Ball valves have a lever handle that opens and shuts the valve. They are more reliable than gate valves, and more likely to actually be able to open and close after years in an installation serving a hard-water area. The picture above at left comprises a drain assembly consisting of a brass hose adapter at left, the ball valve in the middle and a galvanized steel, plastic-lined dielectric nipple on the right.

The photo on the right is of typical gate valves serving as shutoffs.