Ball valves for water supply: types, characteristics, installation

When carrying out repairs in the apartment, water pipes are often replaced, which contain taps and valves. On how well the choice of these elements is made, the safety of tenants of neighboring apartments will depend. When installing substandard or counterfeit products there is always a risk of flooding.

In order to avoid mistakes when buying items of sanitary ware, you need to learn their basic functions and purposes.

Responsible for the supply of water in the bathroom and in the kitchen can be the most common and reliable ball valves for water. This kind gradually replaces the previously used wedge-shaped valves, conical and cylindrical cranes. This type is used in systems not only water, but also gas and oil pipelines. They are so universal that they have found application practically in all accompanying areas.

Sphere of application of ball elements:

- transportation through pipelines of various liquids: oil, oil products, solutions in industry;

- heating and water supply;

- gas pipeline;

- wastewater;

- Fire hydrants.

Design

Ball valves for water pipes started to be used even more than 100 years ago in Europe.

In the photo - a modern ball valve brand STOUT (http://www.stout.ru/), combining in its design all advanced technical solutions and innovative materials.

Until now, such a crane remains the only such device that combines reliability and simplicity of design. The ascending element is a locking mechanism, which consists of a conventional ball with an opening that blocks the flow of water. It can move at an angle of 90 degrees and regulate the flow of water or its overlap. The hole that is in the balloon can be of various shapes - from oval to rectangular. But its size depends on the diameter of the pipe and the direct purpose of the crane.

The water supply occurs when the hole in the ball is rotated parallel to the pipe, the flow is blocked if the hole is perpendicular.

But the ball can be placed in several ways:

- in simple devices, for small volumes - floating;

- in large cranes - on special supports.

Parts of the ball element

This is an irreplaceable device in the plumber of the following elements:

- housing;

- a pen;

- the nut;

- Stock;

- packing gland for stem;

- ball shutter;

- Seal for the saddle type ball.

Ball valves for water can be made in a brass body. It is considered good in quality, but it all depends on what percentage of this substance contains the alloy. The outer part is made of nickel to prevent possible oxidation.

The handle can be steel with a top layer of nickel, on which a small amount of polyvinyl chloride is applied. The self-locking nut, which has steel ball valves, is also made of steel coated with chrome.

From brass with nickel plating is made and rod. But its seal is heat-resistant Teflon. Some models have a seal of special composition of butadiene rubber. From brass covered in this way, make the ball of the shutter, as a seal - heat-resistant Teflon.

Advantages of the ball element

When choosing a stop valve in plumbing, the choice of this design can be due to the following advantages:

- reliability;

- simplicity of construction;

- ease of use (simple turn of the handle);

- simple installation, which can produce not even a professional;

- resistance to corrosion;

- high tightness;

- high abrasion resistance;

- Good economy.

Kinds

Selecting the correct faucet will help the knowledge of their varieties. They are classified by the installation method.

Coupling ball valves for water are designed for pipes, the diameter of which does not exceed 45 mm. Due to its compact dimensions, this faucet is securely attached to all kinds of systems, from heating to plumbing.

Flanged ball valves for water supply are used in products with a larger diameter. In their installation, it is necessary to use sealing gaskets, which allow increasing the strength of the joint and its tightness. This form has become very popular in gas and oil pipelines. All due to the fact that it can withstand high pressure. Cranes ball nuts are indispensable in such areas as food and chemical industry. All because of the fact that such an element can be mounted several times.

Another version of the ball valve is welded. From the name it is clear that it is attached by an integral connection - welding. The dismantling of such an element is excluded, so its application is justified only in the construction sector.

The most common type - the cranes are ball couplers full-pass. They have found application in most areas of activity. All thanks to a simple way to close the flow in the pipes - just turn the handle. This is the type of crane that can be found in household systems. But for industrial purposes, steel ball valves are used. The material allows you to perform the tasks in extreme conditions.

The ball valve, the types of which are subdivided, regardless of the diameter, into full-bore and incomplete, have their differences. What is the difference in the elements? To do this, we need to consider the construction of each species in more detail.

Full-pass coefficient

In full-bore devices, the diameter of the holes in the nozzles that connect to it does not narrow. But the incomplete hole size of the hole in the balloon is lower than in the flange. This reduces the consumption of metal. Also, the efforts needed to control the valve are reduced. The coefficient of resistance to hydraulic forces in incomplete passages is much higher than for similar full-bore cranes.

Advantages of full-bore elements:

- Ball valves full-bore have a small coefficient of resistance to hydraulic loads;

- loss of head is excluded;

- reduced load on the locking element;

- durability;

Even despite the large number of pluses, ball valves full-bore have the following drawbacks:

- high mass of the product;

- high cost.

