Electric Actuator

The Electric Actuator for the Ball Valve and Butterfly Valve is a testament to our unyielding commitment to top-notch quality, meticulous technical precision, and forefront industry expertise. This highly advanced valve electric actuator is engineered to transform electrical power into mechanical movement, guaranteeing seamless and precise control over valve positioning across a diverse array of industrial scenarios.

Our Electric Actuator designed for the Ball Valve and Butterfly Valve epitomizes outstanding performance and a sturdy build. It incorporates a highly efficient electric motor that has been painstakingly crafted to convert electrical energy into mechanical torque while minimizing energy dissipation. The motor functions seamlessly with a robust gearing system, thereby maximizing torque output and assuring a seamless and reliable operation.

What are the types of electric actuators?

Valve electric actuators are apparatuses that manage the flow of gas or liquid via a valve, generally in an automated manner. They offer exact control over the process through the conversion of electrical energy into mechanical motion. There are four primary kinds of valve electric actuators, namely the rotary type, the linear type, the sliding-stem type, and the diaphragm type.

Rotary actuators comprise an electric motor that is linked to a gear reducer, which is further connected to a driven shaft. This shaft is utilized to open and close butterfly or ball valves. These motors are commonly powered by AC/DC sources like batteries or solar cells.

Linear actuators employ either pneumatic cylinders or electric motors to directly shift the stem that links the top and bottom sections (the seat) of a valve. Sliding-stem actuators possess two wheel bearings on each side. These bearings roll along tracks, causing the stem to move vertically up and down about the direction of media flow through the valve body.

Diaphragm-type electric actuators depend on the hydraulic pressure generated by multiple pressurized chambers for their operation. This type is predominantly used for multiport valves, such as globe valves.

Regardless of the type you select to meet your application requirements, all of these actuator systems will require a certain kind of controller. This controller can be programmed through computer/human interface devices (HMI), such as Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems. The purpose is to obtain accurate positional feedback from them when they are operating in automatic mode, as well as to have convenient manual override capabilities whenever needed.

In conclusion, these four main types of actuators are excellent choices for any industrial automation system that demands reliable control over fluid flow rates. Therefore, you must make your selection carefully, taking into account your specific requirements!

Which valves are electric actuators used for?

Electric actuators are widely employed for operating specific valves to manage the opening and closing of a system. The valves in question encompass ball valves, butterfly valves, plug valves, diaphragm valves, as well as gate and globe valves.

Ball valves function based on the rotation of a metal ball inside the valve body. This metal ball is opened or closed by an electric actuator, thereby enabling or halting the flow through a process line.

Butterfly Valves are characterized by a disk that rotates around its vertical axis for opening or closing, thus regulating the flow of fluids. Plug Valves, on the other hand, utilize a plug-style stem with grooves or flats that are machined into it. This stem rotates within the valve body with the help of an electric actuator. This enables precise shutoff and also allows for varying degrees of flow adjustment as required in specific applications.

Diaphragm Valves make use of an elastic membrane that is tightly sealed against the ports of the valve body when it is compressed between two plates. These plates are controlled by electric actuators, and this type of valve is often employed in situations where low-pressure rates or ultra-high purity is required, such as in pharmaceutical applications that must adhere to FDA guidelines.

Gate & Globe Valves utilize either wedge-shaped plungers (in the case of Gate Valves) or slender discs (for Globe Valves) that are attached to stems. These stems move perpendicular inside cylindrical bodies and are controlled by electrically actuated operators. Usually, they require linear movements over rather short distances, which are often generated from small pulsed signals sent by master controllers. These are essential components in any automated process system nowadays.

How to operate an electric actuator?

An electric actuator is an instrument used in various industrial automation process control links. Before operating the electric actuator, you must first be familiar with its working principle. Generally, the operation of the electric actuator mainly includes the following steps:

Basic operation:

Power on

Before using the electric actuator, it is necessary to connect it to the power supply and make electrical connections to ensure the normal operation of the electric actuator.

Manual/automatic switching
Electric actuators can be divided into two modes: manual and automatic. In manual mode, you need to manually turn the handle or operator of the electric actuator to achieve movement; in automatic mode, you need to adjust the controller of the electric actuator to achieve movement.

Motion control

Motion control is the most critical part of the operation of the electric actuator. By adjusting the controller parameters of the electric actuator, the running direction, speed and position control of the electric actuator can be realized.

Summary, Electric actuators are powered by an electric motor that generates rotary motion. Subsequently, this rotary motion is transformed into linear motion at the output shaft via an internal gear system or an alternative mechanism. This linear motion is then directly transmitted to the stem of the valve using mechanical linkages. As a result, the valve can open or close according to the rotation and position of the actuator about the valve body.

How to maintain and service electric actuators?

In addition to basic operations, the maintenance and care of electric actuators are also very important.

Maintenance and care:

Note: Improper maintenance will cause equipment damage

Maintenance and care operations must be performed by authorized and qualified personnel.
To ensure normal and reliable operation, please perform an operation test once a year for valves that rarely move. Please add lubricating oil to the refueling area of ​​the actuator output base to prevent the output shaft from getting stuck or rusted.

Maintenance and servicing can only be carried out after the equipment is powered off.

Clean the actuator regularly to keep it clean

Protective measures for the  safe operation of the actuator

To ensure the safe operation of the equipment, the following measures need to be taken:
Inspect 6 months after commissioning, and then inspect once a year
① Perform a visual inspection: Check whether the cable interface, cable cover seal, and plug are tight and sealed.
② Check whether the fastening screws of the actuator and gearbox/valve are tight.
③ If it rarely runs: perform an operation test.
A. Handwheel operation check: Whether the handwheel operation is normal and whether it can be reset normally when powered on.
B. Power-on check: Check whether the product function is normal

How do electric actuators work?

Electric actuators are powered by an electric motor that generates rotary motion. Subsequently, this rotary motion is transformed into linear motion at the output shaft via an internal gear system or an alternative mechanism. This linear motion is then directly transmitted to the stem of the valve using mechanical linkages. As a result, the valve can open or close according to the rotation and position of the actuator about the valve body.

Electric actuator systems possess numerous advantages compared to manual ones. These include enhanced accuracy in setpoint indication, better repeatability, quicker response speed, and more robust safety features like anti-reverse and locking mechanisms. Such mechanisms guarantee secure performance in high-pressure applications, where standard manual devices are unable to ensure full performance security.