Valve and damper actuators: sourcing and engineering support

Source the right actuator for the installed valve

Specify Motion helps source electric and pneumatic valve actuators, with an experienced UK engineering team supporting the requirement from enquiry to delivery and after-sales. Send an existing manufacturer code, a valve schedule or a new application. We can discuss original parts and assess suitable alternatives rather than asking you to choose a product from a headline torque figure alone.

A valve actuator is not a linear positioning actuator. Its enquiry needs the valve movement, torque requirement, output connection, travel and control arrangement. The configurator on this page includes a dedicated valve and damper route so the relevant details can be recorded without translating them into force and stroke.

Electric, smart and pneumatic choices

Electric options can include on/off or modulating control, local operation and configuration-dependent failsafe features. Pneumatic choices require the action, mechanism and available air supply to be considered with the valve duty. A spring-return product and a double-acting product should not be treated as equivalent merely because they fit the same mounting.

The RIFT actuator range includes RAS, RAM and RAL electric products, other electric ranges and pneumatic actuation. The newer RAT-DC platform is described for data-centre cooling. Published options and features vary across generations; request the documentation for the exact order code.

Applications and specification routes

• AI data-centre cooling: valve schedules, cooling packages and control-system requirements.
• Water and wastewater assets: existing valves, access and site power.
• HVAC and ventilation: separate valve duties from damper duties.
• Remote irrigation: the physical valve duty alongside energy and maintenance requirements.

What the supply proposal should identify

Request the actuator model, voltage or air-supply requirement, control, feedback and mounting accessories. Include the quantities and required date. State any environmental, documentation or support requirements before a quotation is issued. The proposal should describe any changes needed to use an alternative and the agreed scope of installation or commissioning support.

Send the valve reference for pricing and sourcing, configure the requirement, or request the current datasheet and drawings.

Where valve and damper actuators are used

What we need to know to specify valve and damper actuators

These are the questions an applications engineer works through first. Approximate answers are fine: ranges narrow the options quickly, and we confirm the details with you.

• Operating torque: Under 30 Nm, 30–100 Nm, 100–600 Nm, Over 600 Nm, Not known
• Valve movement: Quarter turn, Multi-turn, Damper positioning, Not known
• Control: On/off, Modulating, BACnet, Modbus, Not known
• Power-loss requirement: Fail closed, Fail open, Hold position, To be agreed
• Application: Data-centre cooling, Water / wastewater, HVAC, Irrigation, Industrial process

We also ask about the environment (washdown, outdoor, subsea, ATEX, vacuum, shock and EMC), annual quantities and timescale, because these decide whether a standard, modified or custom design is the best fit.

14 series compared

Series from 1 manufacturers, grouped by type. Figures are the highest published for each series. Open a series for the full specification and, for brands outside our supply network, the alternatives that meet or exceed it.

Smart electric valve actuator (6)

Electric valve actuator (4)

Pneumatic valve actuator (4)

Summarised from manufacturers' published data. Always confirm against the current datasheet; an engineer will check the fit before recommending anything.

Brands