Gas taps: varieties, main characteristics and selection features

All pipes that supply gas to the boiler or stove must have gas taps, which serve to shut off or supply natural fuel to facilities. Gas valves also serve to cut off the gas supply if there is a suspicion of a gas leak or other malfunction of the gas appliance.

It is worth noting that ball valves are most often used for such purposes. Although the type of valve is not so important, the main thing is that it is reliable and serviceable. Next, we will talk in detail about the types of gas valves and outline the main criteria for their selection.

Classification of gas taps

Ever since childhood, we were taught that you can't joke with gas. And even now, any schoolchild knows, the telephone number of the gas service is 104. At school, from early childhood, they explain where to call if the smell of gas is heard in the house.

Pipes, valves and other constituent materials for the gas supply must be of special quality. These structural elements must serve a person for at least ten years, and they should be periodically checked and, if necessary, replaced.

However, the owner of the premises will have to purchase gas equipment. It will not be difficult to choose it if you study what requirements it must meet. So, the main characteristics of gas taps almost all boil down to the reliability of the valves. The dimensions depend on the pipe diameter. That is why the diameters of the gas taps must match the size of the pipe.

Most often it is 24, 27 mm. Manufacturers produce gas valves and valves, the thread size of gas valves can be of three types. If you look at the marking of the product, then the following information must be indicated there without fail according to GOST: type of product and type of crane

By the principle of action

Next, consider what types of gas valves are. Judging by the principle of operation, then they can be divided into cork and ball.

Cork gas taps - their principle of operation is based on the operation of the cork mechanism. The principle is quite simple: just turn the valve handle and the plug will also turn inside the body. And there is a hollow structure, thanks to which the gas can easily pass inside the case through the pipe to its destination.

When the tap handle is turned back, there will already be a closed space and therefore the gas will no longer pass through the obstacle. The only thing is that the valve body and the plug must fit tightly to each other. The role of the sealant is performed by the valve gland.

Ball gas valves somewhat different from cork in that there is a ball inside, which plays the role of a locking system. If the ball is turned in one direction, then gas will pass through the hole in it, thus the valve will open. If in the other direction, then the closed surface will not let gas flows. Usually such a ball is made of metal. Moreover, the material is used durable.

The product serves for a long time and special care of the ball valve is not needed, in contrast to the cork valve, which needs to be serviced periodically. Ball structures appeared on the markets not so long ago, but they are especially popular, because they have their own advantages. In particular - the low cost of the product, ease of use, strength and reliability, long service life.

Also, these cranes can be operated at low and high temperatures, more precisely in the range from -55 to +75 degrees Celsius. That is why experts advise using just such gas taps for domestic purposes.

By the method of connection with pipes

If you look at the method of connecting taps with pipes, then they can be divided into the following types:

• threaded valves - they are connected to the pipe by scrolling until full contact. To prevent the gas from poisoning, use special gaskets;
• flanged valves - they are connected with special flanges, which are metal discs, but they are already fastened with bolts;
• welded valves - such locking mechanisms are simply installed with a welding machine, without any threads and flange auxiliary discs and bolts.

Valves of the first two fastening methods (threaded and flanged) can be used reusable, they can be removed from the pipes, then fastened back. But welded mechanisms are used only once, reuse is impossible.

By product material

When buying a gas valve, it is imperative to pay attention to the material of the product. This is an important component, because the stronger the material from which the locking mechanisms are made, the longer its service life. And for gas pipes, taps should be of the highest quality.

It is for the raw materials from which the cranes are made that they got their names. Brass tapsare perhaps the most common products on the market.

True, there are also some disadvantages of these designs. If you need a valve for supplying gas to a stove, a boiler, then yes, you will find such valves from this material. For small diameter pipes, there is a small selection of products, and even then not for everyone. Brass also reacts to high temperatures. If the product is heated above 200 ° C, then it will no longer be possible to use it. Brass is also not used in the petrochemical industry.

In addition, many manufacturers have recently replaced brass with brittle silumin in order to save warn about this, because the buyer should be careful about the product, choosing it in those points where there is no product certification. Silumin cranes during repairs, gas may leak due to microcracks, this is unacceptable and unsafe.

In the USSR, more often than others used cast iron gas taps. The quality of these products was excellent, but now manufacturers have stopped making them, because this industry does not stand still, but is developing. New types of steel appear that are not as expensive as cast iron, but have properties similar to it. Therefore, they no longer make cast-iron mechanisms to control the gas supply.

Now, in addition to brass products, there are often:

• Carbon valves - they have a huge variety of diameters, but they are most often used for water, they are not suitable for feeding even mildly aggressive wednesday Also, if the temperature is minus forty, then the material loses its properties, is not suitable for use.
• Alloy taps - they are quite similar to carbonaceous ones in the type of application, the only difference is that they can withstand temperatures up to - 60 ° C.
• Stainless steel taps - more often used in large industries. They are resistant to various temperature extremes, are not afraid of aggressive environments, and do not rust.

