Ball valve for heating: types, sizes, characteristics

The heating system requires periodic maintenance. For this purpose, a stop valve is installed, including a ball valve for heating. What kinds exist, the principle of work and feedback - all these issues will be considered in more detail.

Design features

The ball valve for heating does not differ in complexity of design. Due to this, it is widely used. The complete set of stop valves includes:

• Ball. It is made of high-carbon steel. Has a polished surface. Achieved by diamond grinding. Smooth surface prevents the accumulation of small impurities, debris and breakage of the reinforcement.
• Housing. It is made of polypropylene, brass, cast iron, steel, bronze. The quality of the metal used for production is a guarantee of a long service life of the reinforcement.
• Removable housing nut. Available in the same metal as the main body.
• Stock. The kit includes rubber and Teflon seals.
• The stem seal washer, stem seal adjustment nut, screw.
• A pen.

As you can see, the ball valve for heating differs in a simple design. Over time, you may need to replace the rubber seal. Removable composite models allow this to be done easily. Polypropylene brazed will have to be dismantled by a specialist.

Features of work

The ball valve for heating can only be used as a stop valve. Some are used as a regulating device. But if you set the middle position, then the ball in the crane will lose surface smoothness with time, and this will significantly shorten its service life. It should be understood that the heating system implies not only a stop valve, but also a bypass, an air vent. Only such a kit will ensure trouble-free heating operation.

Device Advantages

The popularity of stop valves of such a plan is obtained due to the following advantages:

• Ability to completely shut off the supply of coolant. This allows you to repair the radiators without completely turning off the heating.
• Simplicity of design and installation.
• A wide range of.
• Low price.
• Reliability and durability. If quality equipment is purchased and properly operated, then the lifespan of these devices is not less than 10 years. The case is not susceptible to corrosion.

The disadvantages include a recommendation for use as an adjustment armature.

Classifications

According to the classifications, there are the following types of ball valves for heating:

• According to the material of execution: polypropylene, brass, cast iron, bronze, steel. There are also cheap fakes from more fragile types of metal.
• By design: through, angled, tees. The first is characterized by two bends. As for the corners, the nozzles are at an angle to each other. Tees have three elements, which allows you to redirect the flow of the coolant.
• By the way of management: electric, pneumatic, manual.
• Throughput: full-pass (up to 100%), incomplete (up to 50%), standard (70-80%).
• By the type of installation: muff, flanged, chisel, welded.

Let us consider in more detail the latest classification.

Types of ball valves for installation

Each model has its own peculiarities of device and connection:

• Muff. Mounted with couplings that have a conical or cylindrical thread. These ball valves for heating systems are divided into: monolithic (solid body), two-part (common form), three-part (the best option, since it is possible to replace the gaskets). Recommended for systems with pipes up to a diameter of 45 mm. The working pressure of the heating should not exceed 16 bar, and the temperature should be up to 100 ° C. Compact, lightweight.
• Flanged. Mounted with additional flanges. They are subdivided into: straight flow, through, angular, mixing. Recommended for systems with operating temperatures above 100 ° C and pressures of 16 bar. Differ a rather large size, high weight.
• Tubular. Installation is carried out with the help of a nipple and union nut. The valve has a threaded connection on both nozzles. Withstands the operating temperature up to 200 ° C.
• Welded. It can be both polypropylene and steel cranes. The disadvantage is the difficult dismantling. Therefore, choosing such a model, you should purchase only high-quality devices from well-known manufacturers. Chinese factories are not considered.

Each device has its own nuances of editing. Therefore, you should carefully consider the selection of devices.

Marking

Ball valves for heating systems have a numerical and a letter designation:

• КШ - ball valve.
• Letter designations: M (collar), Ф (flanged), Ш (choke), П (through).
• The letter designation: Э (electric drive), Пн (pneumatic drive), if there is no designation - manual control.
• DN XXX is the diameter of the aisle. For example, DN 1 (1/2) inch.
• PN XXX is the operating pressure.
• XX - characterizes the model of resistance to work and the environment.

After reading the marking, you can easily pick the required option.

Recomendation recommendations

When buying, pay attention to the following indicators:

• Diameter of the passage. The peculiarity is that on the cranes there is a designation of the internal size. If parameter 1 (1/2) inch is specified, then a pipe with a 40 mm passage or an external diameter of 46 mm is suitable.
• Operating pressure. For heating systems, a parameter with a margin is always selected. The recommended value is 20 bar.
• Manufacturer. It is recommended to give preference to Russian or European manufacturers. The Chinese production uses for these devices silumin, which is not distinguished by reliability and resistance to an aggressive environment.
• Housing material. The most reliable are the brass products. They are recommended for heating systems. There are many counterfeits on the market, so you should request a certificate for the products. And also to study the appearance of the product. If it has rips and other visible defects, this should alert.
• In the interior space, consider the lock ball. If it has a smooth mirror surface without defects, then it is a guarantee of a long service life.
• The cost. Ball valves for heating, the price of which is much lower than the market average, is also likely to turn out to be a substandard counterfeit. Their cost starts from 500 rubles.
• Material of the handle. It is advisable to choose metal. Plastic is a fragile material and eventually becomes unusable.
• Check the locking mechanism. He must close and open himself without much effort.

Reviews

According to numerous responses from consumers, the Bugatti firm has proved itself in the domestic market. Produces quality ball valves for heating. The price for them is quite high - about a thousand rubles. But the life of such devices reaches several tens of years. A lot of negativity about Chinese fakes. Therefore, the equipment should be purchased in specialized stores. For radiators, ball valves for heating 3/4 are most often used, which corresponds to a pipe capacity of 20 mm. Which model to choose is decided in a particular case based on the technical requirements of the heating system. It is important to purchase an original quality stop valve. Then, during operation, you can avoid troubles with leakage of the system.