What’s wrong with your actuator?
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What’s wrong with your actuator?

By June 17, 2019 No Comments
 
 
 
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We always get questions from customers and one of the common questions is “Why the actuator is not functioning?” Besides having instrumentation and valves maintenance, PCE does also provide actuator maintenance services to our customers. Malfunction of actuators always depends on the type, systems and many other reasons that cause it isn’t working. In order to have a better understanding, here is a list of reason why your actuator doesn’t perform properly. 

BOTH PNEUMATIC ROTARY AND PNEUMATIC CYLINDER ACTUATORS 

  1. The valve is binding. 
  2. The motive pressure is incorrect. 
  3. The solenoid voltage is incorrect. 
  4. The solenoid ports are plugged.

PNEUMATIC ROTARY ACTUATORS
The system leakage in front of the actuator is not allowing the minimum SCFM (standard cubic feet per minute) for operation. 

  1. The system or actuator filter is blocked or clogged. 
  2. The actuator ports are plugged with contaminants. 
  3. The speed controls are closed. 
  4. There is too much condensation. 
  5. The spring return units have broken springs. 
  6. There are problems with the seals. 
  7. The actuators are undersized.

PNEUMATIC CYLINDER ACTUATORS 

  1. Air is leaking at the piston guide bushings. 
  2. There is increased thrust due to valve issues. 
  3. There is excessive side loading in rotary applications. 
  4. The piston seals are leaking. 
  5. Electric, or motor-operated-valve (MOV), actuators 

ELECTRICAL ISSUES 

  1. The power voltage isn’t correct. 
  2. The control voltage isn’t correct. 
  3. The fuse has blown. 
  4. There is a power board failure. 
  5. The wire has become fused or disconnected. 
  6. The thermal overload is engaged. 
  7. The power phasing is incorrect. 
  8. The limit switch is not set correctly. 
  9. The quick disconnect harness is loose.
     

MECHANICAL ISSUES 

  1. There are problems with the valve binding or the stem. 
  2. There are problems with the drive nut. 
  3. The centre column gear is stripped. 
  4. The motor pinion/worm gear is stripped. 
  5. The torque switch is engaged. 
  6. The handwheel declutch has failed. 
  7. The valve and the actuator aren’t in the same orientation. 
  8. The key is not installed. 
  9. There are shipping plugs in the gas supply, exhaust ports, or tubing connected to the gas hydraulic tanks. 
  10. The power gas pressure is too low. 
  11. The speed controls are closed. 
  12. The valve is stuck. 
  13. The hydraulic fluid level is too low. 
  14. The hand pump has failed. 
  15. The actuator seals have failed. 

This preventative maintenance guide can help to keep your actuators in good condition before you start dismantling apart your actuators. If it still not working, do contact us for on-ground support and maintenance service to minimize your risk and plant downtime. 

For more information, you may find out from Our Services. 

 

Source: https://alliedvalveinc.com/the-valve-expert/40-reasons-actuator-isnt-working/ 

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