you'll need. However, if it's the hose that you're looking for, you now know how to find which hose is needed and we've got them in 5', 10', 15', and 20' lengths. 

You can then get the correct parts you need from our site by clicking here. You can also visit or contact any one of our five stores across Canada. 

 To continue learning, watch these videos here: