Multi-turn modular electric actuator for remote installation and multiple configuration options
It is often the case that electric actuators are ‘hard-wired’ into applications. To install or take them out of service the actuators must be disconnected and then rewired back in by a qualified electrician. This scenario results in logistical and cost implications as the presence of an electrical engineer must be coordinated with that of a mechanical engineer, which can often result in significant time delays.
AUMA Modular Electric Actuator
AUMA’s electric modular-design actuator incorporates ‘Plug & Play technology’. This means, AUMA electric actuators can literally be ‘plugged’ into an application, without the need for disconnecting and re-wiring. This simple, yet extremely effective design differentiates AUMA from competitors, providing a competitive advantage that delivers significant value to design, maintenance & installation engineers. Read on to learn how…
Electric actuators with ‘plug & play’ technology
What does this mean for engineers?
- There is no need to coordinate the activities of a mechanical and an electrical engineer
- The electrical component of the actuator can be wired in ahead of time, suiting the electrical engineers schedule.
- The mechanical engineer then simply needs to ‘plug in’ the electrical connector to the actuator, at a later date.
This ‘plug and play’ technology underpins AUMA’s modular approach to electric actuation – it allows AUMA to offer an adaptable and versatile product offering, suited to the most awkward application configurations.
AUMA Modular Electric Actuators with plug and play technology deliver significant value to end-users. The actuator can be mounted in numerous orientations. This simplifies the design & installation process, as well as simplifying and increasing the safety of routine maintenance and monitoring activities.
Multi-turn Actuators for flexible installation
1. Engineers can change the orientation of the electrical component of the actuator
AUMA’s modular design allows the electrical component of the actuator to be mounted in any one of four 90° rotations.
- This simplifies the installation process; cabling is usually armoured/inflexible and can be very difficult to handle – now engineers can suit the actuator orientation to the cabling run.
- This simplifies the design process as design engineers do not need to be overly concerned about wiring and orientations as this can be decided on installation.
- Simplifies the ‘wiring-in’ of the actuator; the electrical connector of the actuator can accept wiring from the top, bottom, right-hand side or left-hand side and therefore will not need to be adapted.
2. Engineers can change the orientation of the mechanical component of the actuator, in relation to the electrical component.
AUMA’s modular design allows the electrical component of the actuator to be mounted in any one of four 90° rotations, in relation to the mechanical component of the actuator.
- This feature is useful in awkward applications with accessibility difficulties; installation engineers can adapt the actuator to suit the application, rather than having to pre-specify the build orientation of the actuator to suit the application.
- This simplifies design process – design engineers do not need to be overly concerned with access points as the actuator is very flexible at installation stage.
3. The visual display of the actuator can be orientated in any one of four orientations
- This feature is useful for awkward applications as the actuator can be mounted upside-down or sideways, however the visual display can be mounted in the optimum position for visibility.
- This feature increases the safety of applications – it makes monitoring and maintenance activities much easier.
4. The electrical component of the actuator can be installed in a completely separate location to the mechanical component of the actuator.
So for example, if the valve is installed down a pit which is difficult to access, the electrical control and visual display can be installed in a convenient and safe location, whilst the mechanical component operating the valve is installed in the location which is difficult to access.
- This feature may avoid having to commission temporary or permanent gantries to access the actuator controls.
- It increases the safety of the installation, operation and maintenance of the application
- It reduces the cost of maintenance; reduced number of staff and equipment needed for routine monitoring & maintenance activities.
This modular approach to electrical actuation not only saves cost, increases safety and simplifies the design & installation processes as described above; it also allows for more effective project management.
The conventional approach to ordering, wiring, installing and commissioning actuator equipment is sequential. However, with AUMA’s modular electric actuators some of the testing, commissioning & installation of the electrical components can occur in parallel to the ordering, installation and commissioning of the valves and mechanical components of the actuator. This significantly reduces project lead times and streamlines the overall installation process.
AUMA Electric Actuators are installed in plants and manufacturing sites across the whole Process Industry. Read about AUMA Electric Actuators in a pumping application here.
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