Ball valves are one of the most commonly used valves, offering ease of operation, durability, and performance with just a quarter turn. While many systems use a one way ball valve, which allows flow through the valve from the inlet port to the outlet port only in one direction.
The one way ball valve has to be installed in the system in the correct position for the valve to open and operate correctly. The two way ball valve can be installed with either port as the inlet and outlet port, making it a good option or an inline valve to turn on or shut off the flow through a system. Some these valves can also be designed with a right angle, with the external control lever to the top of the valve.
A More Advanced Control Option
The 3 way ball valve is more complex in design. It can be used to turn the flow of the media in the system on and off as well as to divert the flow between one of two possible outlet ports. It can also be used to combine the flow from two different inlet ports or to alternate the flow. With this versatility, these valves are a way to simplify the controls in any system without needing more than one valve to make the necessary adjustments to the flow.
The flow pattern of the 3 way ball valve is an L type or a T pattern. The L shape allows for the media to come in one port and be directed out of either of the other two ports. The flow makes an L shape, which is why this is sometimes called a diverter valve.
The T-shape in a 3 way ball valve is used to combine flows from two inlets to a third outlet, but they can also function similar to the L pattern and act as a full diverter valve.
Choosing the right ball valve also includes selecting the material for the housing and internal components of the valve, including the seals, seats, and the wetted surface area.
