Threaded Ball valves can be installed correctly in just 7 Steps. Follow these considerations and steps for an easy and hassle free installation.
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VALVE ORIENTATION:
Ball valves may be installed in vertical or horizontal pipe runs, they are bi-directional therefore flow direction is not critical, however the best practice is to set up the valve handle to point in the direction of flow whenever possible. The valve stem orientation is not critical, however any deviation from vertical is a compromise. Installation upside down is not recommended because it can cause dirt to accumulate by the stem packing. The best practice is to install with the valve stem facing upwards whenever possible.
INSTALLATION STEPS
#1 Inspect the ball valve ports, seating surfaces and threads to ensure they are clean and free of foreign debris.
#2 Operate the valve from fully open to fully closed position.
#3 Ensure the threaded pipe connections to be threaded into the valve are accurately threaded, clean and free of foreign material or metal shavings.
#4 - Apply a high-quality pipe thread sealing compound or PTFE thread sealing tape following the manufactures application instructions to ensure a leak free pipe joint seal.
#5 Valve and piping must be in alignment to prevent cross-threading, the male threaded fitting needs to be aligned with the axis of the tapped hole. Maintaining proper pipe alignment during assembly eliminates unnecessary stress on the valve body. Support the valve and piping in alignment to prevent any unnecessary stresses on the valve body by connecting the pipe. Pipe supports must be capable of keeping the pipe in alignment and bearing the weight of the fittings, valves, pipe and its contents.
WARNING: Failure to properly support piping will void warranty and could result in structural failure and property damage
#6 When installing two-piece body ball valves always use two wrenches when making up pipe joints to these valves. Position one wrench on the valve end closest to the pipe joint being tightened and the other wrench onto the pipe to prevent transmitting torque through the valve body joint, between the valve body and tailpiece. This also prevents distortion of the internal parts of the valve. WARNING: Failure to follow this instruction will stress the body joint and may result in the leaking at the body joint.
TIP: Brass and bronze alloys are softer metals than steel, always use a smooth-jawed wrench on the valve end and turn the valve onto the pipe. Pipe Wrenches should only be used on pipe and fittings.
#7 Tighten until you can feel the joint starting to seat and the fitting is almost pointing in the desired direction. Then increase the tightening force a little if each attempt gives less movement, continue to tighten until you have proper alignment and you should have a sound joint. If the movement stops suddenly, you have probably bottomed out against the stop in the valve body. CAUTION: Never back off a connection to achieve proper alignment.
Loosening valve, pipe and fitting connections will compromise the integrity of the seal and contribute to leakage and failure.
WARNING: Do not over tighten the valve onto the pipe, as it is possible to distort the internal parts of the valve and or cause a stress fracture in the valve body. As a general guideline, after hand-tight engagement, tighten an additional 1-½ to 3 full turns for sizes up to 1, for sizes 1-¼" and larger 1 to 2-½" full turns, you should have between 3-1/2 and 6 threads engaged. Thread engagement outside of this range may indicate either under or over tightening of the joint or out of tolerance threads.
With experience you will now when the tightening force feels right and you will know when to stop tightening before you damage the fitting or valve.
SYSTEM DESIGN
The required approvals & certifications, pressure & temperature ratings, suitability of the valve component material, valve body and trim including the seats and seals are solely the responsibility of the system designer. Valves should be installed in piping systems that comply with the applicable portions of the ASME B31 standards. Special considerations may have to be taken with respect to pipeline expansions and contractions and the media expansion and contractions within the piping system.
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OPERATION
The valve handle is marked showing proper rotation direction for ON and OFF positions. Rotation is clockwise for OFF (closed) and counter clockwise for ON (open). You can control the flow by moving the lever between 0° and 90°. A partially open ball valve, however, can leave the PTFE seats on either end of the ball susceptible to deformity from uneven pressure. One advantage to quarter-turn ball valves is that they can be opened or closed quickly, the disadvantage is that this makes water hammer more likely. For this reason, its best to turn the lever on a ball valve slowly.
INSPECTION & MAINTENANCE
#1 - Other than cycling of the valve from open to closed position periodically. Inspection and preventative maintenance are not required.
