Gas Changeover Valves – Automatic vs. Manual

Switching LPG cylinders is not exactly a difficult job, although for safety, some people hire licensed fitters to do it. It is a matter of personal choice whether or not to DIY the task. Either way, there are many options of changeover accessories in the market, such as manual changeover valves and automatic changeover valves. 

LPG kits come with changeover accessories that are needed to shift the path of fuel, as well as control its flow. In these kits would be regulators, piping, and of course, valves. Valves may be manual or automatic, and may be attached to one or several tanks at once. As of today, manual switching is still used in many homes around the world, although the majority has switched to automatic. Big commercial establishments, which also have bigger and more consistent gas needs, are using automatic valves for obvious reasons.

Automatic valves are now used everywhere in the world today, and anyone can even easily buy changeover accessories online. A single gas cylinder may be attached to another gas cylinder with the use of the valve, and there is no need for human assistance when switching. Whenever one cylinder goes empty, the valve indicator will flash a red light, and the indicator will automatically turn to the full cylinder, which would have taken over in supplying the gas. Automatic valves are normally left open to allow automatic switching. 

As one might assume, manual changeover valves don’t come with indicators that notify users whenever gas has run out. And because there are no indicators, users will simply know of the gas shortage as it presents itself. With a manual valve, one or more cylinders may also be connected at once. However, the empty cylinder’s valve will have to be manually turned clockwise to switch it off. Then the changeover valve can be turned towards the full cylinder, and then rotated counter-clockwise to switch it on.  

Automatic valves are good time and energy savers while ensuring consistent gas supply. Hence, hospitals, restaurants, hotels, and the like use them. Automatics also offer more inline security as they can detect incoming gas pressure, changing over to the other gas supply as the pressure dips. For smaller uses, such as in homes, manual valves are often more practical as automatics tend to be pricey. Either way, what’s good is that there is no shortage of these valves today, and anyone can readily buy gas changeover online.