Manual Butterfly Valves: Low-Tech but Still Relevant

Amidst all the high-technology automation and remote operation of valves that are so prevalent nowadays, there's still a lot to be said in favor of the reliability and simplicity of a manual butterfly valve. It has no whistles and bells of the electric or air-actuated variety, but for most situations, that's the idea—it simply works.

If you're dealing with fluid flow through a pipeline, process plant, or even a water supply network, there's a fair chance you've used butterfly valves along the way. Their disk design is perfect for tight spaces, quick shut-off, and safe closure, and the manual version provides full control without reliance on an external power source.

Why Manual Still Makes Sense

Not every valve needs to be installed in a smart system in the first place. In most plants and applications of utilities, manual butterfly valves are applied only because they are convenient to operate, don't need any complicated wiring, and can be fixed or replaced with short downtime. They are less expensive to purchase as well, which is a huge factor when you have a tight budget or need to install in bulk.

For small plants, remote locations, or on/off flow control with minimal complexity, manual valves can truly be the more reliable choice. No software glitches to concern yourself with or loss of electricity. Just turn the handle, and it gets the job done.

Selecting a Reliable Butterfly Valve Supplier

A given valve is defined by how it is manufactured and by the manufacturer of the valve. Butterfly valve manufacturers do not make equally. You need a manufacturer that uses strong material, keeps small tolerances, and checks everything before it goes out on a truck to be pre-fitted.

Look find suppliers who are able to supply in different sizes, pressure classes, and different materials (particularly in the case of chemical, seawater, or high temperature applications). When the supplier actually has a clue as to where and how these valves will be used, too, that can be helpful, too, where these won data sheet valve a guy using.

The Bottom Line

The manual butterfly valve has long endured due to its simplicity. They are reliable, inexpensive, and easy enough to operate manually without too much fiddling. In fact, given the right butterfly valve supplier, you have a product that does not need babysitting-it just works when asked to.