Stop valves shut off liquid flow in pipes and are often used as safety features. Gate valves do not restrict flow but take longer to move, while globe valves always shut off flow quickly. Both types have different designs and are commonly used in piping systems. Gate valves have a solid piece that blocks flow, while globe valves have two chambers that disrupt the speed and pressure of the liquid.
A stop valve is any type of valve system that completely shuts off the flow of liquid through a pipe. There are many styles of stop valves, but two of the most common are gate valves and globe valves. Gate valves do not restrict flow when not in use, but they take longer to move into position and are more likely to leak. A globe valve will always shut off the flow, but it will move into place very quickly. Both of these valve types are common on piping systems of all shapes and sizes.
Most of the time a shut off valve is needed as a safety feature. These valves completely shut off flow of any kind through the system, often to avert a crisis before it can get out of hand. As a result, these valves are usually close to important machinery or a human workstation. A shutoff valve may have a hand crank or may be incorporated into an automated system. Manual shutoff valves typically have a brightly colored screw-on handle, the type common in many piping systems.
Since any valve design that completely blocks flow is a shutoff valve, there are many different designs and styles. Even so, gate valve and globe valve are two of the more common types. These valves look a lot alike from the outside, so it’s often hard to tell them apart. Both have threaded openings for connecting to pipes, a bulbous central area that holds the valve, and a long steam that holds the screw mechanism. Inside, they are built quite differently.
A gate valve typically has a solid piece running up and down the pipe that completely blocks the flow. When the gate is up, there is no restriction and fluid moves freely through the valve. When the gate is down, the blocked area is slightly larger than the opening. This is why this type of valve has a bulbous body; the gate is slightly larger than the tube to ensure a proper seal.
A globe valve has two chambers, one at the bottom of the valve and one at the top. The liquid moves into the lower chamber and through an opening at the top. This opening leads to the upper chamber, where it exits the valve. This type of valve creates a disruption in the speed and pressure of the moving liquid even when it is not in use. Consequently, this stop valve is not used in places with tight tolerances. When closed, a plug descends from the top of the upper chamber and closes the hole.
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