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Check valve selection guide: swing vs dual-plate vs lift, cracking pressure, material and installation orientation explained.
A check valve (non-return valve) allows flow in one direction only, protecting pumps from reverse rotation, preventing contamination, and avoiding overfill. First define what you are protecting: a pump, a meter, a tank, or an entire process line. The protected asset dictates the type and closing speed you need.
Cracking pressure is the minimum upstream pressure that opens the disc. Too high and the valve restricts normal flow; too low and it may chatter. Standard Reguvale checks open at 0.007–0.035 MPa; we can supply higher cracking springs (0.03–0.35 MPa) on request.
Ductile iron with EPDM seat suits water and HVAC. Stainless steel (SS316) with Viton or PTFE suits chemicals and higher temperatures. For sour (H2S) service, specify NACE MR0175-compliant trim. See our material selection notes for guidance.
Swing check valves use a single hinged disc; they have the lowest pressure drop but are prone to water hammer in long vertical runs. Dual-plate (wafer) check valves use two spring-loaded plates — lighter, shorter, faster closing, and suitable for vertical piping.
Cracking pressure is the minimum upstream pressure to open the valve. For gravity-fed or low-pressure systems choose a low-cracking version (0.01–0.03 bar). For pump discharge, standard 0.05–0.07 bar is usually sufficient. Tell us your minimum operating pressure and we will specify the springs.
Swing checks work only for vertical downward flow (gravity assists closing). Dual-plate spring-loaded and lift checks can be installed vertically upward. Always confirm flow direction with our engineering team before ordering.
Use a spring-assisted or damped check valve, keep 5×DN straight pipe upstream, avoid sudden pump trips, and consider a surge tank. Dual-plate spring checks react faster and reduce reverse volume before closure.