How To Select the Best Electric Valve Actuator for Your Needs

 Valves are essential to the operation of almost any type of water system. They allow water to flow from one location to another, and can be installed in almost any type of piping system. When it comes to selecting the best electric valve actuator, there are a few key points that you should consider. In this blog post you will learn about the advantages of using an electric valve actuator, as well as the different types of valve actuator and their pros and cons. Keep reading to learn more about this important topic.

 

What is an Electric Valve Actuator?

An electric valve actuator is a mechanism that moves and opens or closes a valve. They are most often installed in an outdoor water system because they can withstand all types of weather conditions, including extreme temperatures. They also require no electricity to operate, so they make an excellent choice for a small system with limited power.

 

Key Differences Between Electric Valve Actuators

Different types of actuators offer different advantages. For example, an electric valve actuator is typically easier to install than a pneumatic system and requires less maintenance. An electric actuator is also typically cheaper than other types of actuators, as they often don't require additional parts to be installed in the system.

 

 Electric Valve Actuator Advantages

There are many advantages to using an electric valve actuator, including:

-   Durability    -The electric actuator will often last longer than other types of valve.

-Ease of use  -An electric actuator is easy to install, and needs no manual labor.

-Reliability

-Electric actuators won't need constant maintenance or repairs.

-Safety

-Electric actuators are safer than other types of valves because they have a built in safety mechanism that prevents leakage.

 

 Electric Valve Actuator Disadvantages

One of the disadvantages of using an electric actuator is that they can be quite expensive. On average, valve actuators cost $150 to $1,000, which can prove costly for many homeowners.

Another disadvantage is that they are not as durable as some other types of valve actuators. They do not typically last more than two decades and need to be replaced approximately once every 25 years.

Electric valve actuators are also not as reliable as some other types of actuators. They tend to break easily and require frequent maintenance in order to function properly.

 

Which Type of Valve Actuator is Best for Your System?

The first step when selecting the best electric valve actuator for your needs is to determine the type of system you need to actuate. The valve actuator you choose will depend on how much pressure is in the system, as well as what type of piping it is installed on.

For example, if you are installing a valve on a gravity-fed system or one that has very little water pressure, a solenoid valve actuator would work best. A solenoid valve actuator works by drawing water from the reservoir and releasing it through an outlet at an even rate. On the other hand, if you are installing your valve in a high-pressure system with rigid piping, an air/hydraulic pilot operated (AHP) valve actuator would be more suitable. An AHP operates by using compressed air from an external source to push water through the outlet to match flow rates with demand.

 

Final Words: Do You Need an Electric Valve Actuator?

In short, an electric valve actuator is an important component of your water system. They provide the control and automation that many systems require to maintain safe and efficient operation.

When you are selecting the best electric valve actuator for your needs, it is a good idea to consider the different types available. Some are better suited for certain applications than others. It is also a good idea to look at the pros and cons of each type before making a final decision on which one to purchase.

If you are still unsure about whether or not you need an electric valve actuator, take a moment to look at some of the advantages they have over traditional manual valves. They offer faster response time and make it easier to automate various functions in your water system.

The Electric Actuator: A Necessary Invention to Keep Your Valves Up-to-Date

Depending upon the size of your system and the number of valves you have, it might be possible to keep your valves up-to-date manually. However, this is a time-consuming and often expensive process. For this reason, many smaller water supply and wastewater treatment systems do not have their valves kept up-to-date. To have valves serviced and inspected, a technician will have to remove them from the system and check them on site.

If your valves are not kept up-to-date, then it is very likely that you will have problems down the road. Over time, valves will become defective and require replacement. If you do not inspect the valves on a regular basis, then it is very likely that you will not discover this problem until it is too late.

This is why many water supply and wastewater treatment specialists have begun to install electric actuators in their systems. These actuators, which are also known as pneumatic actuators, servo valves, or fluidic valves, allow a service technician to inspect and service valves from above. This enables them to do this while they are still underground.

 

Key Differences Between Electric Valve Actuators

There are a few key differences between electric actuator valves and the traditional method of inspecting valves. The first is that an electric actuator can be serviced from above-ground. This enables technicians to perform their inspections without having to remove the valve from the ground.

The second difference is that traditional methods require technicians to remove the valve from the ground to inspect it. As a result, they have to crawl around in tight spaces and use specialized tools in order to do this job. With electric actuators, this is not necessary and technicians can work more efficiently because they don’t need to crawl around underground.

The third difference is that there are many different types of electric valve actuators available on the market today which offer various levels of convenience for service technicians. Some are easier than others, but all will save you time and money down the road by keeping your valves up-to-date with regular inspections.

 

Which Type of Valve Actuator is Best for Your System?

The type of valve actuator you install depends on the size of your system and the types of valves you have. For example, if your system is smaller than 500 gallons per minute and has a single control valve, then this actuator might be for you.

