"Intrusive" and "Non-Intrusive" Industrial Electric Actuators

Industrial electric actuators play a pivotal role in automating various industrial processes. These actuators convert electrical energy into mechanical motion to control or move machinery components such as valves and dampers. Regarding "intrusive" and "non-intrusive" in industrial electric actuators, the terms typically address the design and mode of operation, particularly the setup, monitoring, and control aspects. 

Here's a detailed breakdown of the differences:

Design & Configuration:

Intrusive Actuators: These actuators generally require users to open or intrude into the actuator casing or cover for setup, adjustment, or monitoring, meaning the internal components can be exposed to external environments, potentially compromising the actuator's integrity or operation.

Non-Intrusive Actuators: These actuators allow setup, adjustments, and monitoring without physically intruding or opening the actuator's casing, ensuring the internal components remain sealed and protected from external contaminants or potential damage.

Operation & Monitoring:

Intrusive Actuators: Adjustments or calibration typically require direct interaction with internal components, which can be time-consuming and may expose the system to errors or contamination.

Non-Intrusive Actuators: They often come with user interfaces, like LCD touchscreens or push buttons on the exterior, allowing operators to perform setup, calibration, or monitoring without exposing the internal components. Some might even have remote interfaces, facilitating monitoring and control from a distance.

Safety & Maintenance:

Intrusive Actuators: The need to open the actuator for adjustments or monitoring can introduce safety risks, mainly if the actuator is operating in environments with hazardous gases, liquids, or materials. Additionally, maintenance can be more challenging as exposing the internals might allow contaminants to compromise the system.

Non-Intrusive Actuators: These actuators provide a safer operation, especially in hazardous environments, as there's no need to open the casing. Their design also reduces maintenance challenges and improves the actuator's longevity.

Applications:

Intrusive Actuators: Might be used in applications where regular adjustments aren't required or in environments where exposure risks are minimal.

Non-Intrusive Actuators: Ideal for industries where the actuator's environment has contaminants or hazardous materials or where frequent adjustments or monitoring is essential without compromising safety.

Cost:

Intrusive Actuators: They might be less expensive initially because they have a more straightforward design without the external interface components. However, potential increased maintenance costs or reduced longevity might offset the initial savings.

Non-Intrusive Actuators: While they might have a higher initial cost due to their advanced design and user interfaces, they can result in savings in the long run due to reduced maintenance needs and extended operational life.

In summary, the primary distinction between intrusive and non-intrusive industrial electric actuators lies in their design and interaction mode. While intrusive actuators require direct access to internal components for setup and monitoring, non-intrusive variants enable these operations without opening the actuator casing and offering increased safety and operational advantages.

Energy-West Controls

https://energy-west.com

801-262-4477

Valve Automation

Valve automation refers to the use of electromechanical or pneumatic devices to control the opening and closing of valves in an industrial process. The goal of valve automation is to optimize the control of fluid flow in a system, which can involve adjusting the flow rate, pressure, temperature, or other process variables.

Valve automation can be used in a variety of industries, including chemical processing, oil and gas, water treatment, and power generation. There are many different types of valves that can be automated, including ball valves, butterfly valves, and gate valves, among others. These valves can be controlled manually or automatically using a variety of methods, including electrical signals, pneumatic signals, or hydraulic signals.

In an automated system, the valves are typically controlled by a central control system, which may be a programmable logic controller (PLC) or a distributed control system (DCS). The control system receives input from sensors in the process and sends output signals to the valve actuators to adjust the valve positions as needed. The control system may also include human-machine interfaces (HMIs) or other types of operator interfaces that allow the process to be monitored and controlled by a human operator.

Valve automation can provide a number of benefits in an industrial process, including improved safety, efficiency, and accuracy. By automating the control of valves, it is possible to optimize the flow of fluids in a system to meet the desired process conditions, which can help to reduce waste, save energy, and improve product quality. Additionally, automated valve control can help to prevent human error and improve the overall reliability of the process.

For more information, contact:

Energy West, Inc.
1955 West Industrial Circle
Salt Lake City, Utah 84104
Phone: 801-262-4477
Fax: 801-261-0862
Web: https://energy-west.com

Detailed Instructions for Setting Position Limits on the Limitorque L120 Electric Actuator

This instructional video aims to safely illustrate how to set position limits on the Limitorque L120 electric actuator using the correct procedure. Explore the video to understand the right language for equipment, comprehend the wiring diagram about the limit switch contact development, and discover how to evaluate the limit switch's position.

The Flowserve Limitorque L120 electric actuator serves various environmental applications in the power, oil & gas, and water industries.

For more information, contact:

Energy West Controls

https://energy-west.com

800-533-4477

Industrial Electric Valve Actuators

An electric actuator is a device that uses electricity to open, close, or modulate a valve. While most of the fundamental concepts used in electric actuators have been around since the 1930s, decades of incremental advancement have significantly increased their capabilities while decreasing their cost. These developments have reached a tipping point in recent years, making electric actuators the preferable option for many applications. 

Electric valve actuation offer measurable benefits: 

• Electricity is generally inexpensive, easy to handle, and readily accessible at most industrial facilities. 
• Electric actuators often have a cheaper capital cost per equivalent torque/thrust output unit. 
• They are also better for the environment and safer to use. 
• Electric actuators may provide greater positioning precision for control or modulating valve duties and advanced process monitoring, data recording, and information feedback. 
• Electric actuators include all necessary control functions, resulting in fewer capital costs. 
• By providing distributed control, the electric actuator's historically high wire cost is reduced - through efficient and uncomplicated control logic wiring integrated into client SCADA or DCS systems. 
• As torque and thrust needs grow, electric actuators weigh less and have smaller footprints than pneumatic actuators. 
• Electronic actuators may provide very high output thrust and torque values when combined with external gears. 

There are also certain drawbacks to electric valve actuation to consider: 

• With few exceptions, electric actuators cannot guarantee a fail-safe stroke. Nonetheless, they will "fail in place". Fail-safe stroke refers to an actuator's capacity to move a valve to a predetermined safe position when power is lost. 
• Electric actuators are more complex than other types of actuators. Electronic technology also demands constant upgrading to keep up with component changes and advancements. 
• Electric actuators are less cost-effective than pneumatic and hydraulic actuators and have operating speed limitations beyond a specified size/torque range. 
• Electric actuators need more stringent certifications and design characteristics to be safe for use in hazardous areas where explosive process material may be present.

Energy West Controls will assist you in specifying and applying the best electric actuator for your process flow requirement. Visit https://energy-west.com or call 800-533-4477 to discuss your applications.