Actuated 3-way ball valve
The MV-3DM three-way valve shipped with its rack-and-pinion actuator mounted — air operated, double acting or spring return.
Built to hold, built to last.
An actuated 3-way ball valve takes the walk out of switching a line: compressed air turns the ball, so one signal from the control panel switches, diverts or blends two streams. This is our MV-3DM three-way valve shipped as an air operated package — rack-and-pinion aluminum actuator mounted on the valve, ready to pipe.
Two actions are offered. Double acting (DA) uses air for both strokes and holds its last position if the supply drops. Spring return (SR) uses air one way and a spring the other, so on air loss the valve moves back to the position you chose. Pick DA to hold position, SR when the line must never sit in an unknown state.
The body machines dual ISO 5211 bolt patterns, so the actuator sits straight on the valve — no bracket, no coupling — and a solenoid valve, limit switch box or positioner can be added for control. Actuator size follows the valve: T50–T88 for double acting, one frame larger (T63–T100) for spring return.
Eight sizes: 1/4″, 3/8″, 1/2″, 3/4″, 1″, 1-1/4″, 1-1/2″ and 2″. The valve is the same investment-cast A351 CF8M (316) body as our manual three-way — PTFE seats, 1000 WOG, −20°C to 180°C — threaded PT from stock with NPT and PF to order.
Need the pilot valve as well? Our solenoid valve for pneumatic actuators is NAMUR direct mount, bolts straight onto this actuator, and ships assembled and tested with the valve.
- Double acting · DA
- Spring return · SR
- Body
- A351 CF8M (316)
- A351 CF8M (316)
- Made to order
- CF8 (304) to order
- CF8 (304) to order
- Size range
- 1/4″–2″
- 1/4″–2″
- Thread
- PT stock · NPT / PF to order
- PT stock · NPT / PF to order
- Seat
- PTFE
- PTFE
- Pressure
- 1000 WOG
- 1000 WOG
- Temperature
- −20°C to 180°C (valve)
- −20°C to 180°C (valve)
- Air supply
- 4–8 bar (60–116 psi)
- 4–8 bar (60–116 psi)
- Port
- T-port or L-port
- T-port or L-port
- Operation
- Air opens and closes — holds last position on air loss
- Air one way — spring returns to preset position on air loss
Built for essential flow control.
Every valve leak tested.
Each unit is checked for leakage before shipment.
Double acting or spring return — which one do I need?
Double acting (DA) uses air pressure for both strokes and stays where it is if the air supply fails. Spring return (SR) uses air one way and a spring the other, so on air loss it moves to its preset position on its own. If the line must never sit in an unknown state, pick SR; if the valve should hold its last position, pick DA.
What size actuator comes on each valve?
Double acting: T50 on 1/4″–3/4″, T63 on 1″–1-1/4″, T75 on 1-1/2″ and T88 on 2″. Spring return runs one frame larger — T63 to T100 — because the spring takes part of the air torque. Torque ratings are available on request.
What air supply does it need?
Clean, dry compressed air at 4–8 bar (about 60–116 psi). Standard control is on/off; add a solenoid valve for remote switching, a limit switch box for position feedback, or a positioner for modulating service.
How is this different from a solenoid valve?
A solenoid valve is driven directly by an electric coil and suits small, clean lines. This is a quarter-turn ball valve driven by an air actuator, so it handles larger sizes, higher pressure and dirtier media. In many systems a small solenoid valve pilots the air that drives this actuator.
Can I automate a manual three-way valve I already have?
Yes. Our manual three-way ball valve carries ISO-style mounting pads, so a quarter-turn actuator drops on later without a bracket. Order this assembled version when you want the valve and actuator delivered as one tested unit.
