What is the name of the valve designed for connecting a new water main to an existing main under pressure?

• A. Gate Valve
• B. Tapping Valve
• C. Ball Valve
• D. Check Valve

Answer: (B)

The main idea is identifying the device used to add a new section to a live water main without shutting it down. A tapping valve is designed for exactly that: it’s used in conjunction with a tapping sleeve to create a controlled connection into an existing pressurized main, allowing a new main to be tied in without stopping service. The tapping process involves drilling through the pipe wall while the line remains under pressure and then connecting the new line through the valve, establishing a secure, sealed branch.

In contrast, a gate valve is mainly for isolating flow, a ball valve is a general shutoff/control valve not specifically for live tapping, and a check valve prevents backflow. These do not provide the mechanism to create a new connection to a live main.