Particular attention should be paid to the valve gate. It must be smooth without fail. After all, manufacturers use diamond cutting technologies to reduce friction between parts, thereby minimizing the risk of leaks.

Good quality gas valves are made with brass valves. And on top, the material is also coated with nickel or chrome plated. This extends the life of the locking mechanism. Those cranes that are lower in cost are made of metal. It is good while new, but over time the metal starts to rust.

The main criteria for choosing equipment

If there is a question about replacing the gas valve, then it is not recommended to do this on your own. Only specialists have the right to engage in such work, and they must have a license for these types of work. Make replacement of gas pipes, cranes themselves are simply unacceptable. You can endanger not only your life, but also the life of your family and neighbors.

Any landlord and tenant should know this information. It is the workers of gas facilities who periodically inspect the state of the gas equipment or, in case of malfunctions, the landlord calls the emergency gas service. They, in turn, establish what is out of order, and the tenants buy everything they need to fix the breakdowns. In this case, we will find out by what criteria it is better to choose a gas valve.

As previously mentioned, ball valves are popular, although experts in the industry say that cork valves last longer - their service life is about 20 years. But they only need to be serviced and sometimes lubricated. And ball - no.

So when choosing, you should pay attention to all the little things, even the appearance of the product and take into account the following circumstances:

1. The diameter of the gas valve must be the same as the diameter of the pipe. Of course, valves with a smaller, larger diameter are simply not suitable for the job.
2. Thread pitch. If you take a threaded locking mechanism, then it must match the thread pitch on the gas pipe. So you do not have to buy any adapters that will cumbersome the structure.
3. Pay attention to the material of the product. Still, for gas it is better to use brass taps. This is a time-tested material. It will serve you for a long time and without problems. Brass has a yellowish tone and the brass faucet is heavier than various steels.
4. Look closely at the appearance. The product must be free of scratches, cracks, chips. There should be no defects on the surface or inside. Feel free to take a close look at the gas tap, you don't want to change it often. You should also not save on the purchase.

Choose cranes from well-known companies, as these manufacturers treat their products with responsibility, because they do not want to lose customers. And the reputation of their company is important to them. These manufacturers include a German company Dungs, an Italian company Bugatti.

Tips for replacing gas taps

In apartments or houses gas communications serve for many years. The only thing is that they require periodic checks and maintenance (pipe painting). The most vulnerable parts of such structures are gas taps. Still, they are used several times a day, or even more. It is because of heavy loads that gas taps break down. Breakdowns of gas taps made from low-quality raw materials are especially common. Plastic products fail faster than others.

Not everyone knows when a crane needs to be replaced. The answer is simple - when you smell an unpleasant odor characteristic of a gas, then you need to check where the smell is richest. If the leak is in the area of ​​the gas valve, then it should be replaced.

Examine the product, you may notice cracks or other damage on it. Maybe the crane turns tight, or vice versa - turns too freely, then we can safely say that the device is out of order. But you cannot replace the locking device yourself. Do not tempt fate - call a gas worker.

He's free to you will replace the gas cock, your only task is to buy the right mechanism that will fit your gas pipes and will last for many years. We talked about the selection rules above.

If it becomes necessary to change the device, then do the following:

1. To get started, dial the number of the gas facility, report your problem to the dispatcher.
2. Buy a suitable faucet, take into account the pipe diameter, thread pitch, and other nuances. Choose not the cheapest product.
3. Prepare documentation for gas specialists. Most likely you will need: technical passport, gas supply documentation.
4. When the employee arrives, he will ask to light the burner, close the valve that controls the gas supply. This will drain the fuel from the pipe.
5. All work on the replacement or repair of gas equipment must be carried out in a well-ventilated area.
6. The foreman will replace the tap and check its operation, and he must also check for gas leaks.
7. When the repair of gas communications is completed, the specialist will ask for a technical passport and make a record of the work done.

Leak detection of fossil fuels is carried out by using soap foam. Foam is applied to the joints and the faucet, and then the foam is closely monitored. If there is a gas leak, then bubbles begin to form in this area.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

As you can see, choosing and replacing a gas valve is not such a difficult job. And in order not to expose yourself and your neighbors to danger, the process should be treated with responsibility. Even such a small detail as a faucet for gas pipes in an apartment plays an important role in general gas communications.

How to choose a high-quality gas valve will be discussed in the following video:

Please tell other visitors to our site if you have had to deal with the choice and replacement of gas valves. Perhaps there are subtleties that we did not mention in this article? Leave your comments, share your experience, ask questions - the communication block is located under the article.