High vacuum systems with oil diffusion pumps usually have a pressure switch to protect against Insufficient cooling water; however, If left unattended for long periods of time, failure of the mechanical fore pump can occur with equally serious results. The device shown schematically in Fig. 1 has been found to give effective protection against both these failures, yet it is inexpensive and relatively simple to build and operate.With this system, pressure in the fore pump line is measured by thermocouple vacuum gage TVG (CVC G.TC-004) whose output is monitored by meter relay MRy (Weston 1092 Sensitrol) which is set to close if the pressure rises above about 0.2 torr. This energizes control relay CRy (Potter & Brumfield KA5Y 120VAC SPDT) cutting off power to solenoid-operated fore line valve Vf (Cenco 94280-4 Norm. Closed) which closes to prevent further leakage of air into the diffusion pump