Correct installation method for electric regulating valve
1. Read the operation manual. Before installing the valve, read the instruction manual first. The instruction manual introduces the product and the safety matters and precautions that should be paid attention to before and during installation. Following the guidelines in the manual will help ensure an easy and successful installation.
2. Confirm that the foreign matter in the regulating valve pipe cleaning pipe may damage the sealing surface of the valve or even prevent the movement of the valve core, ball or butterfly plate, causing the valve to fail to close correctly. In order to reduce the possibility of risk situations occurring, all pipes need to be cleaned before installing the valve. Acknowledge that pipeline dirt, metal chips, welding slag and other foreign matter have been removed.
3. Check the pipe flange to ensure a smooth gasket surface. If the valve has threaded ends, apply a high-grade pipe sealant to the male pipe threads. Do not apply sealant to the female threads because excess sealant on the female threads will be squeezed into the valve body. Excess sealant will cause jamming of the valve core or accumulation of dirt, causing the valve to not close properly.
4. Inspect control valves (regulating valves) Although valve manufacturers take certain steps to avoid shipping damage, such damage may still occur and can be discovered and reported before installation. Do not install valves known to have been damaged during shipping and storage. Before installation, check and remove any transportation stoppers, protective plugs or gasket surface covers, and check the inside of the valve body to ensure that there are no foreign objects.
5. Use good pipe connections. In fact, most control valves (regulating valves) can be installed in any position. However, the most common method is to place the actuator vertically and on the upper part of the valve. If horizontal mounting of the actuator is necessary, consider adding an additional vertical support to the actuator. Ensure that the valve body is installed in such a way that the fluid flow is in the direction indicated by the flow arrow or instruction manual.
6. Ensure that the regulating valve leaves sufficient space above and below the valve so that the actuator or valve core can be easily disassembled during inspection and maintenance. The spacing can usually be found from the valve manufacturer’s dimensional drawings. For flanged valve bodies, ensure that the flange surfaces are accurately aligned so that the gasket surfaces are in even contact. After the flanges are centered, lightly tighten the bolts, eventually tightening the bolts in a staggered pattern. Proper tightening avoids uneven gasket loading and helps avoid leaks, as well as the possibility of flange damage or even cracking.
7. When the connecting flange and the valve flange are made of different materials, the preventive measure of fluorine-lined butterfly valve is particularly important. Pressure pipes installed upstream and downstream of the control valve (regulating valve) help to check the flow rate or pressure drop. Connect the pressure impulse pipe to a straight pipe section away from elbows, reductions or expansions. This orientation minimizes inaccuracies due to fluid turbulence. Use 1/4 or 3/8 inch (6-10mm) pipe to connect the pressure port on the actuator to the controller. Keep connection intervals short and minimize the number of fittings and elbows to reduce system time lag. If this distance must be long, a positioner or booster can be used on the control valve (regulator valve).
