Efficiency, productivity, and long term results rely on the parts and equipment you use. In industries like gas and oil, manufacturing, and many others, a key component is valves.
When it comes to valves, there are more than a few to choose from. Each one has a unique design and specific purpose. This means they all do different jobs.
Two common valves you may encounter are the globe valve and ball valve. If you aren’t familiar with these, you may wonder what makes them different.
Keep reading to learn more about the globe valve vs ball valve and how each is used.
Ball Valves
Ball valves have a bead shape. The center hole is the same size as the pipe.
It features a pivotal and perforating ball inside the structure, which controls the flow. When the hole inside lines up with the flow, it’s “open,” and the valve’s handle will be flat in alignment with the direction of the flow.
However, when turned 90-degrees, the valve will close. You will know the valve is closed when the handle is perpendicular to the pipe’s direction.
Ball valves are best for applications that require you to turn them on and off with no drop in pressure. For shutoff applications, ball valves are usually the preferred option.
Globe Valves
While ball and globe valves are alike in many ways, the biggest difference is how the flow of material is started and stopped. While the ball valve uses a ball to stop the flow, the globe valve uses a stem.
If you need to regulate the flow of something, a globe valve works best.
For decades, the globe valve was considered the standard option for control applications. They have a stem that moves inside the valve allowing the flow to start and stop.
You will find these in chill and hot water coils, with larger versions controlling the flow in chillers.
The biggest limitation of a globe valve is that the close-off rating is often lower than some other valves. This is especially problematic in larger globe valves.
Ball Valve vs Globe Valve: What’s Right for Your Application?
Choosing between ball valves and globe valves depends on the intended application.
A ball valve is a durable control valve that can perform well after several cycles and that will close securely, even after long periods of being unused.
These qualities make it a better choice than a globe valve for any type of shutoff application. While this is true, ball valves don’t have the finer control for throttling applications that globe valves do.
Once you know what valve is right for your application, you can find options at anythingflows.com.
Globe Valve vs Ball Valve: Now You Know What to Choose
If you are deciding between a globe valve vs ball valve, use the information above to determine which one best suits your application. You can also speak to valve professionals if you need help choosing the right one.
Did you find the information here helpful? Are you searching for other beneficial resources and guides? If so, be sure to check out some of the other blogs on our website.