7 September 2018 · irrigation · valves
What an irrigation valve is for and what types there are
Gate, ball, check… Every valve has its role in an irrigation network. We explain which one to choose depending on what you need: to shut off, regulate, protect or sectorise.
An irrigation network is, in essence, pressurised water that has to be shut off, sectorised, protected and regulated. There is a type of valve for each of these tasks, and choosing well avoids water hammer, leaks and breakdowns. These are the main families we manufacture.
Gate valves
They are the shut-off valves par excellence in control heads, hydrants and buried networks. Our resilient-seated models have the wedge vulcanised in EPDM, so they seal without dripping and without the need for metal seats that wear out. With a full straight bore, they do not trap sediment or cause head loss. We manufacture them in GGG-50 ductile iron with a 250 µm epoxy coating, with EN 1092 flanges (PN 10/16) or with a push-fit socket for PVC, which saves flanges and stub flanges in irrigation networks.
Ball valves
For small diameters and frequent operation, the bronze or brass ball valve is fast (a quarter turn) and compact. It is used in tappings, branch lines and control heads, threaded or with a push-fit socket for polyethylene, with a lever or with a square cap for operation from a surface box.
Check valves
They prevent water from flowing back when the pump stops or where there are changes in level. We manufacture three solutions: ball check valves, for water carrying solids; dual-plate wafer check valves, very compact and fast-closing, which reduce water hammer; and swing check valves in stainless steel.
Strainers and expansion joints
The Y-strainer protects valves and emitters from particles, and the rubber expansion joint absorbs vibration and slight misalignment on the suction and discharge sides of pumps.
How to choose
- To shut off a sector: resilient-seated gate valve.
- For frequent operation in small diameters: ball valve.
- To protect the pump: dual-plate check valve.
- For dirty water: ball check valve and Y-strainer.
All the references, with DN, PN and datasheet, are in the valve catalogue. And if your installation has a particular requirement, our technical team will help you choose.
