Sometimes called “full bore,” a full port ball valve is a special valve design that allows for unrestricted flow when the valve is opened.
Full port valves have larger bodies than standard valves. This larger body houses a larger ball and larger opening inside. Full port valves have openings the same size as the surrounding pipe. For example, a 2” full port ball valve will be compatible with a 2” pipeline and it will have a 2” valve opening inside the ball. This is great for applications that require very little to no flow loss. When a full port valve is in the “on” or open position, it’s like there is no valve there at all. Flow is unrestricted.
In addition to full port valves there is also what is called a “reduced port” ball valve. As you may imagine, this means that the opening in the ball is smaller than full port valves. Actually, it is precisely one pipe size smaller. For instance, a 3/4” reduced port valve has a 1/2” pipe size ball opening. This smaller opening causes an increase in velocity.
Generally, full port ball valves are more expensive than standard or reduced port valves. Depending on the application, one or the other may be beneficial. When it comes to ball valves, though, all serve the same purpose – to provide an on/off or open/closed function in the pipeline.
