MEGTEC Customer Connect E-news: Industrial Actuators

Your equipment may be outfitted with electric or pneumatic actuators to operate dampers, valves or numerous mechanisms throughout your plant or process.

Without proper installation or regular maintenance, actuators can often be problematic and create costly, unexpected downtime or potential loss of energy.

Actuator tips:

• For pneumatic actuators, be sure the air stream is clean and dry. Moisture can freeze outdoors in cold weather, rendering the actuator inoperable. Moisture can also damage cylinders, seals and solenoids. Periodically drain drip legs, filters or system moisture traps.

• Ensure actuator limits are set properly to prevent over torque at the end of travel, potentially causing motor overheating or damage. These limit settings may drift over time due to wear and changes in temperatures.

• Set up your actuators to manufacturer's specifications. Incorrectly positioned actuators can leave valves partially open (or closed) limiting process performance or unnecessarily waste energy.

• When installing actuators outdoors, ensure all electrical openings or ports are closed or sealed per manufacturer's specifications. Position any conduits or utilities in a manner to avoid water or fluids from entering the actuator.

• Ensure the actuator cover seals are intact, closures and hardware are secure and tightened.

• Many electric actuators are equipped with internal heaters to prevent condensation. The heaters will only provide protection against condensation when the equipment control power is on. Ensure supplied heaters are operable and replace if necessary.

• Ensure device operating linkage, drive arms or couplings are free through their full range of motion without binding or excess friction. Check hardware, rod ends and adjusting mechanisms for tightness.

• During routine equipment maintenance, inspect actuators internally, dry any noticeable moisture and lubricate according to manufacturer's specifications, tighten terminals and wire connections.

• When installing actuators in areas of elevated temperatures, be sure to take the proper precautions not to exceed the actuator's maximum rated temperature. Isolate or insulate the actuator from the source of heat.

• Repair or replace obsolete or problematic actuators.