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A check valve (also known as a retention, non-return or one-way valve) is a device designed to prevent backflow in a piping system. It is essentially a one-way gate that utilises the changes in water pressure within the pipes to open/close. As the fluid flows through the intended direction, the valve remains open and allows it to pass through. If the fluid flow direction reverses, the change in pressure will cause the valve to close, creating a seal to restrict backflow.
As mentioned above, a check valve is designed to prevent backflow in piping. Other purposes include:
Here are some common types of check valves:
A check valve symbol is a graphical representation of this device in a P&ID schematic. It is comprised of a triangle with two horizontal lines extending from two opposite sides of the triangle with a vertical line inserted into the meeting point between the triangle’s point and the horizontal line.
The horizontal lines represent the check valve’s inlet and outlet parts, while the triangle and vertical line indicate that the flow is allowed upstream but backflow is restricted.
Manually drawing a check valve symbol for a P&ID can be difficult and time-consuming. With Capital X Panel Designer, you can skip this procedure entirely by simply browsing through our library of pre-made P&ID symbols and then dragging and dropping them into your schematic. This easy-to-use electrical CAD software will provide a huge boost to your productivity.
Learn more about how to create custom electrical symbols.