The 3-way ball valve diverts, distributes or mixes media with a single quarter turn – without piping up several separate shut-off valves. Bore geometry (L or T), material (stainless steel or brass), connection (threaded or flanged) and actuation determine both function and service life in your system. Fergo stocks over 250 models from DN8 to DN100 – manual, pneumatic or electric. As part of our industrial ball valve range, this category supplies the right version for plant engineering, HVAC, water supply and process industries.
What is a 3-way ball valve?
A 3-way ball valve is a quarter-turn valve with three ports ...
The 3-way ball valve diverts, distributes or mixes media with a single quarter turn – without piping up several separate shut-off valves. Bore geometry (L or T), material (stainless steel or brass), connection (threaded or flanged) and actuation determine both function and service life in your system. Fergo stocks over 250 models from DN8 to DN100 – manual, pneumatic or electric. As part of our industrial ball valve range, this category supplies the right version for plant engineering, HVAC, water supply and process industries.
What is a 3-way ball valve?
A 3-way ball valve is a quarter-turn valve with three ports and a drilled ball that diverts, distributes or mixes media with a 90° rotation. It replaces several 2-way valves, switches without leakage and runs virtually maintenance-free. Typical functions are switching, distributing and mixing in pipelines for liquids, gases and neutral media.
L-port or T-port: choosing the switching logic
The functional heart of the valve is the ball bore. It defines which switching positions are possible – and therefore the entire flow logic in the network. We supply both versions with reduced or full bore, depending on the required Kvs value.
Bore type | Switching function | Typical use | Available versions |
|---|---|---|---|
L-port | Always connects two of three ports, the third stays closed. Switch A→B or A→C with a 90° turn. | Diversion, bypass, switching between two consumers or sources | Threaded, flanged PN16/PN25, pneumatic, electric |
T-port | Connects all three ports or links the centre port to both sides. Mixing and distributing in one valve. | Mixing valve (two inlets → one outlet), distributor (one inlet → two outlets) | Threaded, flanged PN16/PN25, stainless & brass |
Stainless steel or brass 3-way ball valve?
Stainless steel 1.4408 (shot-blasted) is the first choice for aggressive media, temperatures up to +180 °C, pressures up to 63 bar and for hygiene or food requirements. Nickel-plated brass is economical for water, air and neutral media up to +150 °C and 25 bar. The microbial suitability of materials in contact with drinking water is governed by DVGW worksheet W270. Check media compatibility in advance with our resistance tool.
Connection types: threaded and flanged
Threaded 3-way ball valves with internal threads to ISO 228-1 (BSP) or ISO 7-1 (Rc) are compact and quick to install – ideal for DN8 to DN65. Flanged 3-way ball valves to EN 1092-1 suit larger nominal sizes up to DN100 and higher pressure classes in process industries.
- Nominal size: DN8 (¼") to DN100 (4")
- Connection: internal thread (ISO 228-1 / ISO 7-1) or flange EN 1092-1, PN10–PN40, also ANSI
- Body & ball: stainless steel 1.4408 or nickel-plated brass
- Seal: PTFE + 15% GF, temperature range −25 °C to +180 °C
Automation: pneumatic & electric
For automated systems, 3-way ball valves can be combined with pneumatic or electric quarter-turn actuators. The actuator mounts to the standardised interface per ISO 5211, with NAMUR-compliant accessory mounting. Pneumatic ball valves are available double-acting or single-acting / spring-return (NC), with a 90° run time typically under 1 s. Electric versions with the J4C actuator operate at 24 V–230 V AC/DC, IP67, with position feedback and manual override. Many manual models are ISO 5211-prepared and can be retrofitted – we deliver the unit fully assembled and tested.
Applications & selection guide
3-way ball valves control media wherever flows are distributed, diverted or mixed:
- Process & chemical industry – distributing and mixing chemical media in stainless steel 1.4408
- HVAC / cooling – three-way control in heating and cooling circuits
- Water supply & drinking water – versions with backflow protection per EN 1717
- Food & pharma – stainless steel bodies, PTFE seals
- Machine building & mobile hydraulics – bypass control, oil distribution
- Power & energy – flanged models for higher pressure classes
The right choice depends on medium, operating temperature, pressure, bore (L or T), material and required actuation.
Why Fergo for your 3-way ball valve?
We stock over 250 models, with orders placed by 3 p.m. shipped the same day. On request we provide material certificates to EN 10204-3.1 and further certificates. The product configurator lets you filter by nominal size, connection, bore, material and actuation – manual, pneumatic or electric.
Filter the right model for your system in the configurator, or request technical advice on bore geometry, material selection and actuator sizing.
Certificates
Special solutions
Resistance check
FAQ - Your questions, our answers!
A 3-way ball valve is used to divert, distribute, or mix flow within a pipeline system — all with a single quarter-turn. Typical applications include process and chemical plants, HVAC systems, water supply networks, and industrial automation. Fergo stocks over 250 models ready to ship — browse the full range.
Fergo supplies 3-way ball valves in the following materials:
Nickel-plated brass – for water, air, and neutral media up to 25 bar
Stainless steel 1.4408 – for aggressive media, high temperatures up to +180 °C, and up to 63 bar
Ductile iron + PFA lining – for highly corrosive chemical media
All materials are available from stock. Technical data sheets available on request.
An L-port 3-way ball valve always connects two of the three ports while the third remains closed. It is ideal for diverting flow between two outlets (A→B or A→C) with a 90° turn. A T-port 3-way ball valve can connect all three ports simultaneously, enabling both mixing (two inlets → one outlet) and splitting (one inlet → two outlets). The correct choice depends on the switching function required in your system. Our technical team is happy to advise — contact us.
Yes. Many manual 3-way ball valves can be retrofitted with a pneumatic or electric actuator at a later stage. The requirement is an ISO 5211-compatible mounting flange on the valve. On request, our team handles actuator sizing, assembly, and delivery of the complete mounted set. Request a quote.
All in-stock models are dispatched the same day for orders placed before 15:00 — via DHL parcel or freight carrier for larger quantities. Deliveries are made across Europe. Current stock availability and lead times are shown directly on each product page.