#2 Normal stem packing wear can be compensated for by tightening the packing nut. Tighten the packing nut clockwise in 1/8 turn increments until observed leakage stops.
Over tightening will increase the torque required to operate the valve and result in excessive wear on the packing.
#3 - Do not repack valves under pressure. Repair or replacement of two-piece ball valves internal parts is not recommended. Damage can occur to the body and tailpiece during disassembly that would make the valve inoperable.
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Source: istock
There are many types of valves used in industrial and commercial applications. Ball valves are quarter-turn valves that use a ball-shaped disk to control the flow of liquid or gas. The ball has a hole in the center that aligns with the flow of the liquid or gas when the valve is open and blocks the flow when the valve is closed.
Ball valves are designed for on/off applications and can be used in a manual or automated system. They are considered to be very versatile and reliable valves. Industrial ball valves are often used in applications with high pressures and temperatures, including oil and gas, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and power generation. To ensure that ball valves are working properly, it is essential to ensure that they are installed correctly.
Installing a ball valve is not difficult, but one should know a few things from the ball valve manufacturer before getting started. This guide will walk through the entire ball valve installation process, from start to finish, so that the ball valve is installed with confidence. Follow our step-by-step guide to learn everything there is to know about installing a ball valve and becoming an expert in no time at all.
Pre-Installation Checklist
Here we will discuss the pre-ball valve installation instructions that help to make the installation process even smoother.
Source: istock
Review that the valve fits its intended purpose before unpacking it. The valve should comply with the system design, pressure, and temperature requirements. It should be appropriate for the liquids it will be carrying. Make sure the flow directions are apparent and the lines are uncluttered. The site of the valve should also be determined during system design to ensure that it is easy to operate, maintain, and repair. To control stress on the valves and the pipework, the valves should be adequately supported.
It is recommended not to remove the valves from their packaging until they are ready to be installed. This will protect the seals and the seat. This protects the valve from dirt and debris that could eventually lead to seat leakage. If the valve is stored for longer, keep it in a cool and ventilated place. Cast steel valves (Black finish) may need additional oiling to prevent corrosion.
Equipment and Tools Needed for installation.
- Copper Pipe
- Ball Valve
- Adjustable Spanner
- Pipe Cutting Tool
- Internal & External Pipe Deburring Tool
Installation Steps Of Ball Valve
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- Ball valves can also be lodged in any direction. In order to reduce the load induced by the actuator pulling away, it is possible to install the drive shaft vertically in larger sizes. Vertical installation is a requirement for electric actuators.
- Before installation, review the ball valve assembly material of the body, seat, and ball. Verify that the valve body, seat, and ball are free from any damage caused by transportation or storage.
- Confirm that the pressure rating of the valve is equal to the application condition.
- Confirm that the temperature rating of the valve matches the application conditions.
- Confirm that the valve thread (BSP or NPT, socket welding ANSI), flange(ANSI 150, ANSI 300, etc.), and solvent weld (BLP Schedule 40) are in line with the application needs.
- Before installing the ball valve, complete all welding tasks. Also, ensure that the flange is at the ambient temperature.
- Before installing the pipe, ensure it is free of welding remnants, rust, or other trash. If necessary, wash the pipe with mild detergent or water.
- Check that the ball valve is not in conflict with the flange.
- To reduce the load on the piping, support the valve wherever necessary (significant for larger valves and actuator assemblies).
- It will be required in metal pipework for two and 3 way ball valves (BVS/BVF8, BVF8, BLS3) to allow the valve to be removed for maintenance. A pipe union can also be installed. For maintenance, three and 2-piece threaded, flanged ball valves can be removed without affecting the pipework. Before proceeding, understanding how does a 3 way ball valve work will greatly aid in installation and maintenance.
- To seal the valve and flanges, tighten each bolt one by one.
- After the installation is completed, it is recommended to operate the valve multiple times to ensure it is not invaded and rotates through its entire 90-degree operation.
To Check Valve And Tube
Ball valves can also be installed in any orientation or angle, providing enough space to allow for 90-degree operation. The best valves perform when installed upright.