If you have a larger system with multiple valves, then you will need to buy a large-sized valve actuator. This actuator can handle up to 5000 gallons per minute and has connections for up to 16 valves.

If you have many small systems that are installed in different locations, then it would most likely be best to use one of these actuators. They provide flexibility because they are able to interface with any type of controller or pump station input.

 

Why Install an Electric Actuator?

It is not easy to keep valves up-to-date. Therefore, many water supply and wastewater treatment systems do not have their valves serviced or inspected regularly. This can cause a lot of problems in the future because valves will become defective over time and require replacement.

Installing an electric actuator, which is also known as a pneumatic actuator, servo valve, or fluidic valve that enables the service technician to inspect and service the valves from above, solves this problem. This makes it easy for the service technician to do this while they are still underground without having to remove the entire valve from the system. They just need a ladder to get up high enough so that they’re able to inspect them while they're still in place.

 

The Types of Electric Actuators

Electric actuators are an excellent way to inspect and service valves while they are still in place. There are two types of electric actuators:

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1) Servo Valves, also called fluidic valves, use a servo motor to control the valve. The servo motor turns on when pressure is applied and turns off when the pressure is released

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2) Pneumatic actuators use air pressure to move the valve.

Both types of electric actuators have their advantages. Pneumatic actuators need less power and they do not require an external power source. However, pneumatic actuators can be difficult to install in applications where space or mounting points are limited. On the other hand, servo valves take up more room but require less maintenance and can be used for high-temperature applications.

 

Benefits of Having an Electric Actuator

So, what are the benefits of having an electric actuator?

- The actuator will do a routine inspection of your wastewater treatment system and valves.

- The actuator will clean out hard sediment that is difficult to remove with a manual inspection.

- You will be able to see potential issues with your system before they become a problem.

- The actuator will also remove blockages in the pipelines.

- The actuator can be installed quickly and easily.

- This type of automation provides a cost-effective way to keep up with the maintenance needs of your water supply or wastewater treatment system.

 

Is a Service Technician Required to Install an Actuator?

While an electric actuator will help to make the process of inspecting and maintaining your valves easier, it is not a requirement. Valves that are on a small system or have a single valve might be possible to keep up-to-date manually.

However, if you have a large system with many valves, then it is likely that you will need an electric actuator to make the process more manageable. If your system has multiple valves, then you will need an actuator in order to examine all of them properly.

If your water or wastewater treatment facility has many pipes and valves, then installing an electric actuator might be the best option for keeping your valves up-to-date. These actuators allow technicians to inspect and service valves without removing them from their location in the ground.

 

How to Select the Right Electric Actuator for Your Application

Before you can select the right electric actuator, it is important to have an understanding of what they are. Electric actuators are a type of valve that use air or gas to open and close a valve. They are used in many different applications and industries, such as the water supply industry.

There are two main types of electric actuators: servo valves and fluidic valves. Each one has its strengths and weaknesses.

Servo valves work well with lines carrying high-pressure fluids because they require less air pressure to work well. Fluidic valves do not work well with high-pressure lines but do work better when there is a chance that the line could freeze, because they only use compressed air for operation.

When selecting an actuator for your application, it is important to consider how much pressure your system needs to be able to handle during operation and how often the line will be exposed to freezing temperatures. If it does not matter either way, then you should choose whichever type works best for your budget and needs.

10 Common Valve Actuator Electric Problems and How to Fix Them

Your home is full of valves. You can’t turn on the tap or flush the toilet without one. They’re everywhere, and they all have a similar function: to control the flow of water from one location to another. But while they all seem the same, they can have different operating characteristics and act under different conditions. For example, a ball valve is an excellent choice for a faucet because it lets you control the flow of water hitting it, but it won’t let you take water back out. On the other hand, a check valve will let you have both out and back, but it can get clogged easily and is more expensive. The list of different valve types goes on and on, so it’s important that you know how to fix common valve problems as soon as they occur.

 

 Leaks from Valves

Leaks are the most common problem you’ll find with a valve. The most likely culprit? A faulty packing gland. If you’re not sure which type of valve you have, check the type of packing gland it has. There's two types: metal and elastomeric. Metal is more durable and will last longer, but it can be noisy and difficult to work with. Elastomeric packing glands are less expensive but won't last as long, so they're generally easier to install if you're installing the valve yourself. You can also try tightening the packing nut if your valve has one or replace the entire piece if that doesn't work for you.

 

 Flapper Valves

One of the most common valve actuator electric problems is a flapper valve. The flapper valve found in your toilet is made to lift and close off the water flow by opening and closing with a lever. This lever can become stuck or won’t open all the way because it gets jammed. To fix this, turn off the water supply, flush the toilet to clear it out, and then remove the flapper from its seat using a screwdriver. Once you’ve done that, use your pliers to bend down the edges of the rubber on either side so they don’t get caught again. If this doesn’t work, replace it with a new one.

