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Vacuum Pressure Switches
Monitor vacuum in lines, pumps and machines with the adjustable Beck 901 Prescal®.
A vacuum pressure switch alarms or stops a machine the moment vacuum falls outside its set limit, protecting lifters and packaging lines from a dropped part or a failed pack. The Beck 901 Prescal® vacuum switch is adjustable from -5 mbar to -700 mbar on a scaled knob, for media up to 85 °C, or 130 °C by connection.
1 Product · Vacuum Pressure Switches
Selection guide
Vacuum Pressure Switches Guide
How a vacuum pressure switch works
The switch uses the same diaphragm-and-spring principle as a standard pressure switch, but calibrated for negative pressure. As vacuum weakens past the set point, the diaphragm moves back and trips the contact, signalling a lost grip, a failed seal or a pump that's no longer pulling down. It resets once vacuum is restored, with no external power needed to trip the alarm.
How to choose a vacuum pressure switch
- Range: the Beck 901 Prescal® vacuum covers -5 mbar to -700 mbar, adjustable on a scaled knob without tools or a gauge.
- Medium: suits liquid and gaseous media, including aggressive media when specified.
- Temperature: media up to 85 °C as standard, or 130 °C depending on the connection material.
- Application fit: for vacuum lifters and grippers, choose a range around your normal holding vacuum with margin for a low alarm; for pumps, set it to confirm the system reaches and holds its required vacuum.
For pressure switching above atmospheric pressure, see pressure switches.
FAQ
Common questions
What vacuum range does the Beck 901 switch cover?
-5 mbar to -700 mbar, adjustable on the scaled Prescal® knob without a pressure gauge or tools. Set the trip point to your normal holding vacuum with enough margin to catch a genuine loss before a part drops or a pack fails.
Can a vacuum switch confirm a pump is working correctly?
Yes. It's commonly used to confirm that a vacuum pump or central vacuum system reaches and holds its required vacuum, tripping an alarm if the pump fails or a line leaks and the vacuum weakens past the set point.
What media can the vacuum pressure switch handle?
Liquid and gaseous media, including aggressive media when specified with suitable materials. Media temperature can reach 85 °C as standard, or 130 °C depending on the connection material fitted. Tell us the medium and we'll confirm the version.
How is the switching point set on a vacuum pressure switch?
Turn the scaled Prescal® knob to the vacuum level you need; no external pressure gauge is required. The switch trips as vacuum falls past that point and resets once vacuum is restored.
Is a vacuum switch suitable for packaging machines?
Yes. It's widely used on vacuum lifters, pick-and-place grippers, and packaging and thermoforming machines, where a lost grip or a failed seal has to be caught immediately rather than found later as a dropped part or a bad pack.
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