Written by Jessie, Senior Product Manager at Movafafh, with 10 years of experience in product management.
A 3 way electric ball valve has three ports instead of two, so one valve can send flow to either of two outlets or combine two inlets into one. The part that decides which of those jobs it can do is the port type, L or T, and the part that decides how you run it is the actuator wiring. This guide explains the difference between the two port types, shows what the Movafafh 3 way motorized ball valve range offers, and walks through the wiring and control basics.
What Does a 3 Way Electric Ball Valve Do?
A 3 way valve replaces a tee fitting plus two separate 2-way valves, so a motorized ball valve 3 way setup has one valve and one actuator to wire instead of two. The three ports are usually labelled A, B and C. In a typical diverting setup, A is the common port and the ball turns to connect it to either B or C.
That makes it a good fit for jobs like switching water between a main and a backup line, routing flow to one of two tanks, or sending flow around a filter or heat exchanger during maintenance. With a motor on top, the switch happens automatically rather than by hand. If you are new to the idea, our guide to 2-way and 3-way electric ball valves covers the basics.
What Is the Difference Between L-Port and T-Port?
An L-port valve connects the common port to one other port at a time, and never to both. A T-port valve has a T-shaped passage, so depending on its design and stop positions it can also connect two ports at once or all three. The diagram shows the flow paths.
| L-port | T-port | |
|---|---|---|
| Flow paths | Common port to one outlet at a time | Can connect two or all three ports, depending on the pattern |
| Best for | Diverting: switching flow between two outlets | Mixing or blending two inlets into one outlet |
| Isolation between outlets | Clean: the unused outlet is blocked | Depends on the pattern; cross-flow is possible |
| Typical examples | Main/backup line switching, alternating between tanks | Blending hot and cold water, combining two supplies |
Because T-port patterns differ between manufacturers, always check the maker's flow diagram before you pipe one in, as this L-port vs. T-port selection guide from Assured Automation also points out.
Which Type Do You Need: L-Port or T-Port?
Choose L-port if you want to switch flow between two outlets, and T-port only if you really need to combine flows. Diverting is the more common job, and it is the one an L-port valve does cleanly because it never connects both outlets together. Mixing needs a T-port, but a two-position valve only switches between its positions. It does not set a blending ratio, so if you need to hold a particular mixed temperature, you need a different kind of valve.
Which 3 Way Valves Does Movafafh Offer?
The Movafafh 3 way valves we currently list are all L-port, in brass and stainless steel, with a 2-wire auto-return actuator, a position indicator and a manual override. If you are searching for a 3 way ball valve with actuator that is ready to wire, these arrive with the actuator fitted.
| Size | Brass | Stainless steel |
|---|---|---|
| 1/2" (DN15) | Not listed | 1/2" stainless steel 3 way electric ball valve |
| 3/4" (DN20) | 3/4" brass 3 way motorized ball valve | 3/4" stainless steel 3 way motorized ball valve |
| 1" (DN25) | 1" brass 3 way motorized ball valve | 1" stainless steel 3 way electric ball valve |
All are listed for ADC9-24V. The listings give the brass models a 2.5 N·m max torque and a 3 to 5 second operating time, with a maximum medium pressure of 1.0 MPa. If you are unsure about the size, see our motorized ball valve size guide. If your application needs a T-port valve, tell us what you want to do and we'll tell you whether we can supply one.
How Do You Wire a 3 Way Motorized Ball Valve?
The 2-wire models take a simple two-wire connection: red to positive and black to negative. The listing describes it that way, and notes that you can fit an on/off switch in line with the red wire for a simple setup.
A 2-wire auto-return actuator has two states: powered, and unpowered. On a 3 way valve, those two states correspond to the two flow positions. When power is removed the valve returns to its default position, and the listings state that by default this is the "normally closed" position, with a normally open version available on request. The pages don't spell out which pair of ports is connected in each state, so confirm that with us before you plumb the valve in. Our 2-wire auto-return wiring guide explains how the return works.
How Do You Control a 3 Way Electric Ball Valve?
You control a 3 way electric ball valve by switching power on and off. A manual switch is the simplest option, and a relay lets a timer, controller or microcontroller do the switching, since a microcontroller pin typically can't supply the current directly. Our 12V vs. 24V voltage guide covers choosing the supply.
Two details from the listings are worth planning for. First, the auto-return works through a capacitor, and the listing says the valve should be powered for about a minute to charge it before you rely on it closing on power loss. Second, these valves are not proportional: they move between positions rather than holding a point in between. If you need to override the valve by hand, the models include a hand-wheel, described in our manual override guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between L-port and T-port?
An L-port connects the common port to one outlet at a time, which suits diverting. A T-port can connect two or all three ports depending on its design, which suits mixing.
Can a 3 way electric ball valve mix hot and cold water?
Mixing is a T-port job, but a two-position valve only switches between positions and doesn't set a blend ratio. If you need a steady mixed temperature, use a valve designed to modulate.
Are Movafafh 3 way valves L-port or T-port?
The 3 way models we list are L-port. If you need a T-port, contact us with your application.
How many wires does a Movafafh 3 way motorized ball valve have?
The models listed above are 2-wire auto-return: red to positive and black to negative.
What happens to a 3 way valve when power is lost?
It returns to its default position, which the listings give as normally closed unless you ask for normally open. Confirm which ports that connects before you pipe it.
The Takeaway
Choose L-port to divert flow between two outlets and T-port to combine flows. The Movafafh 3 way range is L-port, wired with two wires and available in brass and stainless steel from 1/2" to 1". Confirm the default flow path with us before you plumb it in, and add a relay if a controller will switch it. Browse the full motorized ball valve collection, or start with the 3/4" brass 3 way motorized ball valve.
Keep Exploring
- New to 3 way valves? Read Understanding 2-Way and 3-Way Electric Ball Valves.
- Wiring questions? See the 2-wire auto-return wiring guide.
- Want more guides like this one? Visit the Movafafh blog.
- New to Movafafh? Head to the Movafafh homepage.