 

Check Valves

Check valves are one of the most common types of valves. They’re usually found in both residential and commercial plumbing systems. Check valves act like a gate, preventing water from flowing backwards to where it came from. It works by opening on its own when water flows in one direction and shutting when the flow reverses.

Check valves are susceptible to clogging, which can lead to pass-by or even complete shutoff of water flow. The easiest way to clean a check valve is by using compressed air to blow out any particles that have built up inside the valve. To do this, you'll need an adaptor for your compressor hose, as well as a special nozzle that looks like a bellows at one end and an attachment with small holes at the other end (this is the part that blows). The basic steps are:

-Attach the bellows attachment to your compressor hose and then insert it into the valve body so that it sits right next to where it connects with the pipe coming out of the ground

-Open your tap all the way

-Turn on your compressor and let it run for about two minutes, making sure it's not blowing into anything else or running too close to anything flammable

-Turn off your compressor, remove your nozzle from the hole, and turn off your tap

-Move on to another check valve if there are any more nearby

 

Blow Out Valves

Blow out valves are primarily used for preventing pressure from building up in a system. If the pressure in a system is too high, there can be problems with equipment and even injuries to operators. Because of this, blow out valves are a common valve actuator found in many industrial settings.

A blow out valve is usually installed when one of these three conditions occur:

-The system reaches its rated pressure limit

-The temperature becomes too high

-The flow rate causes the fluid to become frothy

If any of these three conditions happen, the valve will open and release the excess pressure.

 

 Diaphragm Valves

One of the most common valve problems is a diaphragm valve. These valves are found in residential and commercial plumbing, as well as industrial settings. They’re often used in high-temperature settings, like those that involve petroleum or other chemicals. The problem with these valves is that they can start leaking if the pressure goes too high. This might be caused by debris or contamination in the valve that causes it to stick and leak. To fix it, you need to clean out the debris or build up then turn the pressure down until it stops leaking.

Globe Valves

One of the most common types of valves is a globe valve. Designed to automatically shut off once it reaches its desired position, globe valves are an essential part of your home’s water system. If you have a leak, there’s a good chance it’s coming from the spindle or packing gland on the valve because they usually require periodic maintenance.

1) You may need to adjust the valve stem packing when debris builds up inside and creates a leak. Loosen the packing nut and use graphite lubricant to prevent further problems.

2) If that doesn’t work, you may need to replace the packing washer, which can be done by unscrewing it and sliding it off. Make sure to wear gloves when doing this job since you will be working with dirty water.

3) Finally, if nothing else works and you have enough experience with plumbing fixtures, then you might have to replace the packing gland only if it is in bad condition or leaking at all.

 

 Gate Valves

Gate valves are the most common type of valves and are usually used in commercial settings. They’re a good choice for both high or low pressure applications because they can be opened and closed quickly, which is especially important for high-pressure settings. Gate valves come in two styles: swing style and lift style.

 

Tracer Valve

A tracer valve is a valve that can be tracked to see where it’s leaking. The way this valve works is by injecting dye into the fluid to make it visible.

The most common problem with this type of valve is that it’s not tight enough, which causes the dye to leak out and makes the flow visibly visible. To fix this, tighten the screw on one side of the valve until you can no longer turn it any further. Then, do the same for the other side of the valve.

 

Common Valve Actuator Problems That Require Service

In order to keep your valves operating correctly, you need to regularly service them. Here are the most common problems that require service:

1. Binding: When a valve is binding, it means it’s not operating properly. Make sure that all of the threads on the valve and handle are clean and tight so that they can be turned more easily. If there is still a problem with the valve turning, replace it.

2. Leaking: A leaking valve usually indicates some debris has found its way into the inner workings of the valve, which requires professional attention from a plumber or HVAC technician.

3. Low water pressure: Water pressure can decrease for many reasons, but one reason could be an accumulation of sediment in the water line leading to your home’s faucet or toilet tank. You may need to call a plumber or HVAC technician to clean out your pipes if you have been experiencing low water pressure for an extended period of time.

4. Sticking handle: Often times, a sticking handle indicates dirt in the threaded area below the handle collar and around the seal ring on top of the actuator shaft inside the handle body housing. Use compressed air (or wet cloth) to remove any dirt before trying again to turn off/on the water supply at valve handles.

 

Conclusion

A valve actuator is a type of electric actuator, which is used to control the flow of fluid through a pipe. If a valve actuator is not functioning properly, it may experience problems like leaks, clogs and breakdowns.

In this post we’ve listed 10 common valve actuator electric problems and how to fix them. Visit the link above for more information on how to keep your valve actuator functioning properly.