SMC AC30-N03-Z-D Air Combination, Air Filter + Regulator + Lubricator, 3/8" NPT, 5 Micron, 0.05-0.85 MPa

The SMC AC30-N03-Z-D is a size 30, three-unit modular air combination on 3/8" NPT ports: an AF30-D air filter, AR30-D regulator, and AL30-D lubricator. It filters to 5 microns, regulates from 0.05 to 0.85 MPa (approx. 7 to 123 psi), and delivers metered oil mist downstream for pneumatic tools, cylinders, and machinery that require lubricated air. This configuration has no factory-mounted gauge, uses a relieving-type regulator with left-to-right flow, and carries transparent bowl guards and psi/°F imperial-unit labeling for North American installations.

Part Number Breakdown: AC30-N03-Z-D

Unlisted options default to standard: no pressure gauge, no float-type auto drain, standard 0.05-0.85 MPa regulating spring, polycarbonate bowls, relieving-type exhaust, and left-to-right flow direction.

Specifications

Full dimensional data, drain and oil capacities, and flow curves are in SMC's AC-D series catalog; contact Automation Distribution for a datasheet.

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 lubricator leg for air tools and equipment whose documentation calls for oil mist. If nothing downstream needs oil, the AC30B-D (air filter + regulator, same body family) is the cleaner and cheaper choice.
• Three units vs. two. The AC30-D separates filtration and regulation into individual AF30-D and AR30-D bodies. That costs mounting length versus the two-body AC30A-D (filter regulator + lubricator) but buys independent service: elements, bowls, and the regulator can each be isolated, replaced, or upgraded without touching the others, and the modular stack accepts additions like a mist separator later. High-duty or dirty-air installations tend to justify the three-body layout; tight panels tend toward the AC30A-D.
• No gauge is a choice, not an omission. This configuration suits installations with a panel gauge or transmitter elsewhere in the line. The plain AR30-D retains its gauge connection port, so a round gauge or digital pressure switch can be added at the unit later. If the design definitely wants a gauge at the FRL from day one, spec the factory-fitted round gauge (G) or square embedded gauge (E) version of the same combination instead.
• Check lubricator minimum flow. Lubricators need a minimum airflow before oil begins dripping. Circuits that idle at very low flow, such as a single small-bore cylinder cycling intermittently, can pass air without picking up oil - verify the AL30-D minimum dripping flow in the datasheet against your real duty cycle, not the peak.
• Port and flow headroom. Size 30 covers 1/4" and 3/8" ports. For 1/2" branch lines or higher flow, step up to the AC40-D in the same modular family with the same option structure.

Crossover Notes: AC30-N03-Z-A to -D

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

• Wider regulation range. The AC-A generation topped out at 100 psi set pressure; the -D regulates to 0.85 MPa (123 psi), so every existing setpoint carries over with headroom for higher-pressure branches.
• Monitoring options that did not exist in the -A. The AC-D family offers square embedded gauges and digital pressure switches in addition to round gauges. This plain configuration keeps its gauge port free, so monitoring can be added at any point without replacing the unit.
• Attachments move to the Y-D series. SMC ended production of the Y*00-A spacers alongside the AC-A bodies, so replacement mounting hardware should be ordered as Y300-D and Y300T-D. Interchangeability is maintained in both directions - new Y-D spacers connect to existing-generation bodies and existing spacers connect to -D bodies - so mixed stacks remain serviceable during transition.

Mounting and Attachments: What You May Need

The AC30-N03-Z-D ships as a three-body combination with no mounting attachment. Current size 30 AC-D hardware, all stocked by Automation Distribution:

• Y300T-D spacer with bracket - the wall/panel mounting solution for size 30 AC-D units. Replaces the discontinued Y300T-A.
• Y300-D spacer - joins modular bodies where no bracket is required. Replaces the discontinued Y300-A.
• E300-N03-D piping adapter - 3/8" NPT adapter that lets the unit be removed for service without breaking the line piping. Worth adding on any installation where downtime for element changes matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What replaces the SMC AC30-N03-Z-A?

The AC30-N03-Z-D is the direct factory replacement. SMC discontinued the AC-A series in March 2025 and the AC-D series carries the identical configuration string, so the crossover keeps the same 3/8" NPT ports, no-gauge configuration, and imperial-unit labeling.

Is the AC30-N03-Z-D a drop-in replacement?

Yes for piping and function: same 3/8" NPT ports, same three-unit modular layout, 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. For bracket-mounted installations, order the current Y300T-D spacer with bracket, since the old Y300T-A is also discontinued.

What is the difference between the SMC AC30-D and AC30A-D?

The AC30-D is the three-unit combination: separate air filter (AF30-D), regulator (AR30-D), and lubricator (AL30-D). The AC30A-D is the two-unit version that merges filtration and regulation into a single AW30-D filter regulator, paired with the AL30-D lubricator. The letter after the body size is the body-type code, not an option - when crossing over a discontinued part, match it exactly.

Can a pressure gauge be added to this unit?

Yes. This configuration ships without a gauge, and the plain AR30-D regulator retains its gauge connection port, so a round gauge or digital pressure switch can be fitted at any time. Only the factory embedded-gauge (E) versions lack the spare port.

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.