The purpose of shut-off valves is to safely halt or resume the passage of dangerous substances or outside gases. They are employed in industrial automation processes to isolate sub-systems while they are not in use or to block compressed air. A shut-off valve goes by several names. A ball valve, an exhausting ball valve, a cut-off valve, a shutdown valve, an emergency shutdown valve, and a lockout valve are a few popular terms.
Why would you use one?
Using a cut-off valve as part of an air preparation unit can save time and money and is considered best practice. It is most commonly utilized for safety-related purposes. By rapidly preventing air from reaching a portion of the application that is being used, shut-off valves facilitate simpler equipment maintenance without compromising the functionality of the entire system. They are easy to use and can be employed for maintenance or in the event that there is a safety issue or an equipment malfunction. Certain shut-off valves in the IMI Norgren series can be locked in the closed position and made unchangeable with the use of a padlock, while others fulfill the requirements of the lock-out, tag-out (LOTO) system, which prevents a machine from starting until maintenance is completed.
An example of a basic application
A water shutoff valve is a more useful illustration of a shut-off valve. You can find these all over your house. The primary shutoff valve, which has the ability to cut off the water supply to your entire house, is the most crucial. This valve can be found in an underground box outside the house, on one of the home's external walls, or in the basement. Furthermore, shutdown valves for particular fixtures, such as sinks, water heaters, and toilets, are situated next to them. These valves are helpful for swiftly interrupting the water flow and preventing floods in the event of an emergency or the need for plumbing repairs.
Shut-off valves are always available in two versions: normally closed, sometimes abbreviated as NC, or normally open, abbreviated as NO.
