--- title: 3-Way Vs. 2-Way Valves in Chilled Water Systems | Baelz NA | Baelz North America description: Regulating the flow of a fluid by varying the size of the opening through which the chilled fluid passes, chilled water control valves are key components in fluid pipelines. image: https://info.baelzna.com/hubfs/hub_generated/resized/7f5ae1fe-9d84-47d7-86b8-4fc6dd1e6d45.jpeg --- ![Exit](https://info.baelzna.com/hubfs/img/ico-exit.svg) - [Data Sheets](https://info.baelzna.com/lp-datasheets-manuals-download) - [Product Brochure](https://info.baelzna.com/lp-company-brochure) - [Blog](https://info.baelzna.com/blog) - [Services](https://baelzna.com/services/) - [Industries](https://baelzna.com/industries/) - [Catalog](https://catalog.baelzna.com/category/all-categories) [+1 844-223-5962 (toll free)](tel:+18442235962) [Sign In to Purchase](https://cart.thomasnet-navigator.com/Login/account/signin?ReturnUrl=%2fLogin%2fissue%2fwsfed%3fwa%3dwsignin1.0%26wtrealm%3dhttp%253a%252f%252fcnsso.thomasnet-navigator.com%252fadfs%252fservices%252ftrust%26wctx%3dRPUrl%253dhttps%25253a%25252f%25252fcart.thomasnet-navigator.com%25252fsso%25252f%255cBaseUrl%253dhttp%25253a%25252f%25252fcnsso.thomasnet-navigator.com%25252fadfs%25252fservices%25252ftrust%255cProtocolID%253dwsfed%255cId%253did-73efa8e7-be78-47fd-a8d0-2d77535575e8%255cwtrealm%253dhttps%25253a%25252f%25252fcart.thomasnet-navigator.com%25252fsso%25252f%255cwctx%253dhttp%25253a%25252f%25252fbaelzna.thomasnet-navigator.com%25252f%25253ftoken%25253dCB50tBlyq1Hu9IRdLRgYXLmsDA-GyfhS0RQDdsaxpUQ%25252c&wa=wsignin1.0&wtrealm=http%3a%2f%2fcnsso.thomasnet-navigator.com%2fadfs%2fservices%2ftrust&wctx=RPUrl%3dhttps%253a%252f%252fcart.thomasnet-navigator.com%252fsso%252f%5cBaseUrl%3dhttp%253a%252f%252fcnsso.thomasnet-navigator.com%252fadfs%252fservices%252ftrust%5cProtocolID%3dwsfed%5cId%3did-73efa8e7-be78-47fd-a8d0-2d77535575e8%5cwtrealm%3dhttps%253a%252f%252fcart.thomasnet-navigator.com%252fsso%252f%5cwctx%3dhttp%253a%252f%252fbaelzna.thomasnet-navigator.com%252f%253ftoken%253dCB50tBlyq1Hu9IRdLRgYXLmsDA-GyfhS0RQDdsaxpUQ%252c) [![Baelz NA logo](https://info.baelzna.com/hubfs/img/baelz-automatic-onblk-logo.png "Baelz NA logo")North America](https://baelzna.com) [Menu](https://info.baelzna.com/blog/chilled-water-system-valves#menu)[+1 844-223-5962](tel:+18442235962) Close - 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[Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Regulating the flow of a fluid by varying the size of the opening through which the chilled fluid passes, chilled water [control valves](https://baelzna.com/products/control-valves/) are key components in fluid pipelines. In general, control valves consist of an electronic controller, which houses the modulating elements; a positioner, which determines the degree to which the valve opens; and an actuator, which initiates the mechanical movement of the controlling element. As a critical part of any fluid pipeline, the control valve helps regulate the fluid flow between the minimum requirement and the maximum installed capacity of the pipeline. These valves are often referred to as final control elements. ![control valves.jpg](https://info.baelzna.com/hubfs/control%20valves.jpg) ## **Chilled Water Valve Actuators** Actuators are a critical part of the control valve. The chilled water actuator valve, in a chilled water system environment, initiates a physical change in the system by moving a modulating element such as a ball or a butterfly. [Actuators](https://baelzna.com/products/actuators/) are available in various types; the specific type used will depend on the method used to create the control action. [Pneumatic actuators](https://baelzna.com/products/actuators/pneumatic-linear/) — the most commonly used models — employ air signals