Share optimized solutions, professional valve knowledge and industry news

The Ultimate Guide to Electric Actuator for Valves

Any type of electric actuator is a device that uses power to drive a valve. This device assembly with a hand operator to open or close the valve, or an intelligent electronic component with sophisticated control and measurement devices to control the valve continuously working.
Table of Contents
    Add a header to begin generating the table of contents

    Type of Electric Actuators

    There are three types of electric actuators commonly used in industrial processes, which can use different electric power and operate various types of valves.

    1. Multi-Turn Electric Actuator

    Multi-Turn Electric Actuator

    The electrically driven multi-turn electric actuator is one of the most popular and reliable types of electric actuators. It uses a single-phase or three-phase electric motor to drive the gear or worm gear to finally operate the valve stem nut, and the stem nut makes the valve stem movement to open or close the valve.

    Multi-turn electric actuators can quickly drive large size valves. To protect the valve from damage, a limit switch sensor is installed at the end of the valve stroke for cuts off the motor power, and a torque-sensing device also cuts off the motor power when the safety torque is exceeded, a position switch is used to indicate the opening and closing status of the valve, and a handwheel mechanism with a clutch device is installed to operate the valve manually in case of power failure.

    multi-turn electric actuator for gate valve

    The main advantage of this type of electric actuator is that all components are mounted in one housing and all basic and advanced functions are integrated into this waterproof, dustproof, and explosion-proof housing. The main disadvantage is that when the power supply fails, the valve can only remain in the last position, and only with a backup power system can the valve achieve a fail-safe position (fail-open or fail-closed)

    2. Linear Output Electric Actuator

    linear output electric actuator

    This type of electric actuator is often used to operate globe valves, single-seat control valves, double-seat control valves, knife gate valves, and gate valves. The structure is simple, and reliable in operation, and it is easy to achieve fail-safe operation mode.

    linear output electric actuator for globe control valve
    linear output electric actuator for double seat control valve

    3. Electric 1/4 Turn Electric Actuator

    This kind of electric actuator is similar to the electric multi-turn electric actuator, the main difference is that the final output of the electric actuator is 1/4 turn to 90-degree movement. The new generation electric 1/4 turn electric actuator combines most of the complex functions of a multi-turn electric actuator, such as: using a non-access user-friendly operation interface to achieve parameter setting and diagnostic functions.

    quarter turn electric actuator for butterfly valve

    1/4 turn electric actuators are compact and can be mounted on small size valves, typically with an output torque of up to 2,000 NM, and they can be fitted with batteries for fail-safe operation.

    In summary, gate valves and globe valves are often equipped with multi-turn electric actuators, and butterfly valves and ball valves are commonly equipped with 1/4 turn electric actuators.

    electric actuator for butterfly valves
    electric actuator for ball valves
    electric actuator for butterfly valve2

    In industrial processes, there are various types of valves are used, which have different working principles, types of action, and different functions. For automated valves, the actuator rotates the valve disc angle or lifts the valve plug to control the opening and closing or modulating. The selection of electric actuator needs to be matched according to the requirements of the valve working conditions, such as rotary-stroke electric actuator is the output torque, while the linear-stroke electric actuator is the output displacement thrust.

    industrial valve manufacturer

    How to Select Electric Actuator for Valves Correctly?

    There are a large number of electric valves in power plants, as one of the terminal links of an automatic control loop, the right selection of electric actuator directly affects the performance of electric valves, because the electric valve plays a vital role in the power station, so the correct selection of electric actuator will affect the reliability, safety, economy of the entire power plant, and even the normal operation of the unit.

    1. Operating Condition of Valves

    According to the operating conditions of valves select control type electric actuator or on/off type electric actuator. In general, the electric actuator used for control valves is mainly regulating type, while electric gate valves and globe valves, etc. are usually assembled with on/off type electric actuators.

    2. Frequency of Valve Use Per Unit of Time

    When we choose to use the regulating or switching type valve electric actuator for an electric valve, the frequency of use of the valve in the unit time also determines which electric actuator should be selected.

    3. The Power of the Electric Actuator for Valves

    As the original control valve only regulates the flow rate or pressure without a tight shutoff function, the upstream usually installed a shut-off valve, so the leakage level of the control valve is commonly not high requirements. But with the increasing requirements of the control valve, and the development of power station design to large capacity, multi-parameter, the original valve electric actuator power can not meet the requirements, electric actuator also gradually began to use high-power products.

