Water ball valves: types, classification, device and principle of operation

Water faucets of various designs are in every home. You don’t want to invite a plumber every time a faucet breaks, do you agree? But to cope with the repair, you need to know the device of the ball-type water faucet and its main details.

This is where we will come to your aid - this article discusses the existing types of ball valves, their device, classification, marking features and the principle of operation. Thanks to the knowledge gained, you will be able to handle the repair of all varieties with your own hands.

For a better understanding of the material, we have provided the article with illustrative photos and diagrams with a crane with a ball mechanism, and also selected videos that provide information in an accessible form on how to shut off and install the crane.

The most popular cranes with a ball mechanism, invented 100 years ago. They are easy to install and affordable. The consumer is presented with a number of design options with functional and design differences.

Speaking of ball valves, it is worth separating the concepts of "faucet" and "faucet". Both varieties are united by a common structural element for them - a locking or regulating part in the form of a body of rotation of a rounded configuration.

Actions for locking the pipeline or adjusting the flow are performed by turning this element around its conditional central axis.

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A huge range of faucets for water supply allows you to choose a device for any water supply system with optimal parameters and external design

A faucet is a mechanism for mixing water and regulating its temperature, while a faucet can only regulate the amount of pressure.

Shut-off ball valves are divided into passage valves, i.e. installed in a straight section of the pipeline, angular, i.e. located on the site with a change in the direction of flow by 90º, and on a three-way, i.e. supplying the flow to two receiving nozzles.

Due to the simplicity of the design, the ball valve rarely breaks, it is extremely easy to repair and install

Valves with ball valves are used in water supply and heating circuits.

According to the throughput parameters, the taps used in thermal systems are divided into:

• full bore. Ball devices, in which the diameter of the outlet of the ball plug, it is also a shutter, is equal to the diameter of the pipeline on which the valve is installed.
• Reduced. Plumbing fixtures in which the diameter of the outlet of the ball plug is less than the same size of the pipeline in most cases by one standard size.

Cranes of the reduced type allow you to shut off the heat main quickly, but without the threat of the formation of a water hammer.

By type of connection to the water supply system:

• Threaded. Fittings with internal or external conical or cylindrical threads. Mounted by screwing on couplings or screwing in spigot fittings. The most common type in public utilities is easy to install, makes it easy to carry out repairs.
• Combined. Devices equipped with internal and external threads. On the one hand, they are connected by means of a coupling with an internal thread, on the other hand, by a nipple fitting.
• Welded. Mounted by welding. With impeccable performance, the connections provide perfect tightness, do not require periodic adjustment of the position of the couplings, as the previous version. However, they are inconvenient to repair, because. together with them it is necessary to dismantle part of the pipeline.
• Flanged. Are established by means of flanges on responsible pipeline highways. They can be repeatedly dismantled and re-installed. Periodically require control of the bolted tightening of the flanges.

Do you have a water pipe made of metal-plastic pipes? About for such a pipeline can be read in our other article.

In both cases, before installation, pay attention to the arrow indicating the direction of flow and be sure to observe this condition. Before screwing the tap, it is recommended to wrap the thread with FUM tape. This will ensure the most reliable sealing.

After installation, it is necessary to check the operability of the locking device. To do this, turn on the water and check for leaks, gradual formation of drops, smudges. It is also necessary to make sure that nothing interferes with the control of the crane, i.e. the lever or "butterfly" has free play.

Electric welding is used to mount the device by welding. It is important not to damage the ball mechanism and o-rings.

First, one branch pipe is welded, then the second, while on the vertical sections the valve must be installed in the “closed” position, and on the horizontal sections - “open”.

Using a fitting and a lock nut, a ball valve can be installed not only on a metal or plastic pipe, but also to connect pipes made of different materials with it

The operation of ball mechanisms does not cause difficulties, they are used either in a closed or in an open form. It is theoretically possible to regulate water supply with a ball valve.