from the controller to initiate mechanical movement of the modulating element. Similarly, a spring return actuator utilizes spring force. Such actuators are unidirectional due to the spring motion employed. Double-acting actuators, meanwhile, employ pistons and can also move in both directions. Finally, hydraulic actuators employ an incompressible fluid, such as water, instead of air to achieve mechanical movement. ## **The Differences Between 3-Way Valves and 2-Way Valves** Valves can also be differentiated based on the number of openings they have. 2-way valves and 3-way valves in chilled water systems are two of the most common types utilized in this environment. A 2-way valve is a straightforward device with two openings, one for inlet and the other for outlet. These chilled water control valves simply regulate the flow of the fluid through them by varying the size of the valve opening, and can work as on/off devices. A [3-way valve](https://info.baelzna.com/blog/2-way-vs-3-way-valves), as the name implies, has three openings. When functioning as a two-inlet, single-outlet system, these valves can be used for mixing fluids. When working as a single-inlet, two-outlet system, they can be used as diverting chilled water valves, which divert part of the flow in another direction. ### **Retrofitting a 3-Way Valve Into a 2-Way Valve** At times, a three-way valve may be used as a two-way valve within certain industrial systems. In simple terms, this involves closing one of the three openings on the valves; the bypass line is blocked so that the fluid entering through one side has no option but to exit through the other. However, once this is done, it is necessary to recalibrate the actuator, which is calibrated such that it shows its maximum value when the valve is in its fully open position. [**>> Request a quote today!**](https://info.baelzna.com/lp-request-a-quote) ## **Chilled Water Control Valves**   Both 3-way and 2-way valves can serve many purposes. They are both employed in chilled water systems as previously mentioned. The decision over whether to use a 2-way or 3-way valve is made at the design stage, based on application-specific design and cost considerations. For example, employing a 2-way valve at the outlet of the chiller provides the ability to modulate the supply to the cooling load, depending on the load requirement. This can lead to cost savings, as the load on the secondary pump will be reduced. However, two sets of pumps are necessary here for a constant flow supply to the chiller and a variable flow supply to the cooling load. Alternatively, a variable flow chiller can also be employed. A 3-way valve is best suited to applications requiring a constant flow rate. These valves are also ideal when fluid mixing is needed within the process flow.       ## **Valves from Baelz North America** Control valves, specifically chilled water control valves are crucial elements in fluid pipelines, allowing users to regulate critical process quantities such as fluid pressure, temperature, and fluid levels. The choice between a 2-way valve and a 3-way valve is ultimately a design decision based on cost considerations, operating conditions, the specific operating fluid, and the piping system. Supplying energy-saving engineered systems and components designed to control and regulate heat transfer media, Baelz North America (NA) — the official distributor of Baelz Automatic components — offers a wide range of affordable, high-quality controllers, actuators, and control valves. To learn more about their products, or request a three-way vs. two-way valve consultation, [visit their site](https://baelzna.com/?__hstc=233546881.4faf325c1c48ff2cb42bad4f03097d12.1596049045471.1596049045471.1596049045471.1&__hssc=233546881.1.1596049045471&__hsfp=148199361) today.  [![Download our Components Brochure](https://info.baelzna.com/hubfs/hub_generated/resized/7f5ae1fe-9d84-47d7-86b8-4fc6dd1e6d45.jpeg)](https://info.baelzna.com/lp-company-brochure) --- ## Comments ## Contact Us ![125+ Years Experience](https://info.baelzna.com/hubfs/experience.svg "125+ Years Experience") 125+ years experience ![Made in Germany](https://info.baelzna.com/hubfs/made-in-germany.svg "Made in Germany") German Engineered ![Certified Expertise](https://info.baelzna.com/hubfs/expertise.svg "Certified Expertise") Certified Expertise ### Posts by Topic - [Valves (8)](https://info.baelzna.com/blog/topic/valves) - [actuators (5)](https://info.baelzna.com/blog/topic/actuators) - [electric actuators (5)](https://info.baelzna.com/blog/topic/electric-actuators) - [Electric Linear Valve Actuators (4)](https://info.baelzna.com/blog/topic/electric-linear-valve-actuators) - [Pneumatic Linear Actuators (4)](https://info.baelzna.com/blog/topic/pneumatic-linear-actuators) - [Steam Ejectors (3)](https://info.baelzna.com/blog/topic/steam-ejectors) - [2-way valves (2)](https://info.baelzna.com/blog/topic/2-way-valves) - [3-way valves (2)](https://info.baelzna.com/blog/topic/3-way-valves) - [Valve Chatter (2)](https://info.baelzna.com/blog/topic/valve-chatter) - [Water Ejectors (2)](https://info.baelzna.com/blog/topic/water-ejectors) - [specialty actuator solutions (2)](https://info.baelzna.com/blog/topic/specialty-actuator-solutions) - [ANSI (1)](https://info.baelzna.com/blog/topic/ansi) - [DIN (1)](https://info.baelzna.com/blog/topic/din) - [E65 (1)](https://info.baelzna.com/blog/topic/e65) - [E66 (1)](https://info.baelzna.com/blog/topic/e66) - [Ejectors (1)](https://info.baelzna.com/blog/topic/ejectors) - [Waste Heat Recovery (1)](https://info.baelzna.com/blog/topic/waste-heat-recovery) - [three way valves (1)](https://info.baelzna.com/blog/topic/three-way-valves) - [two way valves (1)](https://info.baelzna.com/blog/topic/two-way-valves) - [valve sizing (1)](https://info.baelzna.com/blog/topic/valve-sizing) See All ### Recent Posts ### Information - [About Us](https://baelzna.com/about-us/) - [Privacy Policy](https://baelzna.com/ba-privacy-policy/) - [Contact Us](https://info.baelzna.com/lp-contact) - [Sitemap](https://baelzna.com/ba-sitemap/) ### Baelz North America - [Data Sheets](https://info.baelzna.com/lp-datasheets-manuals-download) - [Resources](https://baelzna.com/resources/) - [Product Catalog](https://catalog.baelzna.com/category/all-categories) - [Request a Quote](https://info.baelzna.com/lp-request-a-quote) ### Get In Touch - [![Facebook](https://info.baelzna.com/hubfs/img/ico-facebook.svg "Facebook") ![Facebook](https://info.baelzna.com/hubfs/img/ico-facebook-hover.svg "Facebook")](https://www.facebook.com/baelzna/) - [![Twitter](https://info.baelzna.com/hubfs/img/ico-twitter.svg "Twitter") ![Twitter](https://info.baelzna.com/hubfs/img/ico-twitter-hover.svg "Twitter")](https://twitter.com/BaelzNA) - [![Youtube](https://info.baelzna.com/hubfs/img/ico-youtube.svg "Youtube") ![Youtube](https://info.baelzna.com/hubfs/img/ico-youtube-hover.svg "Youtube")](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLaEh5gEA75CKRWmXk0xwTA) - [![LinkedIn](https://info.baelzna.com/hubfs/img/linkedin.svg "LinkedIn") ![LinkedIn](https://info.baelzna.com/hubfs/img/linkedin-hover.svg "LinkedIn")](https://www.linkedin.com/company/baelz-north-america) Baelz North America 4875 Deen RoadSuite 100Marietta, GA 30066 [+1 844-223-5962 (toll free)](tel:+18442235962) [sales@baelzna.com](mailto:sales@baelzna.com) © 2026 [Baelz North America](https://www.baelzna.com/), All Rights Reserved | Site created by [Thomas Marketing Services](https://business.thomasnet.com/) and Powered By [Navigator Platform](https://business.thomasnet.com/navigator)