Decision Tree on Selecting Electric or Pneumatic Rotary Actuators with Quarter Turn Valves

Valve Actuators: Selecting Electric vs Pneumatic

It is easy to get lost in the weeds when choosing between electric and pneumatic actuators for quarter turn valves.

Brian Booth, Assured Automation’s Vice President of Sales and Product Manager for thermal and remote shutoffs, recommends using the simple decision tree below when choosing which actuator is best for your application.

The decision tree is based on a series of six questions:

1. Is a Fail Safe Position Required?
2. Flammable Media or Hazardous Conditions?
3. Harsh Environment?
   (ex. corrosive, wet location)
4. Is Rapid Actuation Required?
5. Is a High Duty-Cycle Required?
   (ex. frequent valve cycling)
6. Is a High Cycle-Life Required?

This simple decision tree makes it very easy and quick to determine which type of actuation is preferred for your particular application. By following the logic tree, you can narrow down the correct options, as well as be alerted to any additional requirements.

Pneumatic Rotary Actuators

For many years, pneumatic actuators dominated process plants. Pneumatic actuators are powered by compressed air and are frequently used in both isolation (on/off), and in modulating control applications. Despite new electric actuator technologies and growing usage, the pneumatic actuator still maintains its  fair share in chemical processing, food and beverage, and oil and gas facilities, due to their durability, simplicity, speed and size. Failure mode requirements may make pneumatic actuators preferred over electric. Electric actuators with spring-return failure position are typically much more expensive than pneumatic actuators. Pneumatic actuators are easily adaptable in hazardous environments with properly rated accessories. Most pneumatic actuators can be serviced by onsite maintenance staff due to their simple design, another advantage over electric actuators.

Electric Actuators

Electric actuators have been traditionally preferred for when precision control and positioning is required as well as for remote locations where instrument air is not available. Electric actuators tend to be more expensive to purchase than pneumatic actuators initially, but operating costs are less over the long term.

A more complete explanation of the decision process in choosing between pneumatic and electric actuation was published in the June 2016 issue of Valve World Americas. That article can be downloaded from /news-and-training/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/electric-vs-pneumatic-rotary-actuators.pdf

We would love to hear your feedback on the decision tree, and how it may have helped you in designing your industrial process.