HAND VALVE

What is a Hand Valve in HVAC?

In the HVAC industry, a "hand valve" (also referred to as a manual expansion valve or manual shut-off valve) is a valve that is operated manually to control the flow of refrigerant. It is primarily used for stopping, starting, or regulating refrigerant flow in refrigeration and air conditioning systems.

Hand valves are the most commonly utilized control devices within the HVAC and air conditioning sectors. Typically, these valves are employed in air conditioning equipment to allow for the manual shut-off and activation of refrigerant flow.

In the HVAC field, we often refer to these hand valves as maintenance valves in our daily operations, as they are typically installed between flow accessories, such as filter driers and BTU meters. This allows for quick and easy replacement of flow devices without the need to release refrigerant from the system.

For example, if a flow device becomes damaged, such as a clogged filter drier, we can simply shut off the hand valves to replace the flow device without losing all the refrigerant in the HVAC system. These valves are available in various sizes, including 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", and 5/8".

Some reputable manufacturers of durable and high-quality hand valves include Zoloto, Rotex, and SMC.