Something you should consider before buying gate valves

Gate valves can be controlled by turning the ring knob to open and close and flow, and ball valves can be opened and closed quickly and with excellent tightness. This is a major consideration for purchasers to choose slab gate valve or ball valve. Besides the following criteria can be considered before selecting between a ball valve and gate valve:

1. Ports: A gate valve has 2 ports, while a ball valve can have more than 2 ports.

2. Flow Capacity: A gate valve can provide larger flow capacity than a ball valve as they are typically offered in larger diameters.

3. Opening and closing speed: A ball valve is better suited for applications that require faster opening and closing speed or during emergencies due to its quarter turn on/off operation. A gate valve requires more than a 360° turn, making it slower than a ball valve to operate.

4. Sealing: A ball valve provides a tight seal and has complete shut off characteristics as compared to a gate valve. Therefore, ball valves are better suited for applications like natural gas where a proper seal long-term is important.

5. Pressure: Both ball valves and gate valves are suitable for low pressure applications. However, for high pressure applications a gate valve is better suited. This is due to the fast opening/closing of the ball valve that may cause a water hammer.

6. Cost: A ball valve is generally more expensive than a gate valve of the same specifications. However, a ball valve is typically more durable and requires less maintenance compared to a gate valve. So, a ball valve may be more economical long-term.

7. Connection: The choice of connection to the pipe is an important factor for both valves. To learn more about this important subject, read our Ball Valve Connection Types technical article.