Technical information / Test / EN 12266-1
Valve test standard
EN 12266-1
Pressure testing and leakage rates of metallic valves
Every valve undergoes a shell and seat test after manufacture. The product standard or the order specifies which leakage rate (A–G) applies.
| Rate | Factormm³/s × DN | mm³/sDN100 | ml/min | drops/min | Over the test60 s · ml |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | No visible leakage | ||||
| B | 0.01 | 1 | 0.06 | 0.96 | 0.06 |
| C | 0.03 | 3 | 0.18 | 2.9 | 0.18 |
| D | 0.1 | 10 | 0.6 | 9.6 | 0.6 |
| E | 0.3 | 30 | 1.8 | 28.8 | 1.8 |
| F | 1 | 100 | 6 | 96 | 6 |
| G | 2 | 200 | 12 | 192 | 12 |
Notes
- This table has been compiled by Emsal from the relevant standards. For the full text of the standard, refer to your national standards body.
- The shell test is performed with liquid at 1.5 × PS with the valve partly open; there must be no leakage from the body or bonnet joint. The seat test is performed with the valve closed and pressure applied from one side: with liquid at 1.1 × PS or with gas at 6 ± 1 bar.
- PS is the valve's maximum allowable pressure at room temperature; for steel PN valves it usually equals the PN value.
- Leakage rates apply with the test medium discharging to atmosphere. Rate A means "no visible leakage": no drops or bubbles may form during the test.
- Conversions: 1 ml = 16 drops; 1 bubble ≈ 65 mm³ (from the factors in the standard's table). Minimum seat test duration: 15 s up to DN50 (60 s for check valves), 60 s for DN65–150, 120 s for DN200 and above.
- Soft-seated valves usually require rate A; metal-seated valves B–D depending on the product standard.
- Accuracy and currency are not guaranteed; use the current edition of the standard for design and purchasing decisions. How the library is compiled →
Related pages
| 1 | American test standard API 598 → |
| 2 | PN and Class equivalents Pressure classes → |
| 3 | Other test and emission standards Standards index → |