Written by Jessie, Senior Product Manager at Movafafh, with 10 years of experience in product management.
A stainless steel on-off motorized valve is a ball valve with an electric actuator that moves between two positions, fully open and fully closed. Once you've decided on stainless, three choices remain: the voltage that matches your power source, the wiring type that matches how you want to control it, and the size that matches your pipe. This guide walks through each one for the Movafafh motorized stainless steel ball valve range, so you can pick the right stainless motorized ball valve without reading every product page.
What Does "On-Off" Mean on a Motorized Valve?
On-off means the valve goes to fully open or fully closed and nothing in between. It is the simplest and most common type of motorized ball valve, and it is what you want for switching a water line on and off, filling or draining a tank, or isolating a section of pipe. If you need to hold a valve at 30% open to control flow, you need a modulating valve instead, which is a different product.
How Do You Choose the Voltage?
Match the valve to the power you already have. The Movafafh stainless steel listings cover several supplies, and the exact options vary by model, so read the voltage line in the title or the options on the page.
| Your power source | What to look for | Example stainless model |
|---|---|---|
| 5V electronics | A 5V DC option | The 3/4" stainless 2-wire lists 5V DC |
| 12V battery | 12V DC, or a 9-24V model | The 3/4" stainless 2-wire lists 12V DC and 9-24V ADC |
| 24V DC panel | 24V DC, or a 9-24V model | The 3/4" stainless 2-wire lists 24V DC and 9-24V ADC |
| 110–230V mains | A mains-voltage option | The 3/4" stainless 2-wire lists 110-230V AC |
Not every model offers every voltage. For example, the 1/2" stainless 3-wire model is listed with 5V DC, 9-35V DC and 220V AC. Our 12V vs. 24V guide explains how to read the voltage codes, including the difference between DC-only and AC/DC.
How Do You Choose the Wiring Type?
The wiring type decides how you control the valve, and it also sets what the valve does when power is removed.
| Wiring type | How it works | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| 2-wire auto return | Red to positive, black to negative. The valve moves when powered and returns to its default position when power is removed. | Simple on/off with a switch, or fail-to-default behavior |
| 3-wire, 1-point | Black is common, and red and green go to positive to open. On the listing, disconnecting the green wire closes the valve. | A control signal that switches the valve without cutting main power |
| 3-wire, 2-point | Separate signals for open and close. | Controllers that drive open and close independently |
Check the default position too, because it varies by listing. The 3/4" stainless 2-wire is listed as normally closed, while the 1" stainless 2-wire ADC9-24V is listed as normally open, and the listings say a normally open version is available on request for some models. Our 2-wire auto-return guide and 2-wire vs 3-wire guide go deeper on how each type behaves.
How Do You Choose the Size?
Match the valve to the nominal size of your pipe, and use flow only to break a tie. The stainless range includes 1/2" (DN15), 3/4" (DN20) and 1" (DN25), with a 1-1/4" (DN32) 3-wire model for larger lines. The 1/2", 3/4" and 1" models we checked list NPT and BSPP thread options, so check your thread before ordering. Our size guide has the inch-to-DN conversion chart and our NPT vs. BSP guide explains the threads.
What Are the Operating Limits of These Valves?
On the 3/4" and 1/2" stainless models we checked, the listings give a 304 stainless steel body, a PTFE ball seal, a maximum medium pressure of 1.0 MPa and a flow medium range of 0 to 100 °C. The actuators are listed at 2.5 N·m max torque and a 3 to 5 second operating time, with an IP67 rating and a manual override hand-wheel. Check the specific listing for your size, because larger models such as the 1-1/4" 3-wire are titled with a higher torque.
For potable water, the 3/4" listing describes the stainless body as suitable for food-grade and potable water applications. If you need a specific drinking-water certification, ask us for the details before ordering. For a comparison of brass, stainless steel and UPVC bodies, see our existing material guide.
Which Stainless Valve Should You Pick?
| If you need | Start with |
|---|---|
| A simple stainless valve for a 3/4" line, with a wide choice of voltages | 3/4" stainless steel, 2-wire |
| A 1" stainless valve on a 12V or 24V supply | 1" stainless steel ADC9-24V |
| A 1/2" stainless valve with 3-wire control | 1/2" stainless steel, 3-wire |
| A larger line | 1-1/4" stainless steel, 3-wire |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a stainless steel on-off motorized valve used for?
It switches a line fully on or fully off using an electric actuator. Typical uses are water supply, tank filling and draining, and isolating a section of pipe.
Can a stainless motorized ball valve run on 12V?
Yes, if the model lists 12V DC or a 9-24V range. For example, the 3/4" stainless 2-wire lists 12V DC and 9-24V ADC.
Is a 2-wire or 3-wire valve better?
A 2-wire valve is simpler and returns to its default position when power is removed. A 3-wire valve lets a control signal open and close it. Pick based on how you want to control it.
Are stainless motorized ball valves normally open or normally closed?
It depends on the listing: the 3/4" stainless 2-wire is listed as normally closed and the 1" stainless 2-wire as normally open. Check the listing or ask us for the other default.
Are Movafafh stainless valves waterproof?
The listings we checked are rated IP67 and recommend a shelter or protective box for permanent outdoor installation.
The Takeaway
Choose the voltage by your power source, the wiring by how you want to control the valve, and the size by your pipe. Check the default position (normally open or closed) on the listing, because it differs between models. Movafafh's stainless range runs from 1/2" to 1-1/4" in 304 stainless steel, and the models we checked have IP67 actuators and a manual override. Browse the full motorized ball valve range or start with the 3/4" stainless steel 2-wire valve.
Keep Exploring
- Choosing the voltage? Read the 12V vs. 24V guide.
- Choosing the size? See the motorized ball valve size guide.
- Want more guides like this one? Visit the Movafafh blog.
- New to Movafafh? Head to the Movafafh homepage.
