Collection:Pneumatic 3-Way PVC Ball Valves

Explore Tameson’s wide range of 3-way PVC pneumatic ball valves from various global manufacturers. 3-way PVC ball valves with pneumatic actuators are used to control the flow of liquids and gass... Read more

Pneumatic 3-Way PVC Ball Valves

Pneumatic 3-Way PVC Ball Valves

Explore Tameson’s wide range of 3-way PVC pneumatic ball valves from various global manufacturers. 3-way PVC ball valves with pneumatic actuators are used to control the flow of liquids and gasses remotely. Pneumatic actuators control ball valves by converting compressed air energy to mechanical motion. The rotating ball is controlled and turned by a pneumatic actuator. For larger valves, pneumatically actuated ball valves are more reliable and cost-effective compared to electric ball valves.

A 3-way PVC pneumatic ball valve has three ports. They are available in two design types: L-port and T-port. This refers to the bore design in the ball, which is the media flow path. With a 3-way ball valve T-port or L-port, it is possible to mix, distribute, or divert the media flow. A 3-way T-port ball valve can be used for mixing media from two inlets into a single outlet or for distributing one inlet to two outlets. By changing the position of the handle (90 degrees or 180 degrees), you can change the circuit function. The 3-way L-port ball valve is designed for flow direction control. The L-port valve has a 90-degree bore inside of the ball, hence the name L-port. An example of an application is to have two inputs from separate tanks and one output, and you want to only use one of the inputs but always the one output. L-port ball valves can have 90 degrees or 180-degree handles. Ones with a 180-degree turn allow you to disconnect both inputs from the output, allowing for no flow. Therefore, it is important to know your bore design to ensure your desired media flow, as the ports can be in different positions. The pressure inlet for 3-way pneumatic ball valves is typically on the center borehole to avoid leakage unless defined otherwise in the product specifications.

PVC, a type of plastic, is lightweight, strong, and durable, giving it long service life. A pneumatic PVC ball valve is often a cost-effective alternative to its metal housing (brass or stainless steel) counterpart as long as it is resistant to the media and the pressure/temperature range is suitable for PVC. A PVC ball valve with an actuator can be commonly seen in water management and irrigation applications. It is suitable for corrosive media like seawater, most acids and bases, salt solutions, and organic solvents. However, PVC should not be used for aromatic or chlorinated hydrocarbon media applications. The temperature range is from -15 to 60 degrees C (5 to 140 degrees F), and it has a lower pressure rating when compared to a brass or stainless steel housing.