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TECHNICAL SELECTION GUIDE
How to Select Electric and Pneumatic Valve Actuators
Actuator selection combines valve torque or thrust, motion, travel time, modulation, available utility, fail position and environmental conditions.
Direct answer
Actuator selection combines valve torque or thrust, motion, travel time, modulation, available utility, fail position and environmental conditions.
Technical review: MDES Engineering Technical TeamUpdated: 2026-10-25
Valve torque and safety margin
Use break, running and closing torque at maximum differential pressure. Apply an appropriate margin for seat adhesion, ageing, temperature and process deposits rather than selecting on nominal torque alone.
Electric or pneumatic
Electric actuators suit sites without instrument air and duties that accept slower travel. Pneumatic actuators favour rapid cycling, simple spring-return fail action and frequent operation.
Control and safety function
Define on-off or modulating duty, signal, positioner, switches, solenoid, manual override and feedback. State whether the valve must fail open, fail closed or remain in place.
Environment and certification
Specify IP protection, ambient temperature, corrosion, vibration and any ATEX/IECEx area. Verify mounting interface, rotation and travel.
Actuator comparison
| Criterion | Electric | Pneumatic |
|---|---|---|
| Utility | Electrical supply | Compressed air |
| Speed | Normally slower | Fast travel available |
| Fail action | Battery/spring/capacitor option | Spring return common |
| Control | On-off or modulating | On-off or positioned |
Key points
- Use torque at maximum differential pressure.
- Define the fail position.
- State cycle frequency and travel time.
- Specify IP, corrosion and hazardous-area requirements.
Frequently asked technical questions
Is valve DN enough to size an actuator?
No. Torque, differential pressure, seat, temperature and safety margin are required.
Is a pneumatic actuator always faster?
It is often fast, but air pressure, solenoid and flow capacity determine travel time.
What does fail-safe mean?
The valve moves to the project-defined safe position when power or air is lost.
What is needed for modulation?
Duty rating, signal, feedback and required positioning accuracy must be defined.
Technical references
- Emerson Control Valve Handbook
- IEC 60534 control-valve applications
- Manufacturer valve-torque and actuator-capacity data
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