However, it is worth considering that such a valve is, first of all, a locking device and too intensive operation will lead to rapid wear of the seals. For flow control, it is better to use ball-type mixers or a needle valve if a mixer cannot be installed.

It is impossible to install household taps where technical water containing solid impurities passes through the pipes, because. they will quickly damage the o-rings, disabling the locking device.

Before buying ball control valves for a water supply system, you need to check the plan and determine how many straight and rotary pieces will be required

Advantages and disadvantages of ball valves

Ball valves are very popular in various sectors of the economy. They are considered reliable locking devices, are part of the water supply system of a city apartment and a private house.

In addition to reliability and simplicity of design, products of this type have many other advantages:

• large working resource, long service life;
• rarely break, easily repaired;
• high degree of tightness, with proper installation, there are no leaks;
• convenient use, to block the water flow, it is enough to turn or press the lever;
• a huge range of sizes and types;
• ease of installation, you can install it yourself without involving a plumber.

Ball valves have no drawbacks, they are affordable, every hardware store will offer you several products of various sizes to choose from.

A faucet with a ball mechanism will save its owners the time-consuming and frequent replacement of gaskets, as well as problems with water leakage, which are so common with obsolete faucets.

Ball mixers very rarely fail, the main cause of failure is hard water, so manufacturers recommend installing water filters in the water supply system

How to choose a good ball valve?

As already mentioned, modern manufacturers produce more than 4 thousand different types of ball valves, so for an unprepared buyer, choosing a locking device is a difficult task.

When choosing a mechanism, in addition to the main parameter - the throughput diameter, you should pay attention to the following factors:

1. Appearance. A high-quality product has no chips, notches, dents. Its surface is smooth, the marking of the manufacturer is clearly visible.
2. Permissible pressure. Of the two options, it is better to choose the valve, the maximum allowable pressure, which will be greater. Please note that this indicator for hot water should be at least 20 kg / cm², for cold - at least 10 kg / cm². The greater the allowable pressure, the better the product will resist the heating that periodically occurs in the pipeline.
3. Housing design. For connecting household appliances, shower cabins, distributing a water supply system, or it is better to give preference to simpler and maintainable collapsible taps. For the most important areas, such as a central water supply, an all-welded body would be the best option.
4. Body material. The highest quality products are made of brass. Be careful! Under the guise of a brass faucet, they can sell you a fake made of silumin, a cheap, low-quality metal. You can identify a fake by weight: a brass faucet is heavy.

Steel products look solid, but quickly rust and fail. Of course, this does not apply to stainless steel devices, which, however, are quite rare. If only cold water will pass through the tap, then you can choose a plastic product.

To shut off the flow in non-pressure and low-pressure systems transporting drinking water, domestic non-caustic and storm drains, non-plasticized PVC ball valves can be used.

When choosing a crane, be guided by the average price, too low a cost should alert you, because. you are probably offered a marriage or a fake made of cheap steel.

As for the cost of ball valves, the Made in Italy devices are the most expensive. Slightly lower in cost are Spanish, Czech, Hungarian devices. Russian and Ukrainian manufacturers occupy an average price niche, combining quality and reasonable cost.

The most expensive and durable ball valves are made of brass, coated with a chrome or nickel layer; such devices can be operated for a long time at temperatures above one hundred degrees

The cheapest products are traditionally made in China. The quality of Chinese mechanisms leaves much to be desired, they can only be used as temporary locking devices.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Detailed instructions for installing ball valves in steps:

Ball valve problems:

The ball valve is a useful invention that greatly simplifies the installation of a safe water supply system. Installation is hassle-free, no need to call a plumber or use complicated tools.

Familiarization with the device of different types of ball water faucet will help you perform a number of simple repair operations with your own hands without involving plumbers.

Are you looking for shut-off valves for the water supply system? Perhaps you still have questions after reading the material? Ask them in the comments - we will try to help you with the choice.

Or maybe you have recently been repairing a crane with a ball mechanism? Did everything work out for you or was the breakdown too complicated and you had to buy a new crane? Share your experience in the comment block - it may be useful to other users.