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YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO VALVE TERMINOLOGY
Our comprehensive guide to valve industry terminology is a valuable resource, whether you’re learning about the industry for the first time or refreshing your knowledge.
ABSOLUTE PRESSURE
The pressure expressed in bar, Pascal or PSI, as measured above a perfect vacuum.
ACTUATOR
A device connected to the valve that allows remote movement of the valve. It can be an air, fluid or electrically powered device.
AERODYNAMIC NOISE
Noise produced by a gas accelerating to supersonic velocity at critical or higher pressure drops through the valve trim.
AIR SET
Also known as a filter regulator. A device used to reduce plant air supply to the actuator or positioner. Also filters the air to remove water or dirt from the pneumatic system.
AIR-TO-CLOSE
An increase in air pressure to the actuator is required to cause the valve to close. This is another way of saying the valve is fail open or normally open.
AIR-TO-OPEN
An increase in air pressure to the actuator is required to cause the valve to open. This is another way of saying the valve is fail closed or normally closed.
ANGLE VALVE
A globe style valve where the inlet and outlet ports are at 90°.
ANSI CLASS
A strength designation for valves which show the maximum pressures at various temperatures at which a valve can be expected to work safely.
ANTI-CAVITATION TRIM
A special trim used in control valves to stage the pressure drop through the valve, which will either prevent cavitation from occurring or direct the bubbles that are formed to the centre of the flow stream, away from the valve body and trim. This is usually accomplished by causing the fluid to travel along a torturous path.
ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE
The pressure exerted by the atmosphere.
