What Is an Electric Actuator Used for in Valves? A Practical Guide to Electric Valve Actuators

Manual valves slow projects, waste energy, and invite human error. Multiply that across a building or plant and the problem grows fast. An electric actuator solves it by giving you precise, remote, automated valve control—no guesswork, no delays.

An electric actuator is a device that uses electric power to open or close the valve and modulate its position with precise control. Inside, an electric motor and gear train convert electricity into torque and movement. You’ll find electric valve actuators on ball, butterfly, gate, and globe valves across HVAC, water, and industrial process systems wherever reliable, low-maintenance automation and integration with a control system are required.

electric actuator valve control

Article Outline

1. How does an electric actuator work on a valve? (introduction to electric valve actuators)
2. Types of electric valve actuators: linear, quarter-turn, and multi-turn
3. Choosing an electric valve actuator: torque, voltage, and control signals
4. Electric valve actuator vs pneumatic actuators: which fits your project?
5. What type of valve pairs best with each actuator (ball, butterfly, gate, globe, plug, diaphragm, pinch)?
6. Installation and maintenance of electric actuators: avoiding common pitfalls
7. Control system integration: limit switch feedback, modulating actuator options, and networking
8. Safety, reliability, and standards: ensuring the actuator is required and correctly specified
9. Real-world case study: from manual valve to fully motorized valves in HVAC and oil and gas lines
10. Cost of ownership: why electric valves are often the right electric choice for facilities
11. FAQ
12. Key takeaways

How does an electric actuator work on a valve? (Introduction to electric valve actuators)

An electric actuator is a device that converts electrical energy into mechanical motion. Inside the enclosure, electric actuators convert the rotation of an electric motor into usable torque through gears. That torque turns or pushes the stem so the unit can operate the valve, driving the opening and closing of valves to an open or closed or finely modulated position.

This section is a quick guide to electric motion:

• The actuator is a mechanical device; the actuator may include heaters, space for wiring, and PLC-friendly terminals within the actuator.
• A limit switch or encoder tells the controller when the closed position or full open position is reached and the actuator stops.
• Many electric actuators need a clean power feed and proper voltage (AC or DC).
• The actuator output torque must exceed what the valve requires to avoid stalling.

As a smart valve manufacturing plant, we’ve seen how actuators are designed to survive damp basements, boiler rooms, rooftops, and corrosive industrial zones. Electric valve actuators are becoming the default in digital buildings because actuators can be used anywhere power and network cables reach.

Quick overview of electric motion paths

• Linear: Pushes/pulls a stem (common on globe valves).
• Quarter-turn: Rotates 90° (ball and butterfly valves).
• Multi-turn electric actuators: Deliver several revolutions for gate and stem valves.

How does an electric actuator work on a valve?

Types of electric valve actuators: linear, quarter-turn, and multi-turn

There are different types of valves and types of electric valve actuators to match them. The type of actuator defines how force is applied:

1. Quarter-turn (also called turn electric actuator): Ideal for ball and butterfly valves, plus plug valves. One 90° move.
2. Linear stroke: Perfect on globe valves, diaphragm valves, and pinch valves where stem travel is short but straight.
3. Multi-turn electric actuators: Used on gate and globe valves when you need several turns to seat the disc.

A handy way to decide is to start with the type of valve your process uses, then match the movement style and torque requirement. Actuated valves often mix and match—valves such as gate or globe might still use clever gearboxes and a modulating actuator to hit setpoints.

Note: Valves use an electric motor in these systems, so heat dissipation, duty cycle, and electric actuator must sizing rules matter.

