Meeting Torque Requirements As I have noted before, selecting the correct actuator for the size and purpose of the valve is important, but it’s only the first step in selecting the best overall valve automation solution. If the actuator isn’t sized by a knowledgeable and technically trained expert, the results can be disastrous and/or expensive.
Identifying Fail Mode Specifications Actuator fail mode is the position that the actuator takes after the control signal and/or the supply pressure is lost. This step is vital to the proper sizing of an actuator because if the wrong fail mode is specified, the actuator will not fail in the correct position when, often, people’s safety or the integrity of the system is in jeopardy.
Choosing the Right Actuator Type In our business, after a customer has selected the specific valve and actuator package, that’s when my team steps in to size the actuator properly. Selecting the correct actuator for the size and purpose of your valve is key but it’s only the first step. If the actuator isn’t sized by a knowledgeable and technically trained expert, the results can be disastrous or expensive.
Understanding Minimum and Maximum Supply Pressure A common misconception in our industry is that actuating a valve is as simple as putting the most cost efficient actuator on top of your valve of choice, but the process is actually much more complicated than that. Selecting the correct actuator for the size and purpose of the valve is key but it’s only the first step. If the actuator isn’t sized by a knowledgeable and technically trained expert, the results can be disastrous and/or expensive.