What Are Electric Actuators?

Actionneurs électriques turn power into movement. They use motors to make things move. These devices change electric energy into motion that moves valves, doors, and machines.

Think about this: Every day, factories lose money when systems fail. Old ways of making things move use air or oil. These old ways leak. They waste power. They cost too much to fix.

The problem gets worse when you need exact control. Air systems can’t give the same movement each time. Oil systems get dirty. Both need lots of pipes and pumps that break down.

Here’s the good news: Electric actuators solve these issues. They give exact control. They use less power. They need less care. And smart ones can even tell you when they need help before they break.

With electric rotary actuators like those made by Navarch, systems run better with less waste.

What Are Electric Actuators

How Electric Actuators Work

Electric actuators use simple parts to make strong, exact movements:

1. Moteur – The power source
2. Gears – Make the motor stronger
3. Moving parts – Turn motor spin into straight or round motion
4. Controls – Tell the actuator what to do
5. Capteurs – Check the position

The motor spins when it gets power. Gears make this spin stronger but slower. Then the moving parts change this spin into the right kind of motion.

Brushless DC motors work best for most jobs. They last longer than other kinds of motors. They don’t need as much care.

Encoders are special sensors that tell where the actuator is. They help make sure it moves to the right spot every time.

Interrupteurs de fin de course stop the actuator from going too far. This keeps it safe.

Modern actuators connect to control systems like PLCs, SCADA, and use special computer talk like Modbus and CANopen. This lets them work with other smart parts.

Types of Electric Actuators

Linear Actuators

Linear actuators move in straight lines. They push and pull. They use ball screws or lead screws to make this happen.

Le ball screw design has small metal balls that roll between the parts. This makes them:

• Work with less power
• Last longer
• Move with more force

Lead screw designs cost less but don’t work as well. They’re good for simple jobs.

Rotary Actuators

Rotary actuators turn things around. They spin valves, doors, and other parts that need to turn.

• Quart de tour types turn 90 degrees
• Multitours types can spin many times

These are perfect for valve automation in water and heating systems.

Special Types

• Rodless actuators save space
• Explosion-proof ones work in places with fire risk
• High-force models can push with tons of force

How to Pick the Right Electric Actuator

Picking the wrong actuator can cost you time and money. Here’s what to look at:

Voltage needs matter too:

• 12V/24V DC for small jobs
• 110V/220V AC for big factory work

Size matters. Make sure it fits where you need it. Check both how big it is and how far it moves.

Where Electric Actuators Work Best

Electric actuators help in many places:

Factory Work

They move parts on lines. They open and close things. They help make cars.

Building Systems

Smart valve water systems use them to control heat and air flow. They save up to 30% on energy costs.

Green Energy

Solar panels track the sun with these devices. This makes them work 40% better than fixed panels.

Real world case: A car maker fixed their line problems with new electric actuators. They had 30% less down time. They saved $500,000 in just one year.

Best Brands and What They Cost

When buying, look at these top makers:

• Siemens: Best with PLCs
• Festo: Good small ones
• Thomson: Strong for big jobs
• Navarch: Top choice for vanne intelligente and water systems

Costs vary:

• Basic models: $200-500
• Smart ones with IoT: $1,000-3,000
• Custom big ones: $5,000+

The best value comes from makers who can help set them up. Navarch does this with its expert team.

Navarch valve actuator

Setting Up and Taking Care of Actuators

Good setup makes actuators last longer. Here’s how:

1. Check the wiring plan first
2. Make sure power is right (watch for drops)
3. Mount it straight and tight
4. Test it at low speed first

When things go wrong, check these first:

• Overload errors mean it’s pushing too hard
• Loose parts cause play in movement
• Weird noises mean gear problems

Make them last: Some newer models, like those from Navarch, need no oil. This makes them work better in food and clean rooms.

What’s Coming Next

The market for electric actuators is growing fast. It was worth $15.54 billion in 2023 and will grow to $28.73 billion by 2032.

Smart actuators with IoT sensors are coming next. They’ll tell you when they need help before they break.

Économie d'énergie is big too. New models can save power when they slow down. Some even make power when they stop.

Common Questions

Can electric actuators replace oil ones for big jobs?
Yes, now they can push up to 50,000 N (5 tons) with better control than oil ones.

Do they work in wet places?
Yes, look for IP67 or better rating. These work in rain and can even be hosed down.

How long do they last?
Good ones last 1-2 million cycles with the right care. That’s about 5-10 years of normal use.

Can they work with my old control system?
Most can, but check if they use the same signals. Some need 4-20mA, others need 0-10V or digital.

The Market Today

The electric actuator world is changing fast:

• Asia leads with 42% of sales, thanks to China’s factories
• Oil and gas use 32% of all actuators
• Car makers are the fastest growing group (18.35% growth)

Problems still exist: They cost more at first than air systems (about 35% more). But they save money over time by using less power and needing less care.

Making the Smart Choice

When looking at motion control, think about the whole picture:

1. First cost vs. life cost (electric wins over time)
2. Ease of use vs. exact control (electric wins both)
3. Vitesse vs. force (pick what matters most)

The smart move is to work with experts who know both valves and actuators. Electric valve actuators work best when matched right.

Companies like Navarch, with 8,000 tons of valve making power each year, know how to match these parts for best results. Their five production lines make sure quality stays high.

Real World Success

A big heating system in a city had high costs. Their old valve system leaked heat. Workers had to fix valves by hand. Energy bills were too high.

The problem grew worse each winter. Rooms were too hot or too cold. People complained. Energy costs kept rising.

The solution came from smart electric control valves with electric actuators. These valves adjusted flow based on need. They talked to the main system. They fixed problems fast.

Results showed fast:

• 23% less energy used
• 45% fewer service calls
• Even heat in all rooms
• Money saved paid for the new system in just 18 months

Conclusion

Actionneurs électriques change how we make things move. They give better control, use less power, and need less care than old ways.

The market grows each year as more places see the good they do. From car makers to green power to smart buildings, these devices make systems work better.

When picking actuators, look at the whole job. Think about force, speed, where they work, and what they must do. And work with experts who know both actuators and the parts they move.

With the right electric actuator, you can fix control problems, save power, and make systems work better for years to come.

About Navarch: With advanced facilities and an expert team, Navarch makes top valves and vannes d'eau intelligentes for heating and water systems. Our 8,000 ton yearly output meets strict quality standards. We focus on saving energy and making systems smarter. Our team helps from picking parts to making whole systems work better together.