For Ball Valves With Threaded Connections
Make sure the fitting is the right size for the pipe. Use a compound to attach the threaded line to a vice. Attach the valve to the pipe using spanner flats. To release stress, connect supports the valves on both ends.
For Ball Valves With Compression Ends
Ensure that the fitting fits the pipe correctly and that the pipe has been cut with straight ends. Slide the pipe onto the fitting by unscrewing the olive and nut. Place the pipe in the fitting until it reaches the pipe stop. Then, slide the olive and nut back on the fitting and compress the appropriate manually until the pipe stops rotating. Place spanner flats next to the pipe joint.
Field Testing
- Ball valves can hold only rated pressures. The valve can be damaged if the pressure is exceeded in the sealed position.
- The channel can experiment with the ball in its open position up to the hydrostatic valve stress.
- Ball valve seat design matters. Foreign material can cause seat leakage. Turn the valve between 10 and 15 degrees to flush the seat with high-velocity fluid. Close the valve and repeat if required.
- Leakage of the seat can be caused by a rotational shift between the ball and the body. As needed, modify the closing stop of the actuator/gearbox.
Operation
- Operate the valve only at pressures below its working pressure.
- Inspect the actuator procedure if the valve is stuck in an open or closed position. To locate faults, terminate the actuator from the valve and operate it manually. If necessary, remove and inspect valves for unfamiliar objects.
- The inner valve parts can be damaged by excessive torque generated from the actuator.
Maintenance
- If the valve is not being used often, cycle it at least one time a month.
- Before maintaining the valve, reduce the pressure of the system.
- If you want to clear the pipework, reverse the process of installation.
- Remove the end plates and replace the seats and seals of the valve. Keep the ball in its closed position. Carefully push the end seats out and the ball. To avoid any damage to the glossy surface of the ball, use a soft cloth to clean it. Move the drive stem upwards from the cavity to disclose the stem seals. Install the stem seals, ball, seats, and end plates. Only use approved lubricants on the seals. As per the installation procedure, test and re-fit.
- Please refer to product instructions on how to operate.
The Benefits Of Having A Fully Installed Ball Valve
Source: istock
A fully installed ball valve can be a great safety feature for residential and commercial environments. For gas or water lines, its essential to have a fully functioning ball valve on each pipe. This will ensure no potential leak, even if something happens to the main valve. It also makes it easier to control the pressure in the pipes, which can help save money on energy bills. A fully installed ball valve also allows control of the temperature in industrial and residential areas, which can be especially important in a room with cold winters.
It also allows quick control of fluid flow, preventing scalding or flooding. Ball valves are also crucial in emergencies, as they can quickly close off an area to limit the spread of fire or flood damage. Additionally, ball valves can shut off waste lines, ensuring no waste is flowing. While there are many benefits to having a fully installed ball valve, its also essential to remember that it can cost more upfront than a standard threaded-valve system.
Why Expert Installation is Crucial?
Source: istock
When it comes to installing a ball valve, there are many factors to consider. One of the most important is ensuring that an expert does the installation. While it may be tempting to install the valve DIY, this can often lead to problems. Expert industrial valve manufacturers can help ensure that the valve is installed correctly and will function properly.
There are many reasons why expert installation is so necessary. First, experts have the knowledge and experience required to install the valve properly. They know how to properly connect the valve to the piping and troubleshoot any problems that may arise. Additionally, experts can also provide valuable advice on how to maintain and operate the valve. This can help prolong the valves life and ensure that it continues to operate correctly for many years.
If considering installing a ball valve, be sure to find a reliable and reputable company to do the job with proper instructions. Ask for references from past clients to see how satisfied they are with the work. Also, be sure to request any quotes in writing just so there will be no surprises later.
Bottomline
This guide provides ball valve installation directions, explanations, and tips on the different steps involved in installing ball valves. This guide is intended for those installing ball valves for the first time. It is important to note that all the steps involved in the installation process must be followed correctly to ensure a successful installation. Also, contact us for more information on the installation process or purchasing ball valve.
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