The incomplete bore ball element has several features in its structure. The passage in it can be tapered from both sides symmetrically or not. An asymmetric valve of this kind can be installed only in the direction of movement of the working flow. Moreover, the symmetric one does not depend on these conditions.

Part-failing elements may differ in their construction length, overlap and permeability. It is the latter meaning that plays an important role. The rest will depend on him. Reducing the diameter of patency can reduce the cost of production, but, at the same time, increase the hydraulic resistance. Therefore, it is necessary in advance to decide what is preferable and whether the value of the head has a value.

Ball products from plastic

The following materials are used for the production of non-metallic stop valves: polypropylene and polyethylene. This design eliminates the appearance of corrosion of any kind. This equipment is installed in those places where the flow with an aggressive medium passes. The disadvantage is the impossibility of using in heating and hot water systems - such a medium adversely affects the material of the product.

Proper operation

Any equipment, if installed correctly and used neatly, will last longer than expected. Ball valves for water are subject to long-term operation for several years. There are a few tips for this:

- it is forbidden to increase the length of the handle independently, use only that which was given initially;

- the thread of the valve and the pipe must coincide;

- do not overtighten the connection, otherwise the lock body may be deformed;

- When installing a crane in an environment with known contamination, it is better to put a protective mesh in front of the device.

Installation

The ball valve, which can be installed independently, is mounted under the following conditions:

- The place for installation should be chosen so that there is no interference to the rotation of the handle;

- the diameter of the ball valve must be compatible with the diameter of the pipe;

- correctly position the tap, depending on the water flow, the device should have a sign in the form of an arrow;

- at the junction point, you can wind a special sealant or patch in the direction of the thread, this will protect against possible leaks;

- At the end of the installation, check the tap for leaks and let the water run.

Dismantling

Eternal details do not happen, therefore any plumbing device sooner or later fails and requires replacement. Problems with elements such as ball valves for water pipes can be caused by a clog in the space between the gasket and the ball, and also because the rubber gasket itself breaks down.

To disassemble the connection between the element and the pipe, proceed as follows:

- block the water;

- unscrew the screw that holds the turn knob;

- Remove the turn lever;

- unscrew a part of the threaded tap using a screwdriver, it must be done clockwise;

- remove the dome of the crane, with the help of pliers, together with this remove the plastic element;

- inspect the ball, if it is damaged, then replace it with a new one;

- replace obsolete and damaged gaskets;

- When troubleshooting all problems, assemble the device by following the steps in reverse order.

How to determine that the repair was successful. This will be evidenced by the fact that the crane is doing its job well, does not let the liquid pass and is able to regulate its flow.

Cost

Ball valves, the price of which depends on several values, can be expensive or cheap.

Price parameters depend on:

- material;

- thickness of the shell;

- quality of the shutter bowl;

- seal tightness;

- for the intended purpose;

- fame of the company.

Examples of prices:

Crane ball valve Giacomini full-flow R850 1 "BP / BP DN25 PN28, Tmax = 185 ° C, chrome plated - price 550 rubles Genebre full-bore DN25 PN25 G 1 HP / BP Tmax = 180˚C - price 562 rubles.

Crane ball valve R850 3/4 "BP / BP DN20 PN35, Tmax = 185 ° C, chrome plated - price 368 rubles. These were examples of the simplest elements that are used everywhere for domestic purposes, but there are also ball valves, the price of which is much higher. Broen Ballomax f / f KShT 11s10ft60.003.080 DN 80 PN 16 lightweight - 4082 rubles Broen Ballomax f / c KShT 61.103.125 DN 125 PN 16 with handle (61.103.125h1) - the price is 17922 rubles. Naturally, such products are not intended for Dachas and vegetable gardens, and are used exclusively for industrial purposes.

Genebre full-bore DN40 PN25 G 1 1/2 VR / VR max.180˚C (302908) - 1106 rubles.

Advice

When buying, be sure to pay attention to the material of the product. Well, if it's brass. In no case should not choose in favor of silumin cock. Such a product will not have sufficient reliability, since the material itself simply can not withstand the operational loads. You can distinguish the silumin product from brass by weight.

Having come for a purchase, you can get confused in the variety. It should be remembered that the manufacturer already marked all the devices in appearance. If it's a crane with a butterfly or a yellow handle, it's for a gas pipeline. But if the devices have different colors, then this is for the water supply and heating system. However, often some craftsmen put products for the pipeline to themselves for irrigation. They explain this by the fact that these products are more reliable and better manufactured than their counterparts designed for water. And the cost of these devices is several times larger, so this is worth thinking about.

Pressure

Not the least role has such an indicator as working pressure. This limit value is usually indicated on the marking. For household cranes, this indicator should be not less than 16 atmospheres.

So, we found out what the cranes are used for, and where they are used.