Inline Ball Valves on Natural Gas Meter Sets

Understanding the Role of Inline Ball Valves on Natural Gas Meter Sets

Valves are very important devices that control and direct the flow of fluid or gas by opening and closing various passageways. In the natural gas distribution industry, gas valves are used to control gas flow within a structure and are considered the primary shut off for meter service. Common gas valve options include ball and plug valve style, as well as inline and angle designs.

An inline ball valve can be utilized on a natural gas meter set as a riser/meter valve positioned pre-regulator. This valve is used to shut off the flow of gas to the riser for maintenance of any kind and must conform to ASME B16.33. A ball valve can also be installed after the meter for use as the customer valve. Below are the parts that make up an inline ball valve:

Below are the features of A.Y. McDonald inline ball valves and product series options available:

• Precision machined and bubble tight leak protection both open and closed
• Closely controlled operating torques for the life of the valve
• The brass ball rides between two PTFE port seals that require no lubrication
• The stem has a double O-Ring seal and cannot be removed from the valve
• The body and endpiece threads are pinned to prevent disassembly without damaging the valve
• Sealing capability is maintained even after many cycles.
• The internally loaded operating stem cannot be removed from the valve
• The stem has a double O-ring seal
• The body and endpiece threads are pinned to prevent disassembly without damaging the valve
• No field adjustment or maintenance of the valve is needed
• The external cap is secured with a tamperproof stainless-steel screw
• Traditional lockwing design easily accommodates industry-standard locks
• Each valve is pressure tested electronically
• Temperature range of -20ºF to +150ºF
• Meets all ASME B16.33 specifications

Bypass technology applies to gas parts that allow maintenance without interrupting gas flow for the consumer. A.Y. McDonald inline ball valves include a bypass option. The inline bypass valve utilizes a separate plug that operates independently from the main shut off ball. This allows gas from the main to bypass the regulator without using an additional gas source. A stainless-steel security key is required for bypass operation, along with a regulated hose kit (RHK).

A.Y. McDonald's natural gas inline ball valves combine advanced engineering, durability, and safety features to deliver efficient and reliable gas flow control. This solution can help utilities safely bring access of natural gas, along with bypass capabilities, to the homes/buildings in the communities they serve. Learn more about inline ball valves by taking the ‘Inline Ball Valves’ AYU course, calling our customer service department at 1-800-292-2737, or filling out a contact us form on aymcdonald.com.