Side Entry Vs Top Entry Ball Valve

Side entry and top entry ball valves are both shut-down ball valves that provide reliable, bubble-shut-off service and are widely used in the oil, gas, and petrochemical industries, etc.

Side Entry Ball Valve

Side-entry ball valves are ball valves in which the valve balls are assembled from the side. The assembly is usually a three-piece or two-piece body. Side entry ball valves are easy to assemble as components are easy to align. Side-entry ball valves are the most widely used ball valves.

Advantages:

• Side entry ball valves employ a simple design and are easy to assemble.
• These valves are of small weight and volume relative to the top entry ball valve.
• Side-entry ball valves are easy to disassemble and repair.
   

Side entry vs top entry ball valve

Top Entry Ball Valve

Top entry ball valves are the ball valves where the valve balls are assembled from the top. Top entry ball valves are typically made from casting steel. Top entry ball valves require specific testing to make sure there are no defects.

Advantages:

• In-line maintenance is available without valve removal.
• A one-piece body is used to ensure adequate strength and rigidity at the highest-rated operating pressure for the body.

Application:

Top entry ball valves are used in piping systems where the top of the valve can be removed to gain access to the ball and seats without removing the entire valve from the piping system.

A one-piece body is used to ensure adequate strength and rigidity at the highest- rated operating pressure for the body. The internal components of the valve are specially engineered and chosen to ensure stability in all operating conditions.

Side Entry Vs Top Entry Ball Valve