What is an Overflow Valve?
An overflow valve is a device commonly used in plumbing, electricity generation, and other applications in which pipes conduct pressurized materials to maintain pressure on the line above the valve. An overflow valve can also be installed as a safety device to prevent pressure buildup, and when used in combination with sensors and alarms, it can alert an operator to a problem along the line. Many consumers have an overflow valve or two around their homes, especially those who use propane fuel for heating and cooking. In most cases, an overflow valve has a pressure dial mounted on it, indicating the condition of the line. An overflow valve works by sensing the pressure up pipe from itself. The valve has a specified pressure level, which it maintains by use of a coil spring mechanism, which opens when the inlet, or downstream pressure, begins to rise while the upstream pressure goes down. In an emergency situation in which the inlet pressure is too high, some overflow valves are designed
