Actuators

Popping Pressure
The pressure at which the valve disc rapidly moves from a slightly open
(simmer) position to a practically full open
position.
Manual Actuators
Part Turn
Multi Turn
What is an IP Rating?
Ingress Protection
The IP rating or IP code classifies the degree of protection provided by an enclosure, for
electrical equipment with a rated voltage not exceeding 72.5 kV.
IP ratings are defined by the international standard EN 60529 (British Standard BS EN
60529:1992)
This standard defines levels of sealing effectiveness against “ingress” i.e. intrusion from
foreign bodies such as tools, dirt and liquid water.
What do the two digits in an IP Rating mean?
The rating consists of the letters IP followed by two digits, the higher the number the
better the protection. Sometimes a number is replaced by X, which indicates that the
enclosure is not rated for that specification.
IP65 = First Digit – Solids
The first digit indicates the level of protection that the enclosure provides against the
ingress of solid foreign objects, from tools or fingers that could be hazardous if they
came into contact with electrical conductors or moving parts, to airborne dirt and dust
that could damage circuitry.
IP65 = Second Digit – Liquids
The second digit defines the protection of the equipment inside the enclosure against
various forms of moisture (drips, sprays, submersion etc).

https://rainfordsolutions.com/products/ingress-protection-ip-rated-enclosures/ip-enclosure-
ratings-standards-explained/
 Protected from immersion between 15 centimetres and 1
IP57 Protected from limited dust ingress.
metre in depth.

Protected from long term immersion up to a specified

IP58 Protected from limited dust ingress.
pressure.

IP60 Protected from total dust ingress. Not protected from liquids.

IP61 Protected from total dust ingress. Protected from condensation.

Protected from water spray less than 15 degrees from

IP62 Protected from total dust ingress.
vertical.

Protected from water spray less than 60 degrees from

IP63 Protected from total dust ingress.
vertical.

IP64 Protected from total dust ingress. Protected from water spray from any direction.

Protected from low pressure water jets from any

IP65 Protected from total dust ingress.
direction.

Protected from high pressure water jets from any

IP66 Protected from total dust ingress.
direction.

Protected from immersion between 15 centimetres and 1

IP67 Protected from total dust ingress.
metre in depth.

Protected from long term immersion up to a specified

IP68 Protected from total dust ingress.
pressure.

IP69K Protected from total dust ingress. Protected from steam-jet cleaning.
https://instrumentationtools.com/electric-motor-actuator-parts/
Fieldbus
Fieldbus is the name of a family of industrial computer network
protocols used for real-time distributed control, standardized as IEC
61158.
A complex automated industrial system — such as manufacturing
assembly line — usually needs a distributed control system—an
organized hierarchy of controller systems—to function.
In this hierarchy, there is usually a Human Machine Interface (HMI) at
the top, where an operator can monitor or operate the system.
This is typically linked to a middle layer of programmable logic
controllers (PLC) via a non-time-critical communications system (e.g.
Ethernet).
At the bottom of the control chain is the fieldbus that links the PLCs to
the components that actually do the work, such as sensors, actuators,
electric motors, console lights, switches, valves and contactors.
Motor
Robust asynchronous three-phase AC motors are mostly used
as the driving force, for some applications also single-phase
AC or DC motors are used. These motors are specially
adapted for valve automation as they provide higher torques
from standstill than comparable conventional motors, a
necessary requirement to unseat sticky valves.

The actuators are expected to operate under extreme

ambient conditions, however they are generally not used for
continuous operation since the motor heat buildup can be
excessive.
Four Types of Motor Duty Cycles Engineers Should Know

1 Continuous Duty (S1) 2 Short Time Duty (S2) Intermittent Periodic

Duty (S3)
Limit and Torque Sensors

The limit switches signal when an end position has been

reached. The torque switching measures the torque present
in the valve. When exceeding a set limit, this is signaled in the
same way.

