The Georg Fischer Type 288 is a pneumatically actuated 3-way ball valve for PVC piping in sizes 3/8 to 2 inches (DN10–DN50). As an assembly, the Type 288 pairs the GF Type 543 3-way true-union ball valve body with a fully plastic PA11 or PA21 pneumatic rack-and-pinion actuator: the Type 543 body contributes the modular true-union design with PTFE ball seat and EPDM/FPM seals, while the actuator delivers 90-degree automated operation in fail-safe close, fail-safe open, or double-acting configuration. With the optional positioner, the valve can perform complex functions such as mixing chemicals or controlling process temperature by blending cooling water.

The valve body is based on the Type 543 platform, which is also available in CPVC, polypropylene, and PVDF with socket, threaded NPT, or spigot end connections — so this pneumatic ball valve series covers a wide range of chemical applications and, in many cases, extreme temperatures. Modularity allows changes in the field, such as retrofitting an actuator onto a manual valve, and the 3-way ball valve was designed to meet the high-demand world of industrial valves.