02 May Slide Gates or Sluice Gates from Whipps, Inc.
Slide Gates VS. Sluice Gates
The two most popular products Whipps, Inc. manufactures are the slide and sluice gates. While they look almost exactly the same, the differences between them are critical to understand. Both products stop water flow, providing reliable water control solutions, and use an actuator to drive the stem that moves their slides. Let us clarify the differences between slide and sluice gates, as well as, describe what conditions and requirements each design satisfies.
What are Slide Gates?
Slide gates (AWWA-C513) are water control mechanisms designed for open-channel applications. Featuring neoprene side seals and invert seals, they provide a flush bottom to facilitate reliable sealing under both seating and unseating head conditions. The adjustable seals meet site requirements while maintaining an acceptable leakage rate of 0.05 GPM per foot of seating perimeter. Because of the open-channel accommodation, water can flow over the slide when in the closed position, which may be the desired result. Count on Whipps slide gates to maintain water levels and manage water treatment systems.
What are Sluice Gates?
Sluice gates (AWWA-C501) are water control mechanisms designed for in closed-channel or pipe systems, offering low leakage rates of 0.05 GPM per foot or better. They, too, feature neoprene seals on all four sides, non-metal-to-metal contact surfaces, and a self-adjusting design for consistent performance under high-pressure conditions. By installing a seal on each side of an enclosed opening, the sluice gates can handle higher head pressures while being installed several feet underground. We recommend such equipment in industrial water systems and hydroelectric power plants due to the amount of water flow that often occurs there.
Choosing the Right Gate: Application Considerations
One of the first considerations is whether or not the opening is an open-channel or close-channel (including pipes). Another aspect to consider is the size of the gate. Larger gates may require additional reinforcement or unique sealing configurations, which can influence whether a sluice or slide gate is a better fit. Next, it’s essential to assess the head pressure, the pressure exerted by the water against the gate. Sluice gates, designed for submerged and pressurized conditions in closed-channel or pipe systems, typically excel under higher head pressure, while slide gates perform reliably in open-channel applications with more predictable flow.
Flow direction also plays a major role. Understanding whether the gate must hold back water in one direction (seating head), both directions (seating and unseating), or resist unseating head is crucial to ensure the gate functions as intended. Application type or installation site also matters, whether it’s an open channel, closed conduit, or pipe, when determining the sealing and structural needs of the gate.
Lastly, the force required to operate the gate (manual, electric, or hydraulic) must match your facility’s operational capacity and safety requirements. By taking these considerations into account and consulting with experienced engineers, you can confidently choose a gate that will deliver reliable, low-leakage performance tailored to your specific water control needs.
Ask Our Sales Reps About Whipps Equipment
These factors indicate whether or not a fabricated stainless steel sluice gate is the optimal solution. By thoroughly evaluating your application needs and consulting our sales representatives and engineers, you can ensure a reliable, long-lasting water control system tailored to your specific requirements. Selecting between a stainless steel sluice gate and a stainless steel slide gate begins with a clear understanding of the application. These two gate types, though similar in appearance, serve different purposes and offer distinct performance advantages based on the type of opening water is flowing through.