Inst ToolsInst ToolsInst Tools
  • Courses
  • Automation
    • PLC
    • Control System
    • Safety System
    • Communication
    • Fire & Gas System
  • Instrumentation
    • Design
    • Pressure
    • Temperature
    • Flow
    • Level
    • Vibration
    • Analyzer
    • Control Valve
    • Switch
    • Calibration
    • Erection & Commissioning
  • Interview
    • Instrumentation
    • Electrical
    • Electronics
    • Practical
  • Q&A
    • Instrumentation
    • Control System
    • Electrical
    • Electronics
    • Analog Electronics
    • Digital Electronics
    • Power Electronics
    • Microprocessor
  • Request
Search
  • Books
  • Software
  • Projects
  • Process
  • Tools
  • Basics
  • Formula
  • Power Plant
  • Root Cause Analysis
  • Electrical Basics
  • Animation
  • Standards
  • 4-20 mA Course
  • Siemens PLC Course
Reading: Why Valve Type Matters ? Poppet vs Spool Valves
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Inst ToolsInst Tools
Font ResizerAa
  • Courses
  • Design
  • PLC
  • Interview
  • Control System
Search
  • Courses
  • Automation
    • PLC
    • Control System
    • Safety System
    • Communication
    • Fire & Gas System
  • Instrumentation
    • Design
    • Pressure
    • Temperature
    • Flow
    • Level
    • Vibration
    • Analyzer
    • Control Valve
    • Switch
    • Calibration
    • Erection & Commissioning
  • Interview
    • Instrumentation
    • Electrical
    • Electronics
    • Practical
  • Q&A
    • Instrumentation
    • Control System
    • Electrical
    • Electronics
    • Analog Electronics
    • Digital Electronics
    • Power Electronics
    • Microprocessor
  • Request
Follow US
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.
Inst Tools > Blog > Instrumentation Design > Why Valve Type Matters ? Poppet vs Spool Valves

Why Valve Type Matters ? Poppet vs Spool Valves

Last updated: December 23, 2015 5:49 pm
Editorial Staff
Instrumentation Design
No Comments
Share
3 Min Read
SHARE

Poppet vs. Spool Valves, Why Valve Type Matters

Contents
PoppetSpool

When selecting 2-Way and 3-Way valves for your pneumatic circuit, be sure to take the internal design of the valve into consideration.  While overall function is the same, the use of a poppet or a spool may have an unexpected impact on your application.  Both of these valve styles, as well as their advantages and disadvantages, are explained below.

Poppet vs Spool Valves

Poppet

A poppet is a valve component which covers an internal passage and is held in place by air pressure and a spring (Figure A).  Pneumatic 2-Way & 3-Way valves with an internal poppet design require the combination of a spring & air pressure to hold the valve in the unactuated position.  When actuated, a stem pushes the poppet away from the seat to allow air flow.

Advantages

  • The larger internal surface area required by the poppet results in a higher flow rate than spool-style valves
  • Closed crossover – the poppet seals the exhaust port before it opens to flow, therefore, there is no transitional state from one function to the next providing the operator precise control between positions
  • Less wear on internal seals contributes to a longer product life
  • Upon actuation, the port is immediately open to air flow providing faster response times

Disadvantages

  • Poppet valves are unbalanced; pressure must be supplied under the poppet to hold the valve in the unactuated position
  • Typically not recommended for use with vacuum
  • A higher force to actuate is required since both the spring and the air pressure must be overcome to allow air flow
  • Back pressure can open the valve if supply pressure is removed, therefore, poppet valves are not a good choice for holding pressure downstream

Spool

A spool is a valve component which features seals mounted along its surface (Figure B).  When the valve is actuated, the spool shifts causing the seals to travel along the bore, opening ports to allow air flow.

Advantages

  • Spool valves can be used as Selector Valves providing the ability to choose from high and low pressures or vacuum and pressure
  • Spool-style valves are not affected by pressure, therefore, less force is required to actuate the valve
  • Able to be used with vacuum
  • Spool valves are balanced; pressure entering the valve from any given port does not affect the movement of the spool
  • Can be used to lock pressure downstream

Disadvantages

  • Open crossover – all ports are momentarily open to flow as the spool shifts during actuation
  • Lower flow rate than poppet-style valves due to the smaller internal surface area required by the spool
  • Seals mounted on the spool are exposed to wear when traveling through the bore of the valve, shortening product life

Also Read: Solenoid Operated Valves & Latching Valves

Don't Miss Our Updates
Be the first to get exclusive content straight to your email.
We promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Invalid email address
You've successfully subscribed !

Continue Reading

Pressure Gauge Maintenance and Troubleshooting
Temperature Sensor Failure
Guided Wave Radar Level Sensor Pressure and Temperature Effects
Motor Control Circuits
All About Turbine Meters
What is Nest Loading? – DCS and PLC Control Systems
Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn Copy Link
Share
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Stay Connected

128.3kFollowersLike
69.1kFollowersFollow
210kSubscribersSubscribe
38kFollowersFollow

Categories

Explore More

Thermowell Problems
Instrument Air Compressor Control Philosophy
Signal Coupling and Cable Separation
How to Avoid Process Downtime ?
How to Calculate Heat Load in Electrical/Electronic Panel Enclosure
All About Variable Area Flow Meters
How to Select a Pressure Gauge
Basic Calculations of Instrument Air

Keep Learning

Motor Primary Resistance Starter

Electrical Motor Starter Circuits

Thermowell Immersion Length

Thermowell Insertion and Immersion Length

Pneumatic Valves and Cylinders Sizing

Pneumatic Valves and Cylinders Sizing – Part 2

Purpose of Instrument Loop Diagrams

Purpose of Loop Diagrams

% of Reading vs. % of Full Scale Accuracy

% of Reading vs. % of Full Scale Accuracy

Cable Trays

Types of Cable Trays – Purpose, Advantages, Disadvantages

Instrumentation and Control (I&C) Design

Instrumentation and Control (I&C) Design

IS Loop Formula

Difference between Intrinsic Safe and Non-Intrinsic Safe Cables

Learn More

Control Valves Multiple Choice Questions

Control Valves Multiple Choice Questions

Confined Space

9 Life-Saving Rules for Oil and Gas Industry

ORP Measurement

Basics of ORP Measurement

Instrument Switch Status

Define Normal Status of a Process Switch ?

Pressure Transmitter Basics

Pressure Transmitter Applications

Diodes Voltage Quadrupler

Diodes Voltage Quadrupler

Batteries MCQ - Multiple Choice Questions

Batteries MCQ – Multiple Choice Questions

Site Commissioning Steps for PLC Programmers

Site Commissioning Steps for PLC Programmers

Menu

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Copyright

Quick Links

  • Learn PLC
  • Helping Hand
  • Part Time Job

YouTube Subscribe

Follow US
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?