Valves

An air compressor valve regulates air intake and exhaust. It controls the flow into or out of the cylinder of a compressor. Edmac stocks many different types of valves for any air compressor you can imagine. Below is a list of the different types of valves we stock. If you know the type you want, use our Quick Search Tool at the top of the page to quickly find what you are looking for, or feel free to browse our full collection of hard parts.

Ball Valves/Strainers

• A ball valve is a valve with a spherical disc, the part of the valve, which controls the flow through it. The sphere has a hole, or port, through the middle so that when the port is in line with both ends of the valve, the flow will occur. When the valve is closed, the hole is perpendicular to the ends of the valve, and flow is blocked. The handle or lever will be inline with the port position letting you "see" the valve's position. The ball valve, along with the butterfly valve and plug valve, is part of the family of quarter-turn valves. Ball valves are durable and usually work to achieve perfect shutoff even after years of disuse. They are therefore an excellent choice for shutoff applications (and are often preferred to globe valves and gate valves for this purpose).
• Ball valve/strainer combos are used on some timer controlled condensate drains.  Although they are not required, they do allow the service engineer to shut off certain parts of the compressed air system without having to depressurize the whole system.  Valve inlet is 1/2" MPT and 1/4" FPT internally threaded for versatility.

Horizontal & Vertical Check Valves

• A check valve, clack valve, non-return valve or one-way valve is a mechanical device, a valve, which normally allows fluid (liquid or gas) to flow through it in only one direction.
• Check valves are two-port valves, meaning they have two openings in the body, one for fluid to enter and the other for fluid to leave. There are various types of check valves used in a wide variety of applications. Check valves work automatically and most are not controlled by a person or any external control; accordingly, most do not have any valve handle or stem. The bodies (external shells) of most check valves are made of plastic or metal.
• An important concept in check valves is the cracking pressure, which is the minimum upstream pressure at which the valve will operate. Typically, the check valve is designed for and can, therefore, be specified for a specific cracking pressure.

Safety/Relief Valves

A safety valve is a valve mechanism for the automatic release of a substance from a boiler, pressure vessel, or another system when the pressure or temperature exceeds preset limits. It is part of a bigger set named pressure safety valves (PSV) or pressure relief valves (PRV). The other parts of the set are named relief valves, safety relief valves, pilot-operated safety relief valves, low-pressure safety valves, vacuum pressure safety valves.

Compressor Unloader-Check Valves

• A compressor running in a "start-stop" mode operates more efficiently if the pressure trapped in the compressor head and discharge line is released after each pump-up cycle. This allows smoother starts and the use of a motor with lower starting torque.
• The most convenient way to release this trapped pressure is to use Load Genie® combination check and unloader valve. Simply install this unique valve in the compressor discharge line, and the Load Genie® does the rest!
• The Load Genie® senses airflow when the compressor is running and closes an unloading orifice port. When airflow stops (such as when the pressure switch turns off the motor), the Load Genie® opens the unloading orifice to release head pressure, and a built-in check valve keeps receiver air from leaking back into the discharge line and compressor head.
• Alternative methods rely on external unloading valves mounted on the pressure switch or compressor. These external unloading valves are connected with appropriate tubing and fittings to the compressor discharge line or compressor head. A tank check valve is also required. These systems, then consist of the unloading valve, connecting tubing with appropriate fittings, a tank check valve, and the labor to install it all. Compare this to the single component installation of a Load Genie, and the advantages are apparent.

Time Controlled Automatic Drain Valves

Electronic timer controlled drain valves are traditionally considered less likely to foul, but less energy efficient than a no-loss valve. They are well suited for small to medium-sized compressed air systems. Most electronic drain valves let you set the drain to come on once every 10 seconds to 45 minutes and remain open for 0.10 to 10 seconds.

Motorized Ball Drain Valves for Compressed Air

If you need to drain an air receiver or another similar pressure vessel the best choice is a ball valve drain. Compared to other types of drain valves, ball valve drains are not affected as quickly by dirt, oily sludge, rust, and the other gunk that comes out of receiver tanks. Motorized ball valve drains with timers are a little more expensive than direct-acting drains, however, the headaches saved probably make the expense worthwhile.

High-Pressure Drain Valves

• Timer-controlled electronic drain valves are less expensive than no-loss and ball valve drains. Most electronic drain valves let you set the drain to come on once every 10 seconds to 45 minutes and remain open for 0.10 to 10 seconds.
• The next thing to consider is the pressure you are operating at and the air's temperature. Drain valves for high temperatures and pressures are readily available. The Optimum High-Pressure series goes up to 6,000 PSI. The valve body material is normally brass or bronze or stainless. Stainless steel valves are commonly used in corrosive environments, sanitary applications, and in systems piped in stainless. If chemical compatibility is a concern with your process be sure to check the valve body material. Some drains like the Optimum series are NEMA4.

Regulators and Valves

A valve is a device that regulates the flow of a fluid (gases, liquids, fluidized solids, or slurries) by opening, closing, or partially obstructing various passageways. Valves are technically pipe fittings, but are usually discussed as a separate category. In an open valve, fluid flows in a direction from higher pressure to lower pressure.

Control Regulators and Pressure regulators

• Pressure Regulators: Our regulators are diaphragm operated and feature a non-raising "Press to Lock" adjusting knob for locking at any pressure. Optional accessories include clamps, spacers, piping adapters, wall mounting brackets, modular kits, and pressure gauges.
• Positive Control Regulators: The normally closed (NC, Positive Control) regulator is used to modulate the intake valve closed to control compressor output. The valve is installed so that it senses compressor output pressure. The NC regulator stays closed up to a pre-set pressure. Once the valve opens, a pressure signal is an output to control the compressor.
• Negative Control Regulators: The normally open (NO, Negative Control) regulator is used to modulate the intake valve (or others) open to control compressor output. The valve is installed so that it senses compressor output pressure. The NO regulator stays open to a pre-set pressure sending the compressor output pressure to the control system. Once the valve starts closing, the pressure signal that is sent out is proportionally decreased compared to the compressor output pressure.

Valves, Thermal Valves

Edmac Compressor Parts stocks all valves and thermal valves for your compressed air system. We offer minimum pressure check valves, thermal valves, thermal valve elements, minimum pressure check valve repair kits, inlet valves, inlet valve repair kits, solenoid valves, solenoid valve repair kits, differential pilot valves, differential pilot valve repair kits and many more. Air Compressor valves and thermal valves ensure that your compressed air system continues to maximize its output and increase efficiency. The thermal valves work in conjunction with your cooler to minimize the operating temperature of your air compressor. Edmac stocks all the major replacement air compressor valves and thermal valves for your Sullair, Kaeser, Quincy, Gardner Denver, Atlas Copco, and Ingersoll Rand.