What is a ball valve?

A ball valve is like a "rotating switch" in a water pipe. Its core component is a sphere with a hole in the middle, and the flow of water is controlled by rotating this sphere.

● Core Structure and Principle

A ball valve has a sphere-like ball inside. A through-hole is drilled in the center of this sphere.
Open state: When you move the handle so that the hole in the sphere is perfectly aligned with the direction of the pipe, the liquid or gas can flow through smoothly.
Closed state: When you rotate the handle 90 degrees, the side of the sphere without a hole faces the pipe opening, completely blocking the fluid like a wall.

● Main Features

Fast operation: It belongs to the "quick open and quick close" type of valve. You only need to rotate it a quarter turn (90 degrees) to open or close it, unlike some valves that require several turns.
Good sealing: The sphere and the sealing seat fit together very tightly. In homes or factories, it is usually used to ensure a "drip-free" seal.
Low resistance: When fully open, there are almost no obstacles inside the pipe, just like a regular straight pipe, and the flow rate is not significantly affected.
Sturdy and durable: This type of valve is not easily damaged, and even after long periods of inactivity, it can still rotate smoothly and is not prone to jamming.

● Common Application Scenarios

Because ball valves are both reliable and easy to use, they appear in every corner of our lives and production:
Home renovation: The main water shut-off valve in your home, heating pipes, or the small yellow valve next to the gas stove are mostly ball valves.
Car washing and gardening: Many water gun connectors or outdoor faucets also use this simple switch structure.
Industrial transportation: It is one of the most common control elements in pipelines transporting oil, natural gas, or chemical raw materials.

● Why do people love it?

Compared to other types of valves, the structure of a ball valve is more intuitive. You can immediately tell whether the valve is open or closed by looking at the direction of the handle (usually, the handle parallel to the pipe means open, and perpendicular means closed). This design is very user-friendly and reduces the risk of misoperation.