The ball valve is a ball-shaped in-line device with an orifice in the center that allows product to flow easily when oriented correctly. Flanged ball valves have mating connections or flanges that allow for quick and easy replacement. ASME regulations ensure interchangeability. The valves come in many configurations and are mostly used in industrial plumbing applications.
Based on the ball socket design, the ball valve is a ball-shaped in-line device with an orifice in the center. When oriented correctly, the ball valve allows product to flow easily. By grasping the handle and turning the ball perpendicular or sideways, an individual can stop the flow. Found in nearly every industrial setting, a flanged ball valve helps control the flow through any plumbing application. The flanged ball valve is similar to the standard ball valve, but has mating connections or flanges that allow for a damaged valve to be replaced quickly and easily.
For example, a flangeless valve would require an individual to manually cut the piping and then reconnect it with a new valve in place. This reconnection can introduce additional risks, as well as higher costs. In other words, some plumbing connections may require threads to be welded, welded, or machined on the pipe ends for threaded applications.
When replacing a flanged ball valve, an individual should look for bolted connections on both sides of the valve. Loosening and removing the bolts from the flanges will allow the new ball valve to replace the broken ball valve. The modular design of flanged ball valves contributes to their popularity, as a new flanged ball valve can be fitted directly in place of an old one. This ease of replacement is why flanged ball valves are commonly used when quick repairs are essential.
A variety of flanged ball valves are available to cover almost any application. There are regulations to govern the different sizes you may encounter. In the United States, for example, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) governs the regulations, or codes. These regulations ensure that one flanged ball valve has the same characteristics as another, even if made by different manufacturers. The fact that an ASME flanged ball valve can replace another of the same size increases interchangeability.
The valves come in many different configurations, such as the knobs on your kitchen sink, which are typically ball valves. These are generally found at a midpoint in a typical plumbing setup. The best application for a ball valve is to quickly and easily stop product from flowing through pipes or tubes, allowing for repair. A flanged ball valve has a variety of plumbing applications, mostly industrial, but has the simple operation of the non-flanged variety, which simply requires moving a handle a quarter turn. In this design, flanges on either side of the actual valve make replacing a broken valve relatively easy.
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