ball cock
Noun: A ball cock is a device that controls the water level in a tank, such as a toilet cistern or a water storage tank. It consists of a hollow, floating ball attached to a lever arm, which is connected to a valve. As the water level rises, the ball floats upward, eventually closing the valve to stop the inflow of water.
The term ball cock is used specifically to describe this mechanical valve mechanism. It is a technical term common in plumbing and household maintenance contexts. * The ball cock in the toilet tank was faulty, causing water to run continuously. * To fix the overflowing tank, you may need to adjust or replace the ball cock.
- "Stick a ball cock": This informal phrase can describe a ball cock that is malfunctioning because the float is stuck, preventing the valve from closing properly.
- The toilet kept running because the ball cock was stuck.
- Ball valve: A more general term for a valve controlled by a rotating ball with a hole through it. While related in concept, a standard ball valve is different from a ball cock, which uses a floating ball for level control.
- Float valve: A synonym for ball cock, emphasizing the function of the floating component.
- Fill valve: A modern term often used for newer, often plastic, versions of the device that perform the same function.
- Float valve
- Fill valve (modern usage)
The term ball cock refers exclusively to the described valve assembly for liquid level control. It is not used to refer to a ball used in sports, a spherical toy, or any other unrelated object.
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floating ball that controls level in a water tank
