Each apartment has a water supply system. To ensure normal flow and mixing of hot and cold flow, a ball valve or valve is used. With proper installation and operation, they can protect against water loss, and you can not worry that flood the neighbors in your absence.
Ball valves
What it is? Ball valves for water were invented more than a century ago in Europe and have been in operation for quite some time in Russia. The design of the valve is based on the flow shut-off mechanism by means of a sphere located inside the body, in the body of which there is a through hole. When the lumen is turned perpendicular to the movement of water, the ball blocks it, and when the hole is installed in parallel, the movement opens.
Ball valves, having a rather large size, imply the installation of a locking mechanism on special supports. In cranes of relatively small sizes, the sphere is installed in a floating manner.
Ball valves have a number of advantages that provide them with widespread use in various fields of consumption:
- relatively small sizes do not interfere with being reliable when operating in various conditions;
- simplicity of design, as well as simple installation;
- practically do not corrode;
- completely prevent water leakage;
- significant durability.
Kinds
Ball valves, depending on the installation and mounting method, are divided into several types:
- For pipes with a diameter of less than 4.5 cm (gas pipeline, water supply and heating), coupling cranes are used.
- In the oil industry, large diameter systems are used to drive raw materials. Here, valves with flange type of connection are used as stop valves. The installation of such a device requires the use of cushioning materials to achieve the necessary tightness.
- The fitting models are very convenient. They are used in pipelines, where they often have to be removed and mounted.
- In places where it is not possible to install removable cranes, a welded valve is mounted by welding.
Mounting Features
Adhering to a number of rules when installing ball valves, you can avoid unpleasant breakdowns during operation. First of all, experts advise you to choose the right place to install the crane. At the same time, it should not interfere, and it is also worth considering the free movement of the handle. The diameters of the device and the connected pipes must necessarily be identical.
It is necessary to install the valve, always being guided in the direction of flow of the liquid or gas (it is indicated by an arrow on the body of the valve). After installation, check for leaks. To do this, wipe the connection points with a dry rag and supply water. When the liquid goes, a dry hand is drawn along all joints - if there is no leak, the valve is shut off.
Application rules
Like any other equipment, with careful consideration and proper operation, the ball valve can last quite a long time. When using such cranes, in order to increase the service life, some nuances should be observed:
- the design of the device has already been calculated for all parameters and characteristics, so do not lengthen or shorten the handles, as well as make other changes;
- the thread size on the tap and on the connected pipes must be the same;
- when tightening, it is forbidden to exert too much pressure, since cracks in the system case may appear;
Experts recommend installing an additional mechanical filter in the form of a mesh during installation - it will help to avoid the failure of the taps and the used measuring devices when debris enters the pipeline.