Tools for Adjusting Oxygen Regulators

Oxygen regulators are the devices that reduce the pressure of oxygen delivered from a tank to a user such as a patient or scuba diver. Regulators are available in a variety of designs but generally consist of a first stage (which attaches to the tank) attached to a second stage (demand valve), which is the part the user breathes from. Oxygen aids combustion so oxygen regulators and the tools for adjusting them must be clean to ensure no problems with fire and explosion. The correct tool must be used for certain fittings.

  1. Allen Wrenches

    • Allen wrenches are toolS consisting of an L-shaped bar with a hexagonal head, used to turn attachments on the regulator with hexagonal sockets. These include the hose attachment socket covers and flow adjusters. Used on exterior parts of the regulators, there are no special considerations for allen wrenches. Having them as clean as possible is a good idea.

    O-Ring Probe

    • To avoid damaging o-rings, you use an o-ring probe needle to remove them from fixings around the valve openings. The needle head allows easier access than using your hands or other tools. Oxygen regulators are oxygen clean, normally indicated by the color green. You should use a separate probe needle to ensure no contaminants are caught on the o-ring.

    Cap Spanner Wrench

    • Cap spanner wrenches remove or tighten the piston caps on regulators. They are used on oxygen regulator systems that have a piston rather than a diaphragm first stage regulator. They are not adjustable so you need a variety of sizes of cap spanner wrench depending on requirements.

    Multi-Service Wrench

    • A multi-service wrench incorporates a number of tools which allow the service technician to tighten, loosen and remove various regulator parts. These include the first stage yoke retaining nuts, high pressure seat retainers and second stage chamber ports.

    Second Stage Adjusting Tool

    • A second stage adjustment tool is used in-line with pressure to adjust the seat against the poppet on the regulator second stage.

    Adjustable Wrench

    • On normal nut configurations on the regulator, such as hose attachments, it is possible to use an adjustable wrench to loosen and tighten fixtures.