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What Are 3-Way Ball Valves?

3-Way NPT Stainless Steel Ball Valve, Series WE31

Dwyer Instruments offers a diverse line of 3-way ball valves with a variety of body materials such as brass, stainless steel, and plastic. We also have a variety of end connections to choose from, including: NPT (National Pipe Tapered threads), tri-clamp, flanged, or socket.

What is a 3-way ball valve?
A 3-way ball valve, also known as a multi-port valve, has 3 ports or openings, where one port is common to the other two.  This third port offers the fluid an alternate path of travel, which permits the valve to have one inlet and two outlets, or two inlets and one outlet. They also provide simple and economical flow shut-off and direction control in one valve body. Continue reading “What Are 3-Way Ball Valves?”

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[Product Highlight] Series ACT Pneumatic and Electric Actuators

Pneumatic and Electric Actuators, Series ACT

The W.E. Anderson Series ACT Actuators are available in either pneumatic or electric models. The wide range of torques and voltages means there is an actuator for almost any application. The standard ISO 5211 mounting configuration makes installation to any valve or damper quick and simple. W.E. Anderson pneumatic ACT models are a compact rack-and-pinion design with a symmetrical structure that ensures fast and steady action, high precision, and high output power. The corrosion-resistant anodized aluminum body is designed to withstand harsh, abusive industrial environments and provide reliable service. We offer double acting and spring return models in a variety of sizes to fit any application. Continue reading “[Product Highlight] Series ACT Pneumatic and Electric Actuators”

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The Key to Energy Efficiency

“In the real estate industry you always hear this phrase, ‘Location, location, location.’ I think for energy management systems the key is ‘Execution, execution, execution.'”[1]

— Sara Lisauskas, Energy Management Systems: Maximizing Energy Savings

What comes to mind when you think of the phrase “energy efficient?” Perhaps you think of LED light bulbs, electric cars, Energy Star appliances, or LEED-certified buildings. But energy efficiency isn’t limited to “green” products or certifications. Continue reading “The Key to Energy Efficiency”

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ESD and Surge Issues in Pumping, Pressure Boosting, and Irrigation Applications

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) is a unique phenomenon that can be seen in everyday life. The effects of ESD can be seen by rubbing a balloon on your head, resulting in your hair sticking to the balloon, or by touching a doorknob or a pet in a dry building and receiving a static shock.

In irrigation, well water pumping, and pressure boosting applications, ESD can cause larger issues than just a small shock to your finger. Because plastics used in PVC pipes are insulators, the moving water builds up static electric charges. Eventually, this static electric buildup will discharge through an ungrounded pathway (e.g. instrumentation or sensors used to control a pump). Continue reading “ESD and Surge Issues in Pumping, Pressure Boosting, and Irrigation Applications”

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Ask the Expert: Dwyer Applications Engineers

Dwyer strives to be the trusted leader in manufacturing innovative instrumentation solutions for the worldwide HVAC and process automation markets. Providing friendly, timely, and accurate technical service/support is just one way in which we accomplish this mission. It is a source of pride for the whole Dwyer team, and we’re happy to be able to assist our customers with their product application requirements. Continue reading “Ask the Expert: Dwyer Applications Engineers”