Manual, pneumatic or electric - which 3-way ball valve is the right one?
Sometimes a hand lever is enough, sometimes automation is required. Fortunately, we have all variants on offer.
Manual 3-way ball valves are the classic solution. Robust, direct and without additional control electronics. Perfect if you only need to switch or mix occasionally.
But if your system is to be remote-controlled or integrated into a process, you can hardly avoid an automatic 3-way ball valve:
- Pneumatic 3-way ball valves Ideal for explosive environments or when compressed air is available anyway. Fast, reliable and safe.
- Electric 3-way ball valves Perfect choice if you need precise control or no compressed air line is available.
We stock 3-way ball valves with actuators from well-known manufacturers - and often deliver directly from stock.
Material question: stainless steel, brass or something completely different?
The material of your 3-way ball valve determines the service life, chemical resistance and, last but not least, the approval for certain industries.
Stainless steel 3-way ball valves Corrosion-resistant, hygienic and robust. Ideal for food, pharmaceuticals, chemical media or aggressive environments.
Brass 3-way ball valves are often the first choice in building services, for water, air or oil. Durable, easy to process and often less expensive.
Other materials Special materials are also used depending on the application. If in doubt, simply ask - we will be happy to advise you on the material.
3-way ball valve: L-bore vs. T-bore - what's the difference?
This is often the key to the success of your system. Because not every 3-way ball valve fulfils the same task. The inner bore of the ball determines whether your medium is mixed, divided or only diverted.
L-bore (90° switching): Ideal for switching between two sources or two outlets. The medium can flow from connection A to B or C - but never to both at the same time. Perfect if you need to switch back and forth between two lines.
T-bore (mixing or splitting): All three connections are connected here. You can mix, divide or both feed and withdraw media. Often indispensable, especially in heating, cooling or mixing systems.
Sounds complicated? But it's not. Imagine switching between two water sources or mixing hot and cold water - that's exactly how these taps work. And if you're unsure: Our data sheets show exactly which hole is installed. Or simply ask us.
3-way flanged ball valves for higher pressures and nominal sizes
For larger pipe diameters or high pressures, 3-way flanged ball valves are recommended. These are clamped between two flanges and provide a particularly tight and stable connection.
We offer them in DN dimensions that also cover demanding industrial applications.
Why a 3-way ball valve is indispensable
A classic ball valve switches the flow - open or closed. A 3-way ball valve goes further: it connects several lines together and thus controls flows flexibly. Typical areas of application are
- Chemical industry - precise dosing of aggressive media
- Food technology - hygienic media routing with stainless steel
- Energy and heating technology - regulating hot and cold water circuits
- Mechanical engineering - efficiently diverting lubricants or coolants
The special feature: Several paths can be controlled with just one valve, which saves space, costs and installation effort.