    For electric valves, only by choosing the right type of valve electric actuator can play a proper role. Therefore, when you choose the type for the actuator, try to choose a well-known brand, not only quality assurance, and can get technical support and spare parts in time.

    Any type of electric actuator is a device that uses power to drive a valve. This device assembly with a hand operator to open or close the valve, or an intelligent electronic component with sophisticated control and measurement devices to control the valve continuously working. With the development of microelectronics technology, electric actuators have become more complex. The early electric actuators were nothing more than motor gearing with position sensing switches. Today’s electric actuators have more advanced functions, they can not only open or close the valve but also detect the operating status of the valve and the electric actuator to provide various data for predictive maintenance.

    As more and more factories adopt automation control systems, manual operation is replaced by mechanical or automated equipment, people require electric actuators to play the role of interface between the control system and valve mechanical movement, and they also require electric actuators to enhance safety work and protection of the environment. On some dangerous occasions, the automated electric actuator device can reduce the injury of personnel. Some special valves require emergency opening or closing under special circumstances, and electric actuators for these valves can prevent further spreading of danger while minimizing plant damage. For some high pressure and large diameter valves, the required output torque is very large for the electric actuators, In this case, the required electric actuator must be mechanically efficient and use a high output motor so that it is stable enough to operate large diameter valves.

    Generally, after the design institute selects the valve type, then the valve manufacturer will match the electric actuator based on the automation requirements, and the electric actuator can be selected to refer below two basic types of valve operation.

    1. Rotary Valves (Electric Actuator for Ball Valve, Electric Actuator for Butterfly Valve)

    electric actuator for rotary valve butterfly
    electric actuator for rotary valve ball

    Rotary valves include plug valves, ball valves, butterfly valves, and dampers or baffles. These valves need electric actuators with 90-degree rotary operation with the required torque.

    2. Linear Type Valves(Sliding Stem, Electric Actuator for Control Valve)

    linear output electric actuator for globe control valves

    Linear type valves can be designed by non-rotating lifting stem or rotating non-lifting stem, or they need a multi-turn operation to drive the valve to the open or closed position. sliding stem valves include globe valves, gate valves, knife gate valves, etc. As an alternative, linear output pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders or membrane electric actuators are also can drive the above valves.

    Switching Control

    The biggest advantage of automatic control valves is that the valves can be operated from a remote location, which means that the operator can sit in the control room and control the production process without the need to be physically present to manually operate the valves on and off. One only needs to lay some piping to connect the control room to the electric actuator, and the drive energy is directly stimulated through the wiring to the electric actuator, usually with a 4-20mA signal to feedback the position of the valve.

    Continuous Control

    If an electric actuator is required to control parameters such as level, flow, or pressure of a process system, which is a job that requires the electric actuator to act frequently, a 4-20mA signal can be used as the control signal, however, this signal may change as frequently as the process. If required high-frequency action for the electric actuator,  then only select a special electric actuator that can start and stop the frequent action. When multiple electric actuators are required in a process, the installation costs can be greatly reduced by using a digital communication system that connects the individual electric actuators together. Digital communication loops allow for fast and efficient transmission of commands and the collection of information. There are various communication methods such as FOUNDATIONFIELDBUS, PROFIBUS, DEVICENET, HART, and PAKSCAN designed for valve electric actuators. Digital communication systems not only reduce investment costs but also collect a large amount of valve information that is valuable for predictive maintenance procedures for valves.

    Most of the above information applies to all kinds of valves, but the focus is different, for example: for butterfly valves, the friction in valve operation is negligible, but for plug valves, this friction value is very large. Different valves have different torque operating curves, for example: for the wedge gate valve, the opening and closing torque are very large, and during other strokes only packing friction and thread friction. When closing, the liquid static pressure acting on the gate increases the seat friction, and eventually, the wedge effect causes the torque to increase quickly until it is closed. Therefore, the change of the torque curve can predict the failure that will occur and can provide valuable information for predictive maintenance.

    8 Considerations During Selection of Electric Actuator for Valves

    Electric actuators are mechanical and electronic components devices which commonly used in industrial applications such as water treatment plants, chemical processing facilities, power generation, oil refineries, and other industries. Here are 8 considerations you should be careful about in the selection of electric actuators.

    1. Operating Torque

    Operating torque is the most important parameter for selecting a valve electric actuator device, the electric actuator output torque should be 1.2 to 1.5 times the maximum torque of the valve operation.

