Cartridge Direct-Acting Pressure Reducing / Relieving Valves

Compact Secondary Circuit Regulation

Cartridge direct-acting pressure reducing / relieving valves are designed to act as pressure-regulating devices for secondary circuits within hydraulic systems. Installed directly into a manifold or block, these valves provide reliable, compact, and efficient control of pressure, ensuring that downstream actuators operate safely and consistently under varying load conditions.

At Hydraulics Online, we supply cartridge pressure reducing / relieving valves from a wide range of global manufacturers – including Hydraforce, Atlantic Fluid Tech, and many others – with expert advice to help you select the right valve for your application.

Our website shows only a selection of what we supply. For impartial advice and access to our full range of hydraulic components, contact our expert team.

Cartridge Direct-Acting Pressure Reducing : Relieving Valves. For impartial advice and access to our full range of hydraulic components, contact our expert team.

These valves combine two essential functions:

Pressure reducing – lowering pressure in a secondary circuit to a safe, controlled level.
Pressure relieving – venting excess pressure when it exceeds the set limit, protecting actuators and components.

Being direct-acting, they respond immediately to pressure changes without requiring pilot operation, making them ideal for compact circuits where fast response is critical.

Key Benefits of Cartridge Direct-Acting Pressure Reducing / Relieving Valves:

Compact cartridge design – integrates easily into hydraulic manifolds and blocks.
Fast response – direct-acting mechanism reacts quickly to pressure changes.
Dual functionality – reduces and relieves pressure in secondary circuits.
Energy efficiency – prevents wasted energy by maintaining optimal pressure levels.
Reliable protection – safeguards actuators and sensitive components from overload.

These valves are widely used in:

Mobile machinery (construction, agriculture, forestry)
Industrial automation and process control
Marine and offshore hydraulic systems
Energy and utility installations
Material handling and lifting equipment

They are particularly valuable in systems requiring compact, manifold-mounted solutions for secondary circuit regulation.

How do direct-acting valves differ from pilot-operated valves? Direct-acting valves respond immediately to pressure changes, while pilot-operated valves provide more stable control in high-pressure systems.

Can these valves be integrated into manifolds? Yes – their cartridge design makes them ideal for manifold installation, reducing external piping.

Do they provide both reducing and relieving functions? Absolutely – they regulate secondary circuit pressure and relieve excess pressure when needed.