Do you know the difference between a 3-way valve and a 3-piece valve?

There’s a lot of confusion on this topic, and many times you end up ordering something you don’t want because you mixed up these two types of valves.

If you don’t want to get confused when ordering these valves, I’m going to explain everything so you never make this mistake again!

3 Way Ball Valve:

3-way ball valves are devices primarily used when you need to distribute flow. They have 3 ports or connections, usually with one inlet—typically the central port—and two side outlets. However, as you’ll see later, we also offer an alternative.

What types of 3-way ball valves are there?

Within these devices, there are different configurations depending on how they distribute the flow.

3 Wall valve
  • L-Port 3-Way Ball Valve:
    In this case, the fluid enters through the central inlet and exits through one of the two side outlets the valve has. When actuated, it blocks the flow to one outlet, “forcing” it to go through the other outlet port.
  • T-Port 3-Way Ball Valve:
    With the T-port configuration, the inlet is still central, but in this case, the fluid can flow to both outlet ports simultaneously. When the valve is actuated, the flow to one of the outlet ports is blocked.
  • Redfluid Special K-Series 3-Way Ball Valve:
    This is the alternative previously mentioned. At Redfluid, we offer this series, which has a configuration where the pressure inlet is lateral rather than central. This means you can have the inlet on one of the sides and the outlet through the center.
3-Way, L-Port, T port

If you’d like to see a more in-depth article where we only talk about 3-way valves, click here.
Additionally, here is the datasheet for our 3-way ball valves.

FICHA TÉCNICA VÁLVULA 3 VÍAS EN

Now that you’ve got a clear understanding of what a 3-way valve is, let’s take a look at what a 3-piece dismountable valve is.

3-Piece Valve:

3-piece valves, as the name suggests, consist of three parts: two end caps and a central body. This design offers significant advantages in terms of maintenance, cleaning, and the durability of the equipment.

3 piece valve

Below are the most significant advantages of choosing this type of valve:

  • Easy to weld:
    The main feature that sets these valves apart from others is how easy they are to weld without damaging the seals and seats. Because they have 3 pieces, you can disassemble, weld, and reassemble them, avoiding the heat damage that the seals and seats would experience. If they are not disassembled, always remember to weld at low temperatures, ensuring it doesn’t exceed 80ºC.
  • Ease of maintenance:
    Have you ever had to take apart a valve? If the answer is yes, then you already know how complicated it can be. 3-piece valves are designed to make maintenance easier, allowing you to take them apart without having to remove the entire valve from the system. You can replace the seals and seats of a welded valve without needing to cut the weld.
  • Durability and flexibility:
    It’s similar to a bicycle where you can change the tires. If one part wears out, you can replace just that part without changing the entire bike. 3-piece ball valves work in a similar way, giving them greater durability and ease of repair. In other words, if one of the 3 pieces of the valve needs replacing, there’s no need to replace the whole assembly, which ultimately reduces costs over time. Additionally, they can withstand high pressures and temperatures.

Additionally, here you have the datasheet for our 3-piece valves.

FICHA TÉCNICA VÁLVULA 3 PIEZAS EN (#80)

Which valve should I choose?

I’m sure many of you have thought of the following question: This information is great, but which one should I choose?

The choice of valve depends on your needs, for example:

  • “Kike, I need a valve that can distribute the flow.” The solution to this problem would be a 3-way valve.

Another example might be:

  • “Hey Kike, I need a valve for welding. What do you recommend?” In this case, the answer would be a 3-piece valve.

Luckily, here at Redfluid, we offer both solutions in different sizes and materials to suit your specific needs.

And remember, for any fittings, valves, piping, or tubing, don’t hesitate… Redfluid is your best option! Feel free to contact us with any questions.