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Control Valve Cv Sizing

ISA / ANSI · Liquid Sizing · Valve Authority

When to use: Use to size a two-way control valve on a hydronic coil. The required flow coefficient Cv = GPM × √(SG / ΔP) sets how much the valve must pass at its design pressure drop. For good controllability, the valve should take 25–50% of the variable-circuit pressure drop — this is the valve authority N = ΔPvalve / ΔPtotal. Aim for N ≥ 0.5; below 0.25 the installed characteristic distorts and the valve hunts. Pick the smallest standard Cv at or above the required value to avoid oversizing.

Valve Parameters
GPM
across valve
psi
variable circuit
psi
water = 1.0
SG
Recommended Valve
25
Standard Cv (≥ required)
0.38
Valve authority N
⚠ ACCEPTABLE AUTHORITY
17.89
Required Cv
Results
Required Cv17.89
Recommended Std Cv25
Valve Authority N0.38
Authority RatingAcceptable (0.25–0.5)
Design Flow40 GPM
Valve ΔP5 psi
Specific Gravity1.00
References
ISA / ANSI control valve sizing — liquid
Cv = GPM × √(SG / ΔP)
Valve authority N = ΔPvalve / ΔPtotal
Target authority N ≥ 0.5