Use of electric actuators
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For the manual/automatic clutch handle of electric actuators, if it gets stuck in the manual position, will the motor spin idly when powered, or will it rotate the valve knob along with it? Could this damage the motor or the gears? I can’t figure out how to switch between electric and manual mode using the clutch lever
I’m not sure what the author means by a stuck condition. Under normal circumstances, when the handwheel is in the manual position, the movement of the actuator will cause the handwheel to move as well, and this will not damage the motor or gears. But in the case of a stick, it’s harder to say what will happen.
Thank you for your reply. I wasn’t clear enough – by \"stuck\", I meant that the handle remains in the manual position. In this case, operation in electric mode does not affect the opening and closing of the valve, nor does it damage the motor or gears. It’s just that rotating the handwheel is unsafe. Is that what I meant? Is the reset of that handle controlled by a spring?
Yes, generally the handwheel engages with the gears when pulled out, and it disengages by being pushed in; however, there are also designs with different mechanisms.
What I’m dealing with is a situation where it automatically returns to automatic mode once powered on
It’s the usual electric valve type, with a handwheel in the manual position; it operates electrically, and the handwheel moves along with the actuator. Does the motor drive the valve to open and close, or does it just spin idly?