Ball Valves Key Terms

Learn some ball valves key terms to pick the right valve for your application

By J. Simonetta

Ball valves are so named because the valve closure mechanism is ball-shaped. When turned by its handle, the ball valve's hole is moved in line with the flow to open, or moved out of line from the flow to close. The handle of the valve is lined up with the opening in the ball valve so that the user knows where the opening is in relation to the valve's outlet. Ball valves are popular because they're very durable.

Quarter turn valve

Quarter turn valves require only a quarter turn to go from fully open to fully closed. Some quarter turn valves include the plug valve and the butterfly valve.
Try: See examples of quarter turn valves, including ball valves, at Flowserve Corporation.

Trunnion ball valve

Trunnion ball valves are typically used in large diameter and/or high pressure applications. They are mechanically anchored at the top and bottom to withstand these higher pressures.
Try: Plast-O-Matic Valves provides a diagram and explanation of how Trunnion ball valves work.

Reduced port ball valve

Reduced port ball valves have holes that are smaller than the source pipe diameter. As a result, the flow is reduced by passing through the ball valve.
Try: William E. Williams Valve Corporation shows several examples of reduced port ball valves.

Full port ball valve

Full port ball valves have holes that are the same diameter as the source pipe. Unlike the reduced port ball valve, full port ball valves don't impede flow when fully open. These valves can often be identified on sight because the oversize ball required results in a large bulge in the valve.
Try: See an example of a full port ball valve at Kings Supply Company.

V port ball valve

The V port valve is so named because it has either a V-shaped seat or a V-shaped valve. This shape allows finer flow control than is possible from standard ball valves.
Try: Learn more about V port valves and view examples at ThomasNet.

Three-way and multi-port ball valves

Three way ball valves have either "L" or "T" shaped ports through them. This allows different flow configurations for three-way junctions. Multi-port ball valves are designed for four-way (or more) applications.
Try: See examples and descriptions of three-way and multi-port ball valves at Inline Industries.