Ball valve ports come in standard or full sizes. The difference can be summed up fairly simply:
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Full port: The valve port is the same diameter as the pipe.
Standard port: The valve port is smaller than the pipe’s diameter. Exact port size varies but generally the port size is that of one pipe size smaller than the valve in question.
As always, there are benefits, drawbacks and appropriate applications for each.
The straight flow path of a full port ball valve provides little to no resistance to the flow of liquid or gas, and thus creates very minimal pressure drop when fully open.
This ensures that the valve does not reduce flow rate and reduces the chance of cavitation, which is the formation of air bubbles caused by liquid pressure drop. Frequent or intense cavitation can erode or cause damage to a piping system over time.
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That being said, when taking the entire application piping system into consideration, it is rare for the ball valve to be the bottleneck when it comes to flow rate. We will cover this in more detail later.
Because standard port ball valves have an opening that is typically one size smaller than the pipe diameter, they cause a larger pressure drop even when fully open. This is because media is constricted slightly as it passes through the valve, increasing the pressure and causing a potential cavitation risk in applications where the smaller port size may cause a rapid pressure drop.
Standard port ball valves are typically more economical than full port designs when considered for the same pipe size since they have smaller bodies that correspond to their narrower port. They are available in the same or lower pressure ratings compared to full port ball valves.
Full port valve provide a flow diameter that is the same as the inlet/outlet ports. So, for example a 3/4" full port will be 3/4" throughout.
A "standard" does NOT provide that and a 3/4" standard has a flow diameter restriction of something less than 3/4". Likely closer to 1/2".
Why use one over the other? Full port costs more and takes up more space and offers little benefit for many applications. So unless you have a specific need, chances are that the standard valve will be just fine.
If you have concerns about the flow or it's a relatively high-flow line then use a full port.
Generally the same principles apply to any fluid, water or gas, but gas is a compressible flow and is affected somewhat less. Gas, at least as used in homes, rarely flows at a rate comparable to water. But in some cases it may be needed to use full port.
Knowing when to use one vs. the other is not always obvious. This is why engineers go to college for 4 years or plumbers apprentice for several years.
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