The SMC ITV2090-312CL5 is an electronic vacuum regulator designed for applications that require vacuum pressure to be controlled proportionally by an electrical signal rather than by manual adjustment. Unlike standard positive-pressure electro-pneumatic regulators, this model is built specifically for vacuum control, making it suitable for suction handling systems, vacuum gripping equipment, packaging machinery, semiconductor-related equipment, inspection devices, and automated production lines where stable negative pressure is necessary for repeatable performance. SMC’s official documentation identifies the ITV2090/2091 series as an Electronic Vacuum Regulator family intended for stepless control of vacuum pressure in proportion to an electric signal.
The exact model ITV2090-312CL5 is a member of the ITV2090 series, and distributor references decode it as a version with a vacuum regulating range of -1.3 to -80 kPa, 24 VDC power supply, 0 to 5 VDC voltage input, analog monitor output, 1/4 port size, G thread, L-bracket, and right-angle 3 m cable connector. That combination makes it appropriate for OEM machine builders and end users who need remote vacuum setpoint control through PLCs, analog controllers, or other automation hardware.
A major advantage of the ITV2090-312CL5 is that it turns vacuum regulation into a programmable control function. In conventional systems, vacuum is often adjusted mechanically with a manual regulator or set by trial and error around the pump or ejector circuit. That approach is often too crude for automated equipment that runs different products, recipes, or handling cycles. By contrast, the ITV2090-312CL5 allows the control system to define the target vacuum level electronically and maintain it automatically. This improves consistency, reduces setup time, and supports more precise process control in systems where suction force directly affects product handling quality. SMC’s technical literature also describes the series as IP65 equivalent, which adds practical value for installation in real industrial environments.
Key Specifications
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Brand | SMC |
| Model | ITV2090-312CL5 |
| Product Type | Electronic Vacuum Regulator |
| Series | ITV2090/2091 Series |
| Control Type | Stepless vacuum control proportional to electrical signal |
| Regulating Pressure Range | -1.3 to -80 kPa |
| Power Supply | 24 VDC |
| Input Signal | 0 to 5 VDC |
| Monitor Output | Analog output 1 to 5 VDC |
| Port Size | 1/4 |
| Thread Type | G |
| Bracket | L-bracket |
| Cable Connector | Right-angle type, 3 m |
| Enclosure | IP65 equivalent |
| Ambient / Fluid Temperature | 0 to 50°C |
| Product Net Weight | 350 g |
These specifications are supported by SMC’s ITV2090/2091 catalog and by model-specific distributor listings for ITV2090-312CL5. The official series sheet lists the -1.3 to -80 kPa regulating range, 24 VDC option, 0 to 5 VDC / 0 to 10 VDC voltage-input options, 1 to 5 VDC analog monitor output, IP65 equivalent enclosure, 0 to 50°C temperature range, and a unit weight of 350 g. The same documentation also shows the coding structure for bracket, thread, monitor output, and cable connector options.
Product Weight
For engineering, shipping, and installation reference, the SMC ITV2090-312CL5 has an approximate product weight of 350 g. This value is stated directly in SMC’s official ITV2090/2091 series specification sheet. In practice, that weight is useful when planning panel installation, bracket loading, moving assemblies, or compact machine frames where total mounted mass matters. A vacuum regulator with electronic control, digital display, feedback sensing, and cable connection can become cumbersome if the unit is too large or too heavy, but the ITV2090 remains relatively compact for its function.
This moderate weight is one reason the ITV series is attractive in machine design. It gives the user closed-loop vacuum control without imposing the installation penalties associated with larger external control assemblies. In suction-based automation systems, where vacuum regulation may be mounted close to the point of use or integrated into a compact pneumatic module, this is a practical advantage rather than a minor detail.
Operating Principle
The ITV2090-312CL5 regulates vacuum by converting an electrical input signal into a proportional negative-pressure output. According to SMC’s working-principle description for the ITV2090 series, when the input signal increases, the vacuum pressure solenoid valve turns on and the atmospheric pressure solenoid valve turns off. This connects the vacuum source to the pilot chamber, causing the chamber pressure to become negative. That negative pressure acts on a diaphragm, which opens the vacuum pressure valve and connects the vacuum source to the output side. The resulting vacuum level is then fed back to the internal control circuit through a pressure sensor until a vacuum pressure proportional to the input signal is obtained.
