Angle crane - types and features

Corner taps are quite common valves, which are used in household communications, such as water supply and heating. Below we take a closer look at the varieties of these devices and their features.

General information

Besides the fact that the corner valves are shut-off valves, they perform the function of a corner fitting. Those. they are used where, as a result of the particular location of the pipeline, a turn at 90 degrees is required.

Of course, the main purpose of these devices is to shut off the flow of liquid or gas, for example, to carry out repairs to a plumbing fixture. You can use them to connect any plumbing, be it a faucet or a toilet cistern.

Externally, the valve looks like a corner fitting with a handle or lever. The latter may have a very different design, for example, the handle of the corner crane of the sample of the year 80 is made in the form of a plastic flywheel, but in modern devices the handle looks like a neat switch.

Types of angle cranes

In addition to the diameter and other technical characteristics, these valves differ in the following points:

Below is a detailed look at the features of all types of valves.

Device locking mechanism

Ball

Ball valves are the most common angle reinforcement at present. Constipation of this device is made in the form of a ball with a through hole. When the ball is turned with holes perpendicular to the body, the flow passage is closed.

The tightness of this mechanism is achieved by using elastic rings that fit snugly to the ball.

Among the advantages of this design are:

• Long service life due to the simplicity of the mechanism.
• Low price.
• Tightness in the closed state, so that these valves can be used for the pipeline.
• Ability to withstand high pressure.
• To fully open or close the passage, you need to rotate the lever only 90 degrees, which is very convenient.

Note! In gas pipelines a special gas valve is used, which is distinguished by improved tightness. Therefore, it can not be replaced by plumbing.

As for the shortcomings, these include the following points:

• Instructions on the use of ball valves requires its use only for the complete opening or closing of the passage, i.e. it cannot be used to regulate the flow, otherwise the mechanism will quickly deteriorate and the valve will begin to pass water.
• The device is not repaired, so when it fails, it must be replaced.

Since in most cases the task of the valves in question is to completely shut off the flow, it is the ball valves that are used for sanitary appliances, heating devices and gas pipelines.

Valve

Not so long ago, only valve taps were used everywhere. The principle of operation of their constipation is based on the use of a worm gear, which presses the stem with an elastic gasket to the saddle with a hole. As a result, the gasket closes the passage.

When rotating the handle-flywheel, the worm gear raises the rod and thereby opens the passage.

Among the advantages of such a product are:

• The ability to not only block the passage, but also to regulate the flow head.
• Ability to withstand high pressure;
• The ability to repair the locking mechanism with their own hands.

Along with the advantages of this device, there are quite a few disadvantages:

• As a result of the fact that the movable gasket is constantly in contact with water and a metal surface, it quickly wears out. This leads to depressurization of the constipation, and the device begins to pass water. True, you can replace the gasket yourself. As a rule, the kit includes an assembly drawing of an angle valve of a valve type, which shows how to disassemble the product and perform the replacement of parts.
• To fully open the valve, it is necessary to make several turns of the flywheel.
• Since the mechanism is more complex, it fails faster than ball valves.

For these reasons, recently valve taps are used only where it is necessary to regulate the flow. (See also the article Water pipes: features.)

Materials

Not only its cost, but also durability depends on the material from which the product is made.

Therefore, below we consider the main features of the most common materials:

• Brass and bronze are distinguished by the fact that they almost do not accumulate scale, so products made from these materials are the most durable.
• Stainless steel is a durable material, however, scale accumulates on it more strongly.
• Plastic - usually used with plastic piping. Despite the fact that plastic is less durable material than steel, such devices are quite durable.

Note! In the market you can find Chinese cranes made of silumin. Despite their cheapness, such a purchase can hardly be called profitable, since these products quickly fail.

Conclusion

Corner valves are widespread valves, and ball valves are the most popular. However, when purchasing a device, one should pay attention not only to the principle of operation of the locking mechanism, but also to the material from which it is made.

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