Why Do Globe Valves Use Handwheels And Not Straight Handles?

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Globe valves are used almost everywhere; any time you need to turn a valve to shut off water in a gradual way, you're most likely using a globe valve. These valves allow you to slow down the flow of a liquid that is often running with a lot of pressure behind it. In other words, the liquid will flow out fast if you don't throttle it somehow. Globe valves differ from others like gate valves in that there's no either/or with a globe valve; you can turn the flow off in varying degrees. Globe valves typically have a round handwheel on the stem as the main control. A handwheel is perfectly suited to these valves, unlike smaller but less useful handles.

Better Control in High-Pressure Situations

When you have a high-pressure liquid that you need to stop, jamming a gate down into the middle of it isn't the best idea. If the liquid's pressure is sufficiently high, the water can slam into the gate and possibly throw it out of alignment over time. With a handwheel that lowers a valve down into the liquid gradually, you give the liquid a chance to flow around the lowering block and gradually taper off. It's a little more gentle. But best of all, that handwheel gives you more control because each turn lowers or raises the plug by a bit -- there's no risk of suddenly shutting the whole thing off when you didn't intend to.

Smoother Hand Switching

For larger valves that have larger, two-hand handwheels, the round style allows for smoother and more efficient hand switching. Handles, whether you're pulling one down or twisting it around the stem in a circular motion, require pulling at times and pushing at others. You constantly have to change the force and direction. A wheel, though, allows you to pull with one hand, pull in the same direction with the other, and so on, again and again. This is a smoother movement that doesn't require you to constantly shift force or weight.

A handle might seem like a more logical part given its simplicity and its faster travel time from "fully open" to "fully closed." However, when you want better control over how the valve closes, the slower, longer path that a handwheel gives you is a more suitable option. If you need to put together a custom globe valve, get a handwheel that gives you the leverage you need to work the valve efficiently.

Contact a company that sells globe valves like NEWCO Cast Globe Valves for more information.

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