Bi-directional direct-acting relief valve

Capacity: 30 gpm120 L/min. | Cavity: T-3A
RBFA : Bi-directional direct-acting relief valve
Technical Features [ + ]

The bi-directional, direct-acting relief cartridge is a normally closed, pressure-limiting valve used to protect hydraulic components from pressure transients. When the pressure differential between ports 1 and 2 exceeds the valve setting, the valve starts to open, throttling flow to limit the pressure rise, regardless of the direction.

Both directions have very similar setting and performance.

  • Because the modulating occurs inside the cartridge, these valves are immune to most of the problems associated with cavitation, namely noise and manifold erosion.
  • The seals on the adjust screw are exposed to pressure at port 1 which means this valve can only be adjusted when the pressure is removed or port 2 is used to set the valve. The setting procedure at port 1 is; check the setting, remove the pressure, adjust the valve, check the new setting.
  • All 2-port relief cartridges (except pilot reliefs) are physically and functionally interchangeable (same flow path, same cavity for a given frame size).
  • Valve is relatively insensitive to varying oil temperatures and oil borne contamination.
  • Select a spring range where the desired relief setting is approximately mid-range to high between the minimum and maximum pressure to ensure maximum valve repeatability.
  • Incorporates the Sun floating style construction to minimize the possibility of internal parts binding due to excessive installation torque and/or cavity/cartridge machining variations.
Technical Data [ + ]
Note: Data may vary by configuration. See CONFIGURATION section.
Cavity T-3A
Series 2
Capacity 30 gpm120 L/min.
Maximum Operating Pressure 5000 psi350 bar
Factory Pressure Settings Established at 4 gpm15 L/min.
Maximum Valve Leakage at Reseat 30 drops/min.30 drops/min.
Response Time - Typical 2 ms2 ms
Reseat >85% of setting>85% of setting
Hysteresis ≤ 3 %≤ 3 %
Adjustment - No. of CW Turns from Min. to Max. setting 55
Valve Hex Size 1 1/8 in.28,6 mm
Valve Installation Torque 45 - 50 lbf ft61 - 68 Nm
Seal kit - Cartridge Buna: 990303007
Seal kit - Cartridge Polyurethane: 990303002
Seal kit - Cartridge Viton: 990303006
Performance Curves [ + ]
FAQs [ + ]

One graphic example is on a portable grain auger for silos. When the farmer gets caught in the auger the kick-down relief trips and allows him to escape.

Pressure setting tolerances are listed in our Performance Data page. A link to this page can also be found in the Additional Resources tab of the applicable product page.

There are exactly 250 Sun drops in a cubic inch or 15 in a cc.

Maybe not. We build in a good amount of overlap in the kick-down reliefs to prevent false tripping. This means they are not as fast as our standard pilot-operated reliefs. A direct-acting relief valve set just above the kick-down relief valve would be good insurance.

Direct-acting valves are used to prevent over pressure, and pilot-operated valves are used to regulate pressure. If you are unsure, use a direct-acting valve. Sun's direct acting valves are very fast, dirt tolerant, stable, and robust. Sun's pilot-operated valves are moderately fast, they have a low pressure rise vs. flow curve, and they are easy to adjust.

Only external seals are serviceable.  Sun offers replacement seal kits for all cartridge models. The applicable kit part number can be found in the product page's Technical Data table or by using our Cartridge Seal Kit search function located under Accessories. Please note: Converting the external seals from one material to another does not ensure fluid compatibility with that material due to the existence of internal seals within the cartridge.
Additional Resources [ + ]