SpudFiles

what is the max pressure on a 1/2 inch pvc ball valve? thanks

sorry they vary, i have one here that is rated to 1600kpa and one that is certified for use on high pressure steam lines.

maybe find a manufacturer website and look.

I would trust it to 200 psi.

it should say on the handle or body.
Generally a pvc ball valve is rated to 150 psi for a sch 40 one, not sure about a sch 80 valve though

what about brass ones? i know the pipe says a max pressure of 420 psi but what do you think is a safe pressure? ( 1 inch )

Brass ones, i think they're good to 600 psi. I know most have a red coating on the handle which they print the ratings.
And when you say 1" pipe, do you mean pvc or brass ( I'm assuming pvc). If so then i wouldn't exceed 420 psi, probably be best to give a 100 psi safety margin, especially because pvc shrapenls when it bursts.

so no more than 250 psi would be ok?

I have seen 1/2" pvc blow at less than 100 psi, so your warned.

jon_89 wrote:so no more than 250 psi would be ok?

If you are going that high with the pressure, I would recommend using galvanized pipe, If you aren't already.

Galvanised steel or copper would be better. PVC should be fine, but if it does fail (which it can for any number of reasons), you will be in a lot of trouble. How do you plan on getting it to 250 psi anyway?

How do you plan on getting it to 250 psi anyway?

I would suggest a shock pump or compressor

I like working with copper, because its easy to work with, pressure safe (to reasonable extent) and looks good. The only problem is its price though

I've not actually seen any compressors which are less than industrial in cost that could produce over 150psi.

Aside from an air rifle compressor which as far as I could see was a mechanised manual pump with a cooling system... which does several thousand psi in small volumes.