Interesting Balancing Valve

[Weekend Handyman]

I came across this guy in my travels today. My inner plumbing geek is curious about what it is called and does. It is on the supply for a hot water air handler.

 

[Reach4]

Speculation: pressure measuring points before and after the valve?

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Weekend Handyman]

Speculation: pressure measuring points before and after the valve?

My best guess was a stop and waste that would let you drain on one side or the other depending on if it was opened or closed.

 

[John Gayewski]

It's a balancing valve and It's for reading the temp. You stick a temp probe into those two ports and you get supply and or return temp.

One reads on one side of the valve and the other on the other.

 

[Weekend Handyman]

It's a balancing valve and It's for reading the temp. You stick a temp probe into those two ports and you get supply and or return temp.

Thanks … any idea what it is called?

 

[John Gayewski]

Thanks … any idea what it is called?

A balancing valve. If you Google balancing valve you'll see there are all types. The model number would be the distinction between the different types and what features they have.

 

[Weekend Handyman]

A balancing valve. If you Google balancing valve you'll see there are all types. The model number would be the distinction between the different types and what features they have.

Thanks … found a good article. The link is as follows in case anyone else is interested … https://www.pmengineer.com/articles/95157-choosing-the-right-balancing-valve

 

[Fitter30]

Circuit setter. Need their chart measures pressure drop tells gpm. Used mostly on commercial systems. Probably a $35 valve pre pandemic has a set screw for locking in the setting if used for shut off also. Have multiple devices chilled or hot water its the only way to balance a larger system. Don't want 5 gpm thru a 1 gpm coil you would run out of pump.