Technology Comparison of Control Ball and Globe Valves

Attribute Control Ball Valve Globe Valve Advantage Reason

Quadratic (with characterization) Equal percent to design temp.
BAS controller expects flow
Flow Characteristics Linear (full port) Linear Globe
from valve at low signal
Delayed opening / early close-off Continuous from start
Fixed minimum flow results in 50:1 = 2% steps (HON) Small sizes are the most
Rangeability
1. Low TDR at low Cv 100:1 (Siemens claim) Globe common applications and
(turn-down ratio)
2. High TDR at high Cv Maximum 25:1 (JCI) need high TDR
Operating Differential 20 – 25 psid for characterized ports 20 – 25 psid for quiet operation 20+ psid is not typical of
——
Pressure (plate distortion) (cavitation at low flow) control valve applications
High with low Torque actuators Inversely proportional to Cv, and Globe is comparable
Close-Off Differential (water pressure aids sealing) proportional to actuator force in small sizes
Control Ball
Pressure
Capable of dead-heading pumps* Pressure balanced is high PB more expensive
ANSI Class IV (< 0.01% Cv) @ A port ANSI Class III w/ small metal seats Less leakage reduces
Seat Leakage (Does not apply to B port without ANSI Class IV with resilient seat and Control Ball energy use with chilled
seals) larger metal seated valves water
Resilient material on metal seat
Plated brass ball and stem Stainless steel ball and stem Long term performance
Trim
Brass plug on brass seat —— of ball valve in automatic
(internal construction)
control unknown
Rubber and Teflon stem O-rings Stainless steel plug on SS seat

Low pressure (full port only) Low pressure Greater versatility. Equal %
Steam Ratings Globe
—— High pressure flow available with globe
Lower installed cost with no
Cv Ratings Multiple Cv’s per valve size Multiple Cvs @ 1/2" size Ball
loss of control capability
Lower installed cost with no
Line Size Piping Line size piping with lower Cv Reducers often needed > 1/2" Ball
loss of control capability
1/2" – 3" Threaded 1/2" – 3" Threaded ANSI 150
Pipe Sizes 2-1/2" – 6" ANSI 125 and 250 Globe Wider applications
4" – 6" ANSI 125 Flanged
Flanged
Combo mixing/diverting Mixing models Easier to select. Piping
3-Way Body Styles Control Ball
B port seal required for tight close-off Diverting models different mixing & diverting
Low profile at large sizes Large profile at large sizes Control Ball
Physical Size Depends on application

APPENDICES
Relatively large in 1/2" pipe Small size in 1/2" pipe Globe
Floating/2-position, modulating Floating/2-position, modulating ——
Control Inputs Depends on application
Some pneumatic actuators available Large linear pneumatic installed base Globe
N/O or N/C by actuator position N/O or N/C up to 3" Globe needs higher power
Fail Safe Operation Control Ball
Stay-in-place Stay-in-place actuators
Requires unions for valve access B.V. must be removed
Valve Serviceability In-line serviceable Globe
VBN stems replaceable from piping
CE Preference Growing with time Well established Globe Familiar technology (habit)
Contractor Preference Valve comes with actuator Actuator selection separate Control Ball Easier to select
Actuator Selection Match valve and damper DCAs Requires linkage for DCAs Control Ball Added cost for globe valve
*Pumps require pressure cut-offs or supply-return differential pressure regulators to avoid pump seal damage and potential leakage that can result without flow-through. Unless
used in end-of-line-service, control valves do not need to close off against full pump head.

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