Reliable valve automation depends on selecting an actuator that delivers the required torque, operating action and control response for the valve and process.
El-O-Matic Actuators provide pneumatic valve-automation solutions for industrial applications where dependable rotary movement and repeatable valve positioning are required.
The range can be integrated with ball valves, butterfly valves and other suitable quarter-turn valve technologies to create complete automated valve packages.
Pneumatic actuation remains one of the most widely used methods of automating industrial valves because of its simple operating principle, fast response and suitability for a wide range of plant environments.
El-O-Matic Pneumatic Actuators convert compressed-air energy into controlled mechanical movement for opening and closing a valve.
Depending upon process and safety requirements, actuator selection can be based on factors including:
Correct sizing is important because the actuator must provide sufficient torque throughout the operating cycle of the selected valve.
El-O-Matic Rotary Actuators are designed for applications requiring controlled rotational movement.
They are particularly relevant to the automation of quarter-turn equipment including suitable:
An actuator can be integrated with accessories such as solenoid valves, limit switch boxes and position-monitoring equipment to provide a complete automated package.
Automated valves may also require a means of manual operation for commissioning, maintenance or defined operating situations.
An El-O-Matic Manual Override provides an additional method of operating a valve when manual intervention is necessary.
The appropriate manual override arrangement depends on the actuator configuration and application, and it should always be selected as part of the overall valve automation design.
For applications with demanding torque characteristics, El-O-Matic Scotch & Yoke Actuators provide an alternative actuation principle.
The scotch-yoke mechanism converts linear piston movement into rotary output and can provide a torque characteristic well suited to the operating requirements of various quarter-turn valves.
Scotch-yoke actuator selection should take into consideration the valve’s torque profile, operating pressure, required safety action and process conditions.
An actuator should not be treated as an isolated component. Reliable automation requires the valve, actuator and accessories to work together as a properly selected package.
A typical automated valve package may combine an El-O-Matic Actuator with:
Selecting these components together helps simplify installation and ensures that the actuator is correctly matched with the valve.
The appropriate actuator depends on much more than valve size alone. Valve design, differential pressure, seat construction and process conditions all influence the torque required for reliable operation.
Before selecting an El-O-Matic actuator, important information includes the valve make and model, valve size, pressure rating, available air pressure, operating temperature, medium and required fail position.
Contact our team for assistance with El-O-Matic Pneumatic Actuators, El-O-Matic Rotary Actuators, El-O-Matic Scotch & Yoke Actuators and El-O-Matic Manual Override solutions for industrial valve automation.