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What purpose do Hydraulic Relief Valves serve?

Date: 04-03-2022

A relief valve, also known as a pressure relief valve, is a form of safety valve used to manage and restrict build up in a pressurised hydraulic system. Overpressure refers to any circumstance under which a system exceeds the maximum allowable working pressure specified in the design.

 The valves themselves are constructed with a ball, poppet or spool opposed by a spring and installed into a cavity or ported body.

 

These valves open in proportion to the increase in system pressure. This means they don't fly all the way open when the system is slightly overpressured.

 

Failure of a pressure relief valve usually occurs when the valve isn't properly sealed or when the seal is broken or damaged. Leaks can also happen when the pressure relief valve is operating too close to the set point.

 

So, what’s the difference between a relief valve and a safety valve? In simple terms, a relief valve is a device designed to control the pressure in a vessel or system to a specific set level. A safety valve, on the other hand, is a device used to let go excess pressure from a vessel or equipment when the pressure crosses a certain predetermined limit.

 

The three basic types of pressure-relief valves are conventional spring-loaded, balanced spring-loaded, and pilot-operated.

 

Armadillo Group stocks a range of relief valves that can be purchased online, or through our friendly customer service team.  Give us a call for more info. Find relief vales here