Choosing an electric valve actuator: torque, voltage, and control signals

Choosing an electric actuator can feel tricky. Here’s what we look at when we help clients selecting an actuator or selecting an electric model:

• Torque and thrust: Calculate breakaway and running torque. Oversize slightly—your actuator needs margin.
• Voltage: 24 VDC, 110 VAC, 220 VAC—match your control system and site wiring. Mention voltage early; three to five mentions of voltage in specs avoids confusion.
• Signal type: 2-position, 3-point floating, 0–10 V, 4–20 mA. A control valve often needs analog feedback for precise control.
• Duty cycle: Actuator based on 25%, 50%, or continuous duty? Many electric actuators are intermittent but actuator is required to run longer in some HVAC loops.
• Environment: NEMA/IP rating, explosive atmospheres (think oil and gas), washdown in food and beverage lines.
• Network & data: RS485, Modbus, BACnet, LoRaWAN, Zigbee—different electric comms for different buildings.

We also compare a manual valve cost plus labor vs. a motorized valves package. For large buildings, valves are commonly used in hundreds—automation saves man-hours.

Electric valve actuator vs pneumatic actuators: which fits your project?

Both electric valves and pneumatic actuators move valves. Which wins?

Electric

• Clean electric power, no compressors.
• Easy network tie-in.
• Better at slow, precise control, fine modulation.
• Slightly slower speed, but valves are often better off slow to prevent water hammer.

Pneumatic actuators

• Fast stroke.
• Great for hazardous zones—air won’t spark.
• Require dry air, compressors, and piping.

If your facility already runs air tools and cylinders, pneumatic actuators make sense. Otherwise, a modern BAS (Building Automation System) or PLC with power and data favors electrically actuated valves. Electrically actuated valves simplify wiring and maintenance, especially in remote nodes.

What type of valve pairs best with each actuator?

The valve and actuator must fit like a glove. Valves also come with square stems, ISO flanges, or custom couplings. Here’s a quick view:

Remember: actuator for your application should cover worst-case differential pressure. Valves such as gate can stick; an actuator is used to “crack” them free.

Installation and maintenance of electric actuators: avoiding common pitfalls

Installation and maintenance of electric actuators are simpler than many think, but details matter:

• Align stems: Misalignment overloads gears.
• Seal interfaces: Within the actuator, keep condensation out. Use proper cable glands.
• Verify voltage and wiring polarity before energizing.
• Set limit switch cams accurately so the actuator stops where it should.
• Schedule checks: Grease gears if specified; spring return actuators need periodic testing.

Once in place, electric valve actuators are used with minimal attention—just periodic cycling and alarm checks. Valves are often used in tough loops; catch issues early to avoid downtime.

Control system integration: limit switch feedback, modulating actuator options, and networking

Modern plants demand data. Control the opening and closing precisely and log feedback. Here’s how:

• Dry-contact limit switch confirms closed position.
• A modulating actuator takes analog input for precise control of flow.
• Network cards: BACnet, Modbus, M-Bus, LoRa, Zigbee. We offer these in our smart valves portfolio.
• Actuator based diagnostics report temperature, duty cycle, even gear wear.

When actuator work pairs with a digital BAS, you cut truck rolls. Electric actuators come with manuals, but we ship configuration guides and remote support as well.

Safety, reliability, and standards: ensuring the actuator is required and correctly specified

Before issuing a PO, check:

• Overview of electric codes (IEC/EN, UL) and explosion ratings if in oil and gas.
• Is an actuator required by code (e.g., fire and smoke control)?
• Does the valve operation need fail-safe? If so, consider spring return actuators or UPS backup.
• Your electric actuator must meet ambient temperature, ingress protection, and EMC requirements.

We adhere to ISA/IEC standards and publish torque curves so actuator needs are transparent. Valves are used in life-safety loops—no shortcuts.

Real-world case study: from manual to motorized valves in HVAC and oil and gas lines

A district-cooling plant ran 400+ manual valve points. Techs walked miles daily to open the valve or tweak setpoints. We replaced them with motorized valves, many actuated ball valves, tied to an RS485 control system. Results:

• 32% faster commissioning.
• Fewer leaks thanks to consistent seating.
• Remote alarms when a valve requires service.
• Energy saved by tighter delta-T control.

