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A gate valve symbol represents a mechanical valve used to control fluid flow in a pipeline by raising or lowering a gate inside the valve body. In P&ID and schematic diagrams, it is typically drawn as two triangles pointing toward each other with a line through them, showing the valve mechanism. The symbol may include annotations to indicate whether the valve is normally open (NO) or normally closed (NC), as well as actuation type and operational specifications.
While both control flow, their symbols differ in structure and function. The globe valve symbol shows a constricted or curved path to indicate throttling capability, whereas the gate valve symbol uses triangles with a straight closure line to represent simple on/off control without flow modulation.
Gate valve symbols vary based on actuation method and operational state. Common types include manual gate valves, motor-operated gate valves, pneumatically actuated gate valves, and hydraulically actuated gate valves. Each type may be shown in normally closed (NC) or normally open (NO) configurations, with specific markings to indicate the actuation mechanism.
The gate valve NC (normally closed) symbol represents a valve that remains closed when not actuated, meaning flow must be intentionally opened. The gate valve NO (normally open) symbol represents a valve that allows flow by default and must be actuated to close. These designations help engineers design control systems with specific default flow configurations.
Accurate use of gate valve symbols in P&ID and schematic diagrams helps engineers ensure correct flow control, safety compliance, and consistent documentation across multidisciplinary design teams. Recognizing these symbols during design reviews and troubleshooting is essential for system integrity.
You can access standardized gate valve symbols in Capital X Panel Designer's schematic symbol library, ensuring compliance with common electrical and process design standards. This electrical CAD software allows you to quickly insert the appropriate gate valve symbols into your designs, improving workflow efficiency.
Learn more about how to create custom electrical symbols.