EECG Industrial Solutions

Actuators

Multi-Turn vs Part-Turn Electric Actuators: Choosing the Right Valve Automation

Every valve needs the right kind of motion: many turns for gate and globe valves, a quarter turn for butterfly, ball and plug valves. The actuator type follows from the valve.

Oct 20264 min readEECG Engineering Team
Multi-turnPart-turnGearboxesModulating

Multi-turn actuators

Multi-turn actuators turn the valve stem through many revolutions. They operate gate valves, globe valves, sluice gates and other valves with a rising or non-rising stem. AUMA's SA range is a widely used example, covering a broad torque range for open-close and modulating duty.

Part-turn actuators

Part-turn actuators move the valve through about 90°. They operate butterfly, ball and plug valves and dampers. AUMA's SQ range is designed for this duty. For higher torques, a multi-turn actuator is combined with a part-turn worm gearbox (for example AUMA SA with GS).

Comparison

Multi-turnPart-turn
Valve typesGate, globe, sluice gatesButterfly, ball, plug, dampers
MovementMany revolutionsAbout 90°
Sizing dataTorque, thrust, stem details, number of turns, operating timeTorque, swing angle, operating time
High-torque optionBevel or spur gearboxesMulti-turn actuator + part-turn gearbox

Open-close or modulating?

Open-close (isolating) actuators run the valve fully open or closed a few times per hour. Modulating actuators position the valve continuously in response to a control signal and are built for many starts per hour. Specify the duty correctly — a modulating application needs a modulating-rated actuator.

Integral controls

Actuator controls such as AUMA AC and AM handle motor switching, limit and torque monitoring and the interface to the control system (hardwired, 4–20 mA, PROFIBUS, Modbus and others). Integral controls simplify wiring compared with separate MCC-based control.

What to specify

Frequently asked questions

Can an existing manual valve be automated?

Usually yes, with the right mounting adaptation and actuator sizing. We need valve make, size, type and torque data.

Electric or pneumatic?

See our comparison of electric and pneumatic actuators; the choice depends on available utilities, speed, fail-safe needs and the site.

Browse AUMA products at EECG

EECG is an authorised channel partner for AUMA in Central India, with supply, installation and service support from our Raipur team.

AUMA range → Search our catalogue for “electric actuator” →

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