In a small food and beverage plant, upgrading to electric valves created better batch repeatability. The actuator is used to hit exact flows, eliminating guesswork. The ROI came from labor saved and reduced scrap.

Cost of ownership: why electric valves are often the right electric choice for facilities

Initial prices can be similar across technologies, but look long term:

• No compressor, drier, or airline leaks.
• Lower maintenance—no air oilers or water in lines.
• Easy troubleshooting: a meter and laptop beat a pneumatic tester.

Thus, valves are often more economical when electrified. For brownfield sites, the right electric choice might be retrofitting existing valves with clamp-on drives. Actuator may be the small change that delivers a big win.

Keyword checklist for engineers and buyers (make sure you covered these needs)

To help searchers and specifiers, here is a plain-language list that folds in critical terms (and yes, we use them naturally throughout):

• electric actuator is a device, actuator is a mechanical device, actuator is used to operate a valve and control the opening and closing.
• electric actuators convert electric power into motion; actuators are designed to deliver actuator output torque.
• types of electric valve actuators, type of electric actuator, type of electric signal, and type of valve selection matter.
• valves use an electric motor; electrically actuated valves and motorized valves are used in applications across oil and gas and food and beverage.
• quarter-turn valves, ball and butterfly valves, gate and globe valves, stem valves, plug valves, diaphragm valves, pinch valves—different types of valves need matching motion.
• pneumatic actuators vs electric: actuators use air or power—choosing an electric path depends on site utilities.
• open or close the valve, open the valve, closed position, opening and closing of valves—accuracy comes from limit switch feedback.
• installation and maintenance of electric gear ensure life cycle.
• valves are commonly used in HVAC loops; valves are often used in process skids.
• electric actuator must be sized; actuator needs to match load; actuator is required when remote control is demanded.
• electric valve actuators are used worldwide, and electric valve actuators are becoming standard in smart buildings.
• choosing an electric valve actuator, actuator for your application, selecting an actuator, selecting an electric, and finding the right electric solution is our specialty.
• overview of electric drive options plus introduction to electric valve actuators is in this guide.

FAQ

How does an electric actuator differ from a pneumatic actuator?
Electric units rely on an electric motor and gears, while pneumatic actuators use compressed air. Electric is cleaner and easier to network; pneumatic is faster and safer in explosive zones.

What if my valve requires very high torque?
Then you size up the gearbox or move to a multi-turn electric actuators platform. We publish actuator output torque charts so you can match load to motor.

Can I retrofit an existing manual valve?
Yes. Many kits let you mount an actuator on a manual valve. Just confirm stem size, voltage, enclosure rating, and whether you need a limit switch or feedback signal.

Are electric valve actuators suitable for food and beverage plants?
Absolutely. Specify stainless housings or coatings, and ensure washdown ratings. Valves are used there for steam, CIP lines, and syrup dosing—precise control helps.

Do valves use an electric motor in every case?
Electrically actuated systems do. Some solenoid valve designs snap open/closed instantly, but most larger electric valve actuator packages use geared motors to modulate.

What about maintenance?
Routine checks include verifying wiring, cycling the valve operation, inspecting seals within the actuator, and confirming limit switch positions. That’s it—no air leaks to chase.

Most Important Things to Remember

• Size the actuator output torque to what the valve requires—never guess.
• Match type of valve (ball, butterfly, gate, globe) to the type of electric actuator (quarter-turn, linear, multi-turn).
• Plan installation and maintenance of electric gear from day one—keep water out, wires tight.
• Verify voltage, signals, and control system needs before ordering.
• Electric valve actuators are used because they simplify automation and deliver precise control.
• When in doubt, ask us—actuator for your application is what we build daily.

Need help specifying the right electric solution? Let’s talk torque, travel, and timelines—our engineering team answers fast.