How is pressure typically affected when a regulator poppet is worn?

When a regulator poppet is worn, pressure typically fluctuates rather than simply increasing. The poppet plays a crucial role in maintaining a consistent pressure by opening and closing in response to system demands. When it becomes worn, its ability to create a proper seal diminishes, which can lead to an inability to regulate the pressure effectively.

A worn poppet may result in leaks or improper adjustments, making it difficult for the regulator to stabilize the pressure within the system. Consequently, this leads to variations in pressure as the system responds to changes in demand—an increase in flow can cause a drop in pressure if the regulator cannot compensate effectively. Therefore, the correct answer highlights that the condition of the poppet directly affects how well the regulator can maintain a consistent pressure.