Valves are the most crucial plumbing products. We use them everywhere in bathrooms, kitchens, industries, etc. It is impossible to survive without valves. A few decades ago, valves were only supposed to perform functions like regulation and control. But now, they have completely revolutionized the plumbing industry.

There are thousands of different structures, shapes, and sizes for valves. One of those is the thermostatic water valve and brass safety valve. They both are efficient and well-performing. They differ in properties and functions. Below is the difference between a thermostatic water valve and a brass safety valve. Let’s dive straight into it.

What is a Thermostatic Water Valve?

Thermostatic water valves are the ones that can internally sense and control the temperature of the water. Any external power does not guide them. Instead, they have built-in properties to sense temperature changes. Thermostatic water valves contain wax in the valve structure. The wax is sensitive to fluctuation in the temperature of fluid flowing across.

The temperature range for such valves depends upon the wax. We can prepare them in different compositions depending on our desired operating temperature. The wax for thermostatic valves is formulated in manufacturing units under high supervision. Once it is ready, we cannot change its temperature range. It changes when we change its chemical composition.

Thermostatic water valves have three main types. Here are their details for understanding their functions.

Types Of Thermostatic Water Valves:

Thermostatic water valves have three main types depending on their function.

1. Thermostatic Mixing Valve: Mixing valves mix hot and cold liquids to moderate levels. They take water from two different inlets, one with hot and other cold temperatures, and release it from another outlet with a decreased temperature. Their uses are in homes, schools, hospitals, etc., where body parts can directly contact hot water.

Thermostatic mixing valves also have the same wax composition. They blend hot and cold water to reach a specific temperature range, which depends upon the composition of the wax. Once it reaches the set temperature, it stops the flow of further hot water.

The thermostatic mixing valve’s structure consists of four essential parts: temperature-sensitive elements, pistons, adjusters, and return springs. The specifications of thermostatic mixing valves are here.

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• Thermostatic Radiator Valve: These valves regulate the air temperature by controlling the hot water content in the valve. They allow you to attain the desired temperature in rooms or air spaces. They stimulate hot and cold room temperatures when they exceed the set limit. Thermostatic radiator valves are almost effortless ways to control the temperature of a room. They create a bridge between the heat radiator and the air temperature.

Thermostatic radiator valves are automatic valves having two body parts. The valve head is the upper part, and the valve body is the lower. The head of the valve has a capsule with a pin. The pin comes out, contracting the capsule when the temperature gets low. It increases the amount of hot water to regulate the air temperature. Similarly, the capsule expands and takes a pin inside when the room’s temperature rises. At this moment, the hot water content decreases to decrease the temperature.

This mechanism is super quick and self-regulating and works efficiently at a low cost. Let’s check the specifications of the thermostatic radiator valves. 

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• Thermostatic Expansion Valve: Thermostatic expansion valves are present in refrigerators and chillers. Refrigerant is a fluid present there that moves at high pressure. Expansion valves control the amount of liquid refrigerant and only let a certain amount pass through. They lie near the evaporator, checking the amount of refrigerant from the condenser. Then, they decide how much liquid has to go to the evaporator.

The thermostatic expansion valve has small orifices in the body that control the refrigerant flow. A pin is responsible for changing the size of the orifice. A diaphragm applies pressure on the pin, which decides the size of the orifice inside the valve body.

When a temperature change is sensed, the liquid either expands or contracts. It then releases or stops the refrigerant from evaporating. Thus, the designated temperature is reached. Here are the specifications of the thermostatic expansion valve.

What is a Brass Safety Valve? 

The brass safety valve helps alleviate excessive pressure in a system. Overpressure in a working system can be very harmful. It can damage machinery and the surroundings. The results can be worse in the case of a blast due to High Pressure.

We use brass for safety valves because it is a very durable material. Brass valves possess highly effective properties. We use safety valves in almost every plumbing pressure tube. They maintain smooth pressure by ensuring the safety of the machines.

The safety valve’s structure has a set pressure inside. When pressure exceeds this limit, the valve opens automatically and completely to release tension from the system. This normalizes the stress and saves spare parts of the system from damage.

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Types Of Brass Safety Valve:

On an operational basis, Brass Safety valves have the following three types. 

1. Pilot-Operated Safety Valves: These valves operate in storage tanks and control pressure changes. They often lie at the bottom and help the system achieve a steady temperature.

When the pressure rises above the spring’s mechanical value, the safety valve comes into action. Usually, the valve is in a closed position, but the pressure increase forces the piston to open it. It then releases the excess pressure. Conventional valves follow this mechanism. The latest works by supplying fluid to the sealing disk. It initiates the opening of the valve and pressure release.

These are the specifications of pilot-operated safety valves.

• Spring Mechanism Safety Valve: These are conventional types of safety valves. Spring-loaded safety valves have already set the pressure range at which they open. When pressure increases to that limit, the valve opens automatically. It then stops liquid flow from that system to avoid a pressure increase.

This type of valve has a body, a nozzle, and an adjusting ring that can adjust the pressure. The compressing spring lies on top of the disc within the bonnet, and the nozzle is present beneath the disc and the adjusting rings.

Usually, the disc remains fixed on the nozzle as the pressure is within the desired range. But when it detects a significant increase in force, the disc begins to rise, compressing the spring. This condition stimulates the valve opening and treats system stress. Then, it works by cutting the fluid supply from that vessel to help the system stabilize.

Let’s check out the specs of the spring mechanism safety valve.

• Bellow Safety Valve: Bellow safety valves work by controlling the backpressure in a system. Back pressure affects a valve’s operational areas. We can solve this problem by adding a bellows to the valve to balance pressure.

Bellows occupy an area similar to an orifice. This zone is out of the effect of back pressure. The bellow zone is air-vented. Only springs are responsible for the opposing force when the bellows safety valve is operational. No backpressure is involved in further processing. The safety valves below have the following specifications.

Difference Between Thermostatic Water Valve and Brass Safety Valve. 

Takeaway:

The details above justify the differences between a thermostatic water valve and a brass safety valve. Both have one thing in common: they detect unusual changes. However, the thermostatic valve is temperature-sensitive while the safety valve is pressure-sensitive. Their types are different in their specific applications.

We can install domestic versions of these valves in our homes. But they are vastly a part of industrial use. You can deeply study each type of valve. It can help you understand which one you should buy per your requirements.