In a water system, what is typically used to isolate part of the system?

In a water system, a gate valve is typically used to isolate part of the system. Gate valves are designed to provide a straight-line flow with minimal pressure drop when fully opened and are ideal for applications where a tight shut-off is necessary. Their design allows them to completely stop the flow of water when closed, which makes them useful in situations where maintenance or repair work is needed on a specific section of the system.

Other types of valves have different purposes; for instance, ball valves can also provide isolation but are generally used for applications requiring quick and frequent operation, as they open and close quickly with a quarter turn. Check valves prevent backflow and are used to ensure that water flows in one direction, making them unsuitable for isolation purposes. Butterfly valves, while effective in regulating flow and allowing for quick operation, typically are not used for complete isolation due to their design, which can lead to slight leakage even when closed. Thus, gate valves are the preferred choice for isolating a portion of a water system.