    2. Operating Thrust

    The mainframe structure of the valve electric device has two types: one is not configured with a thrust disk, it’s output torque directly.  The other is configured with a thrust disk, the output torque is converted to output thrust through the stem nut in the thrust disk.

    3. The Number of Turns of The Output Shaft

    The number of turns of the output shaft of the valve electric device is related to the nominal diameter of the valve, stem thread pitch, and thread head, to be calculated according to M = H / ZS (M is the total number of turns that the electric actuator should meet, H is the valve opening height, S is the stem drive thread pitch, Z is the number of stem thread head).

    4. Stem Diameter

    For a multi-turn type rising stem valve, if the electric device allows the maximum stem diameter to pass through the stem of the matched valve, it can not be assembled into an electric valve. so the inner dimension of the output shaft for the electric actuator should be larger than the outer diameter of the valve stem. For part of the rotary valve and multi-turn valve in the non-rising stem valve, although do not have to consider the stem diameter, in the matching should also consideration to the stem diameter and the size of the keyway, so that the assembly can work smoothly.

    5. Output Speed

    If the valve opening and closing speed are too fast, there is a risk of a water strike phenomenon. So, it is necessary to choose the suitable opening and closing speed based on various conditions.

    6. Motor

    After the determined all specification, then its control torque is also determined. Generally running in the predetermined time, the motor will not exceed the load.

    7. Control Model

    Valve electric actuator is divided into switching type and regulating type, regulating actuator signal is also divided into current signal and voltage signal.

    8. Power Voltage

    General electric actuator voltage is AC220V, AC380V, DC24V, etc.

    In Conclusion

    thinktank stone valve manufacturer

    When selecting an electric actuator, the main considerations are the movement type of the actuator output shaft, the output torque (or thrust), the control mode (input/output signal), the protection class, the installation space, etc., THINKTANKas a control valve manufacturer, we always use well-known brands of electric actuators to ensure the best performance of our control valves. Should you have any questions, just feel free to contact our representative to consult more information.

    Contact Us

    With expertise in valves and rich experience in the oil&gas, chemical industry, textile mills, power plants, and sugar mills. THINKTANK has become the premier manufacturer of next-generation precision control valves.

    With a customer base that includes over 42 of the world’s leading engineering&contractors and international valve brands, THINKTANK Valves offers cost-effective valves that help our customers achieve automated process control without paying high prices.

    Facebook
    Twitter
    LinkedIn
    Pinterest
    Print

    What is SOV(solenoid valve) in Control Valve 

    Solenoid valves are often used in applications where a control valve is required to be actuated quickly to a fault position under certain conditions. It is generally designed to be in the air supply line and is an important accessory to the air control system.

    Read More

    Fusible Link Valves For Diesel Generators

    The fusing link valve for the diesel generator set includes the valve body and actuator, and the valve body and actuator are fixed by a fixed bracket/yoke. The actuator of the fused valve includes the shaft, fusible link, manual/gear operator, actuator protection cover, limit switch, etc.

    Read More

    Sluice Gate Valve 101

    The sluice gate valves are real end-of-line valves designed to hold back water with minimal leakage in applications such as drains, sump tanks, and distribution boxes.

    Read More

    Condensate Return System

    Condensate has a large amount of heat, generally accounting for about 20-30% of the total heat of steam, and for some equipment, it can be as high as 40%.  Therefore, if high-temperature condensate can be recycled as boiler make-up water or used for secondary flash steam, it not only saves industrial water but also saves a large amount of fuel.

    Read More

    Water Mixing

    Water mixing is the mixing of water at different temperatures, and the resulting mixing temperature varies at different hot and cold flows

    Read More

    Knife Gate Valve 101

    Knife gate valves are primarily made for isolation and on-off services in systems with high suspended particle contents. Knife gate valves are particularly useful for managing viscous, corrosive, and abrasive media in addition to the slurry.

    Read More

    A good partner is a lasting and effective investment

    Focused on Control Valves & Self-Operated Pressure Regulators For Over 10 Years

    Grow Your Business is Our Top Priority. Contact Now You Will Get More Than You Expect.

    ASK FOR QUOTE

    Just leave your name, email, and simple message or requirements, We will contact you within 1 hour.

    WhatsApp: +86 185 1656 9221

    Skype ID: sowell85

    Wechat ID: +86 189 5813 8289