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The production of valve technology\u00a0has been growing<\/a> rapidly over the years. While a valve actuator seems like a simple piece of machinery, a lot of thought and planning goes into using the correct actuator.<\/p>\n The actuator you choose will have a significant impact on the valve’s performance. As the valve is most likely one cog in a very large machine, it’s crucial to choose the best valve actuators to ensure your operations run smoothly<\/a>.<\/p>\n Are you having trouble deciding on the best actuator valve for your operation? Keep reading for a beginner’s guide to selecting the right valve actuator.<\/p>\n So, what is an actuator valve? An actuator for valve\u00a0operations allows you to remotely move and control the valve.<\/p>\n An actuator needs a control signal to work properly. You also need a power source for your valve actuator to work.<\/p>\n There are many different types of actuators valve operations can run on. To make things simpler, we’ve broken them down into\u00a0five different types and three categories.<\/p>\n The first\u00a0type is quarter-turn pneumatic and hydraulic actuators. These are great when you don’t have an electric power source. They’re also useful for simpler valve operations.<\/p>\n While simple, they come in many different sizes for a wide range of abilities. You can find pneumatic and hydraulic quarter-turn actuators that deliver a few inch-pounds of torque, all the way to over a million inch-pounds of torque.<\/p>\n Most of these actuators use a cylinder for the motion that quarter-turns the valve. For emergencies, these are easy to shut off with an opposing spring placement.<\/p>\n The second type of actuator is a multi-turn pneumatic and hydraulic actuator. These work the same way as the quarter-turn pneumatic and hydraulic actuators, but the cylinder and mechanism turn it multiple times to fit the valve’s needs.<\/p>\n Neither\u00a0of these types of actuators\u00a0needs electricity to run. Instead, they use pressurized gas, air, or water for power. If you don’t have an electric power source, these actuators are perfect for your operation.<\/p>\n The third type of actuator is the multi-turn electric actuator. These actuators are the most common and most reliable types.<\/p>\n Electric actuators can operate some of the biggest valves in the quickest amount of time. They run on a single or three-phased electric motor to move a combination of gears and spurs.<\/p>\n These gears and spurs move the stem nut, which turns the valve open or closed. In case of an emergency, these actuators can be manually overridden.<\/p>\n The fourth kind of actuator is a quarter-turn electric actuator, and are pretty similar to the multi-turn electric actuator. The biggest difference is the size.<\/p>\n As a quarter-turn actuator is smaller, it usually needs less power to run. This means that it can be powered by batteries in case of power loss.<\/p>\n The fifth and final type of actuator is a manual actuator. These produce movements using levers, wheels, or gears.<\/p>\n They differ from all the previous actuators because they don’t require an external power source to move. While this may seem convenient, manual valves include an added risk. In dangerous environments, manual actuators don’t allow for immediate shutdown.<\/p>\nValve Actuator Basics<\/h2>\n
Types of Valve Actuators<\/h2>\n
Non-Electric Valve Actuators<\/h3>\n
Electric Valve Actuators<\/h3>\n
Manual Valve Actuators<\/h3>\n
Things to Consider<\/h2>\n