Actuators are often equipped with a remote position

transmitter which indicates the valve position as continuous
4-20 mA current or voltage signal.
Gearing

Often a worm gearing is used to reduce the high output

speed of the electric motor. This enables a high reduction
ratio within the gear stage, leading to a low efficiency which is
desired for the actuators.

The gearing is therefore self-locking i.e. it prevents accidental

and undesired changes of the valve position by acting upon
the valve’s closing element.
Manual operation

In their basic version most electric actuators are equipped

with a handwheel for operating the actuators during
commissioning or power failure. The handwheel does not
move during motor operation.

The electronic torque limiting switches are not functional

during manual operation. Mechanical torque-limiting devices
are commonly used to prevent torque overload during
manual operation.
Pneumatic Actuators
Automation
 Adjusting valves: Do you believe in automation?

Do we run around the plant to

adjust the valves when
required?

Process pictures courtesy of Petro-Canada Products

 Adjusting valves: Do you believe in automation?

Central control room

• Overview of
entire process
• Make
immediate
adjustment
anywhere
• Safe location
• History of past
operation

Process pictures courtesy of Petro-Canada Products

 WHAT DOES A FEEDBACK SYSTEM DO?
Desired value

CONTROLLER

FINAL
ELEMENT SENSOR
PROCESS
Inputs Outputs

CONTROL (verb): To maintain desired conditions in a physical system by adjusting

selected variables in the system.

FEEDBACK CONTROL makes use of an output of a system to influence an input to the

same system.

input = cause output = effect

2. The key elements and principles of a feedback loop – Cause
and Effect
Exercise: The key elements and principles of a feedback loop
What is being measured?
Is this a valid feedback control loop?

FC

cooling
2. The key elements and principles of a feedback loop – Cause
and Effect
Exercise: The key elements and principles of a feedback loop
What is being measured?
Is this a valid feedback control loop?

FC

cooling
2. The key elements and principles of a feedback loop – Cause
and Effect
Exercise: The key elements and principles of a feedback loop
What is being measured?
Is this a valid feedback control loop?

sensor

valve L

pump

pump valve
2. The key elements and principles of a feedback loop – Cause and
Effect

Exercise: The key elements

and principles of a feedback
loop
What is being measured?
Is this a valid feedback control
loop?

valve L
sensor
pump

pump valve
2. The key elements and principles of a feedback loop – Cause
and Effect
Exercise: You want to control the level, but you can only measure the flow
in. What is your strategy? Are you using feedback?

sensor F

valve

pump

pump valve
2. The key elements and principles of a feedback loop – Cause
and Effect
Exercise: The key elements and principles of a feedback loop
What is being measured?
Is this a valid feedback control loop?

Gas stream Gas stream

Empty vessel
 INLET END OF
CONSTANT SUPPLY PRESSURE RELAY VALVE
SMALL DIAPHRAM
LARGE DIAPHRAM
EXHAUST
EXHAUST END FIXED ORIFICE
OF RELAY VALVE PROPORTIONAL BELLOWS
PIVOTING CROSS SPRINGS
BOURDON TUBE
40 60
FIXED 20 80 40 60
PIVOT 20 80

NOZZLE

BEAM AND RESET

FLAPPER VALVE
RESET
VENT, OR REMOTE BELLOWS
PNEUMATIC LOADING
PRESSURE

PROPORTIONAL
PROPORTIONAL VALVE VALVE
EXHAUST
PROPORTIONAL-PLUS
RESET
CONTROLLER

SUPPLY PROCESS LOADING NOZZLE PROPORTIONAL RESET

PRESSURE PRESSURE PRESSURE PRESSURE PRESSURE PRESSURE
4160schem
Accessory:
A device that is mounted on the
actuator to complement the
actuator’s function and make it a
complete operating unit.
Examples include petitioners,
supply pressure regulators,
solenoids, and limit switches.
Self Acting Temperature Control Valve
Self Acting Temperature Control Valve