The electric ball valve is a type of valve that combines a ball valve with an electric actuator. This combination allows for remote and automated control of fluid flow within a piping system.

The ball valve itself consists of a hollow, rotating spherical disc (or "ball") with a hole or port through its center. The ball is mounted within the valve body, and rotation of the ball controls the alignment of the port with the inlet and outlet of the valve. When the port is aligned with both the inlet and outlet, the valve is open, allowing fluid to flow through. When the port is perpendicular to the flow path, the valve is closed, blocking fluid flow.

The electric actuator, attached to the ball valve, provides the motive force to rotate the ball. This actuator is typically powered by electricity and controlled by a signal from a control system, such as a programmable logic controller (PLC) or a distributed control system (DCS). The control signal can be analog or digital, allowing for precise control of the valve position and, thus, the fluid flow rate.

Electric ball valves are widely used in various industries where automated fluid control is required, such as in chemical processing, water treatment, power generation, and HVAC systems. They offer advantages such as fast response time, high reliability, and ease of integration into automation systems. Additionally, they can be configured with various options, such as position feedback and fail-safe features, to meet specific application requirements.