7. Notes on dangers during installation, operation and maintenance
Safe operation of the valve is only guaranteed if it has been correctly installed, commissioned and
maintained by qualified personnel (see “Qualified Personnel”), taking into account the warning
information of these installation and maintenance instructions.
In addition, compliance with the general installation and safety regulations for the pipeline or plant
construction, together with the correct use of tools and protective equipment, must be ensured.
The installation and maintenance instructions must be strictly followed when any work is carried
out on the valve or when handling the valve. Non-observance can result in injuries or damage to
property. When the valve is used as a final termination, a safety measure e.g. a blank or dummy
flange is recommended when carrying out maintenance work. When the valve is installed as an
end of line valve, the information given in DIN EN 294 point 5 must be observed.
SNB-SNC ball valves
Installation and Maintenance Instructions
Emerson reserves the right to change the contents without notice
page 6
8. Commissioning
8.1 General commissioning
Before commissioning, the information relating to material, pressure and temperature should be
compared with the installation diagram of the pipeline system.
Tools for increasing the lever or handwheel torque are not allowed.
Any debris left in the pipeline and valves (dirt, welding beads, etc.) will inevitably lead to leakage.
Before each commissioning of a new system or re-commissioning of a system after repair or
modification, it must be ensured that:
- all installation and assembly work has been completed in accordance with the regulations
- commissioning is only undertaken by “Qualified Personnel”
- the valve is in the correct operating position
- new protective equipment is installed or existing protective equipment repaired
9. Use
9.1. Operation - general
SNB series ball valves should only be used in the fully open or fully closed position, as they are not
designed for flow regulation. Intermediate settings can result in turbulence, leading to vibrations
in the pipeline system which then generates noise. If the flow has to be regulated, an SNC series
C valve should be used. This type can also be fitted with various control orifice plates. Refer to the
flow characteristic diagram for SNC control valves.
Operating:
Clockwise to close.
Counter clockwise to open.
9.2. Operation with hand lever
Neotecha ball valves and C valves are supplied with a hand lever as standard, unless anything
different has been provided (except DN 150-6”- too high a torque). The hand lever should always
be fitted on the ball valve and only removed when necessary for maintenance purposes. When the
hand lever points in the direction of the pipeline, the ball valve is fully open; when the hand lever is
at right angles to the pipeline, the valve is fully closed. The hand lever should be turned clockwise
to close the valve.
Nominal diameters 15 to 100 (1/2” to 4”)
Hand lever with notched plate with 10° divisions, range 90°
Operating element: detent lever
The hand lever and detent lever must not be modified. The locking function is otherwise
adversely affected. Damaged hand levers should be exchanged.
9.3. Operation with drive
Thanks to its modular method of construction, the SNB-SNC ball valve can be converted to an
automatic drive at any time. In this case it may be necessary to remove the ball valve from the
pipeline.
When drives or gear units are used, the instructions of the particular manufacturer are applicable
10. Servicing and Maintenance
No routine maintenance or lubrication is required. However, for systems with high temperatures,
an inspection for leakage at the flanges should be carried out shortly after installation. The large
difference between the temperature related expansions of PTFE and some metals can result in cold
flow. Tightening the bolts once again will eliminate this problem. This process may possibly have to
be repeated several times. We recommend that the valve is operated at least once a month.
