The heating system requires periodic maintenance. For this, shutoff valves are installed, including a ball valve for heating. What types exist, the principle of work and reviews - we will consider all these issues in more detail.
Design Features
Ball valve for heating is not difficult design. Due to this, he was widely used. The set of valves includes:
- Ball. It is made from high-carbon steel. It has a polished surface. Achieved by diamond grinding. A smooth surface prevents the accumulation of small impurities, debris and damage to fittings.
- Body. It is made of polypropylene, brass, cast iron, steel, bronze. The quality of the metal used for production is the guarantee of a long service life of the reinforcement.
- Detachable housing nut. It is produced from the same metal as the main body.
- Stock. It includes rubber and teflon seals.
- Stem seal washer, stem seal adjustment nut, screw.
- A pen.
As you can see, the ball valve for heating has a simple design. Over time, it may be necessary to replace the rubber seal. Removable composite models make this easy to do. Soldered polypropylene will have to be dismantled by a specialist.
Features of work
Ball valve for heating can only be used as shutoff valves. Some are used as a regulatory device. But if you set the middle position, then the ball itself in the tap will lose surface smoothness over time, and this will significantly reduce its service life.
It should be understood that the heating system involves not only shut-off valves, but also bypass, air exhaust. Only such a set will ensure uninterrupted operation of heating.
Device benefits
The popularity of stop valves of such a plan was obtained due to the following advantages:
- The ability to completely shut off the flow of coolant. This allows you to repair radiators without completely turning off the heating.
- Simplicity of design and installation.
- Wide range of.
- Low price.
- Reliability and durability. If you buy high-quality equipment and operate correctly, the service life of these devices is at least 10 years. The housing is not susceptible to corrosion.
The disadvantages include the recommendation for use as control valves.
Classifications
According to 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: pass-through, angular, tees. The first is characterized by two branches. As for angular, the nozzles are at an angle relative to each other. Tees have three elements, which allows you to redirect the flow of coolant.
- By the control method: electric, pneumatic, manual.
- Throughput: full bore (up to 100%), partial bore (up to 50%), standard (70-80%).
- By type of installation: coupling, flange, nipple, welded.
Let us consider in more detail the latest classification.
Types of ball valves for installation
Each model has its own device and connection features:
- Muftovy. Mounted using couplings that have tapered or cylindrical threads. These ball valves for heating systems are divided into: monolithic (one-piece housing), two-part (common type), three-part (the best option, since there is the possibility of replacing gaskets). Recommended for systems with pipes up to 45 mm in diameter. The operating pressure of heating should not exceed 16 bar, and the temperature up to 100˚C. Compact, lightweight.
- Flanged. Mounted with optional flanges. Subdivided into: direct-flow, passage, angular, mixing. Recommended for systems with operating temperatures above 100 ° C and pressures from 16 bar. Differ in rather big dimensions, the increased weight.
- Fitting. Installation is carried out using a nipple and a union nut. The crane has a threaded connection on both nozzles. Withstands operating temperatures up to 200 ° C.
- Weldable. It can be both polypropylene and steel cranes. The disadvantage is complicated 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 installation. Therefore, you should carefully consider the selection of devices.
Marking
Ball valves for heating systems have a digital and letter designation:
- KSh - ball valve.
- Letter designations: M (coupling), (flange), (union), (through passage).
- Letter designation: (electric drive), Mon (pneumatic drive), if there is no designation - manual control.
- DN XXX - diameter of the passage. For example, DN 1 (1/2) inch.
- PN XXX - working pressure.
- XX - characterizes the model for resistance to work and environment.
After reading the markings, you can easily choose the desired option.
Selection Guidelines
When buying, you should pay attention to the following indicators:
- The 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 passage of 40 mm or an outer diameter of 46 mm will fit it.
- Operating pressure. For heating systems, a parameter with a margin is always selected. Recommended value from 20 bar.
- Manufacturer. It is recommended to give preference to Russian or European manufacturers. Chinese manufacturers use silumin for such devices, which is not reliable and resistant to aggressive environments.
- Body material. The most reliable are brass products. They are recommended for heating systems. There are many fakes on the market, so you should request a certificate for the product. And also examine the appearance of the product. If it has sagging and other visible defects, this should alert.
- In the inner space, consider the locking ball. If it has a smooth mirror surface without defects, then this is a guarantee of long service life.
- Cost. Ball valves for heating, the price of which is much lower than the average market, most likely, will also turn out to be a low-quality fake. Their cost starts from 500 rubles.
- Handle material. It is advisable to choose a metal one. Plastic is a brittle material and eventually becomes unusable.
- Check locking mechanism. It should effortlessly close and open.
Reviews
According to numerous consumer feedback, the Bugatti company has established itself in the domestic market. It produces high-quality ball valves for heating. The price for them is quite high - about a thousand rubles. But the service life of such a device reaches several tens of years.
A lot of negativity about Chinese fakes. Therefore, 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 original high-quality stop valves. Then, during operation, you can avoid trouble with the leakage of the system.