This closed-loop method is important because vacuum applications are often sensitive to even small fluctuations. In pick-and-place systems, a weak vacuum may fail to hold the workpiece securely, while excessive vacuum may deform delicate film, packaging material, or lightweight components. In test systems, unstable vacuum can make results inconsistent. In process equipment, vacuum level may need to change during different production stages. The ITV2090-312CL5 is built for this kind of duty because it does not merely restrict flow mechanically; it actively regulates the vacuum level in response to the electrical command signal.
SMC’s published performance data for the series also supports precision use. The catalog lists linearity within ±1% F.S., hysteresis within 0.5% F.S., repeatability within ±0.5% F.S., sensitivity within 0.2% F.S., and temperature characteristics within ±0.12% F.S./°C. These are not decorative marketing phrases; they are the actual technical indicators that explain why the regulator is appropriate for vacuum-sensitive automated equipment.
Design Features and Practical Advantages
A defining feature of the ITV2090-312CL5 is that it is a vacuum-specific regulator, not simply a standard pressure regulator used in reverse. That matters because vacuum control introduces different operating requirements, including vacuum supply behavior, exhaust characteristics, atmospheric balancing, and suction response stability. SMC’s documentation clearly separates the ITV2090/2091 models as Electronic Vacuum Regulators, which confirms that this series is intended for negative-pressure control rather than general positive-pressure duty.
Another important advantage is the analog monitor output. Because the model provides a monitored electrical output corresponding to the regulated condition, the machine controller can supervise vacuum behavior rather than commanding it blindly. This supports more advanced automation logic such as alarm thresholds, process monitoring, condition-based diagnostics, and recipe validation. In industrial systems where suction performance directly affects productivity, this kind of visibility is valuable.
The IP65-equivalent enclosure also deserves attention. Vacuum systems are frequently installed in machine environments where airborne dust, moisture, or incidental splash may be present. IP65 equivalent does not make the device suitable for every chemically aggressive or washdown-heavy environment, but it does give the product a useful level of protection for many general automation applications.
The physical configuration of this exact model is also commercially useful. The 1/4 port size is appropriate for many industrial vacuum circuits, while the L-bracket supports panel or frame mounting. The right-angle 3 m cable connector helps routing in tighter spaces where a straight cable exit would be less convenient. These may look like secondary details, but in real machine layouts they directly affect ease of integration and wiring cleanliness.
Typical Applications
| Application | Typical Function of ITV2090-312CL5 |
|---|---|
| Pick-and-Place Equipment | Controls suction level for stable workpiece handling |
| Packaging Machinery | Regulates vacuum for film transport, opening, or gripping |
| Semiconductor / Electronics Equipment | Maintains repeatable vacuum for delicate component handling |
| Test Systems | Provides programmable vacuum conditions for inspection or leak-related processes |
| Vacuum Transfer Units | Adjusts holding force according to product type |
| OEM Automation Machines | Integrates vacuum regulation into PLC-based control logic |
These uses are consistent with SMC’s description of the series as a regulator for stepless control of vacuum pressure proportional to an electric signal and with its flow-performance presentation for the ITV2090.
Conclusion
The SMC ITV2090-312CL5 is a vacuum-specific electronic regulator designed for industrial systems that need programmable and repeatable negative-pressure control. It is not the same category as the positive-pressure ITV2010, ITV2030, or ITV2050 models; instead, it belongs to the ITV2090/2091 Electronic Vacuum Regulator series, with an official regulating range of -1.3 to -80 kPa. For the specific configuration encoded in ITV2090-312CL5, available references indicate 24 VDC power, 0 to 5 VDC input, 1 to 5 VDC analog monitor output, 1/4 G ports, L-bracket mounting, and a right-angle 3 m cable connector. SMC’s official specification sheet also states an approximate unit weight of 350 g and an IP65-equivalent enclosure.
For machine builders and industrial users, this model is a sound choice when vacuum level must be controlled as part of the automation system rather than left to manual adjustment. Its value is strongest in applications where suction force, holding stability, and process repeatability matter. That is the exact operating space for which the ITV2090 series was designed.
