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INSTALLATION, OPERATION and
MAINTENANCE
GA Industries Figure 517R
Rectangular Port Plug Valves
INTRODUCTION
This manual will provide the information to properly install,
operate and maintain the valve to ensure a long service life.
The GA Industries Figure 517R Eccentric Plug Valves are
ruggedly constructed to provide years of trouble-free
operation with minimal maintenance.
WARNING
The valve is NOT recommended for use with
toxic or highly corrosive fluids, fuels or fluids
containing hazardous gases
The Shop Order (SO) Number, Figure Number, size and
pressure rating are stamped on a nameplate attached to the
valve. Please refer to the SO number when ordering parts.
FUNCTION
Figure 517R Eccentric Plug Valves are typically either fully
open or fully closed to isolate pipelines and equipment in
sewage and wastewater pipelines and treatment plants or on
sludge lines in water treatment plants. The valve can also
be positioned partially open to throttle flow. It can be
manually operated by turning the handwheel or 2
” operating
nut on the worm gear actuator or automatically by an electric
motor, pneumatic or hydraulic actuator. The valve is
designed to accommodate solids and other matter that may
be present in sewage and sludge systems without clogging.
RECEIVING AND STORAGE
Inspect the valve upon receipt for damage during shipment.
Carefully unload all valves to the ground without dropping.
The valves should remain in a clean, dry, and weather
protected area until installed.
The valves should be stored with the plug partially open.
Replace any flange protectors that were removed for receipt
inspection.
INSTALLATION
These valves are large, heavy, and awkward to handle.
Ensure proper handling techniques are employed. Handle
heavy valves using slings around the valve body and/or by
the lifting eyes. Do not lift by the actuators or by slings or
chains through the port openings.
Prior to installation ensure all debris, packing material or
other foreign material has been removed from both ports.
Before installing, open and close the valve to ensure proper
operation. Close valve before installing in pipeline.
The valve is not designed to support adjacent equipment
and all piping must be supported to avoid imposing stress on
the valve. Do not
“jack” mating pipes into position.
The valve should be oriented with the
“Seat End” in the
proper direction. While the valve can operate with flow in
either direction it is typically installed with the seat end on
the downstream side of the flow.
When installed in horizontal pipes with fluids containing
suspended solids it is preferred, but not necessary, to install
the valve with the plug shaft horizontal so that the plug
rotates up and out of the flow path when open.
When installed in vertical pipes with suspended solids, the
valve should be installed with the seat end on the top side of
the valve regardless of the flow direction
Ensure mating flanges are square and parallel to the valve
flanges before tightening flange bolts. Prepare pipe ends
according to pipe manufacturer
’s instructions when installing
mechanical joint end valves.
Do not backfill buried service valves until after the system is
tested.
Flanged valves should be mated with flat-faced flanges and
full-face gaskets. If ring gaskets are used the bolt material
shall be ASTM A307 Grade B (or equivalent). Higher
strength bolting should only be used with full-face gaskets.
Lubricate the bolts or studs and insert around flange. Lightly
tighten bolts until gaps are eliminated. Torque bolts in an
alternating pattern in graduated steps. If leakage occurs
wait 24 hours and re-torque the bolts but do not compress
the gasket more than 50% or exceed bolt maximum torque
rating.
Do not test systems to pressures higher than the 150 PSI
rated pressure.
Before putting into service open all valves completely and
thoroughly flush system to avoid damaging the valve seat by
closing on construction debris.
OPERATION
The Figure 517R opens and closes through a 90-degree
“eccentric” rotation. During opening, the initial rotation
causes the rubber coated plug to pull
“out of the seat” and
rotation continues without seat contact minimizing wear.
When fully open the plug is out of the main flow path for low
headloss but can be positioned partially open for throttling
applications. During closing, the plug initially rotates without
seat contact but rotates
“into the seat” at the end of travel
making a tight seal.
