SMC AC20A-N02G-3CZ-D Air Combination, Filter Regulator + Lubricator with Gauge, 1/4" NPT, 5 Micron, 0.05-0.85 MPa

The SMC AC20A-N02G-3CZ-D is a size 20 modular air combination pairing an AW20-D filter regulator with an AL20-D lubricator on 1/4" NPT ports, with a factory-mounted round pressure gauge. It filters to 5 microns, regulates from 0.05 to 0.85 MPa (7 to 123 psi), and delivers metered lubrication downstream for pneumatic tools, cylinders, and legacy machinery that require lubricated air. This configuration includes a bowl guard, lubricator drain cock, relieving-type regulator, left-to-right flow, and psi/°F labeling with an MPa/psi dual-scale gauge face for North American installations.

Part Number Breakdown: AC20A-N02G-3CZ-D

Unlisted options default to standard: no float-type auto drain, relieving-type exhaust, and left-to-right flow direction.

Specifications

Specifying This Unit in a New Design

Selection checks before committing this configuration to a BOM:

• Confirm the equipment actually requires lubricated air. Modern pre-lubricated cylinders and valves run dry; once a circuit is fed oiled air, the mist washes out factory grease and the circuit must stay lubricated for life. Spec the AC20A-D lubricator combo for air tools and equipment whose documentation calls for oil mist. For everything else, an AC20B-D (filter + regulator) or AW20-D filter regulator alone is the cleaner choice.
• Check flow against the lubricator minimum. The AL20-D needs 15 L/min (ANR) to begin dripping. Circuits that idle below that, such as a single small-bore cylinder cycling intermittently, will pass air without picking up oil. Size the lubricator to the real duty cycle, not the peak.
• Gauge and monitoring choice. This configuration's G option is the round dual-scale gauge for visual checks at the unit. If the design calls for a lower-profile face, spec the E square embedded gauge instead; if the PLC needs the reading, the same AW20-D body takes an ISE35 digital pressure switch. All three mount without repiping, so the choice is changeable after commissioning.
• Port and flow headroom. Size 20 on 1/4" NPT suits point-of-use air prep for individual machines. For 3/8" or 1/2" branch lines or higher flow demand, step up to the AC30-D or AC40-D in the same modular family with the same option structure.

Crossover Notes: AC20A-N02G-3CZ-A to -D

Four changes matter for anyone crossing over from the -A unit:

• Wider regulation range. Set pressure extends to 0.05-0.85 MPa (123 psi), up from the 0.05-0.7 MPa (100 psi) ceiling of the AC-A generation, so every existing setpoint carries over.
• Gauge face changed. The -A generation's G option was a round gauge with a settable limit indicator. On the -D with the Z unit option, the round gauge is an MPa/psi dual-scale face without the limit indicator. Line pressure reads the same; if your procedure has operators checking the needle against the indicator pointer, update the work instruction or add an external gauge with a color zone on the 1/8" gauge port.
• Updated pressure monitoring options. The AW20-D body also accepts a square embedded gauge or an ISE35 digital pressure switch, so the same unit supports a monitoring upgrade later without repiping.
• Full modular interchangeability. SMC maintained cross-generation compatibility: current Y-D series spacers connect to existing AF-A, AR-B, AL-A, and AW-B bodies, and existing spacers connect to the new -D bodies, so mixed-generation FRL stacks remain serviceable.

Mounting and Attachments: What You May Need

The AC20A-N02G-3CZ-D ships as a two-body combination with no mounting attachment. For panel or frame mounting, order the current AC-D series attachment separately:

• Y200T-D spacer with bracket - the wall/panel mounting solution for size 20 AC-D units. Replaces the discontinued Y200T-A.
• Y200-D spacer - joins modular bodies where no bracket is required. Replaces the discontinued Y200-A.

SMC ended production of the Y*00-A attachment series in March 2025 alongside the AC-A units, so replacement spacers and brackets should be ordered as Y200-D and Y200T-D going forward. Interchangeability is maintained in both directions: the new Y-D spacers connect to existing-generation modular bodies, and existing spacers connect to the new -D bodies, so mixed installations remain serviceable during transition. SMC's recommended tightening torque for the size 20 spacer set screws is 0.33 to 0.39 N·m. Installations built on the -A generation may also carry E200 series piping adapters (E200-N01-A, E200-N02-A, E200-N03-A) and Y220P-050S spacer packing; confirm the -D generation equivalents for those pieces when refitting a full stack.

Frequently Asked Questions

What replaces the SMC AC20A-N02G-3CZ-A?

The AC20A-N02G-3CZ-D is the direct factory replacement. SMC discontinued the AC-A series in March 2025 and designates the AC-D series as its successor. The configuration string is identical: same ports, thread type, factory-mounted round gauge, bowl guard, lubricator drain cock, and imperial-unit labeling.

Is the AC20A-N02G-3CZ-D a drop-in replacement?

For piping and function, yes: same 1/4" NPT ports, same size 20 modular body family, same relieving regulator and left-to-right flow, with a wider 0.05-0.85 MPa regulation range that covers every setting the old unit supported. The gauge face is the one visible difference: dual scale MPa/psi instead of the -A's limit-indicator style. For bracket-mounted installations, pair it with the current Y200T-D spacer with bracket, since the old Y200T-A is also discontinued.

What do the G and Z options mean in the part number?

G specifies a factory-mounted round pressure gauge on the filter regulator. Z specifies psi and °F units on the product label; on NPT-threaded units it also gives the gauge an MPa/psi dual-scale face. Together they are the standard configuration for North American installations that want line pressure visible at the unit.

Does this unit include an auto drain?

No. The filter regulator bowl uses a manual drain cock, and the lubricator includes its own drain cock (the 3 option). A float-type auto drain is available in the AC-D series under different option codes if unattended draining is required.

Automation Distribution is an authorized SMC distributor. Browse the full range of SMC air combination units, or contact our team at 1-888-600-3080 for crossover help on any discontinued SMC part number.