How to extend the service life of electric ball valves

Thread Content

　　Electric ball valves are used in various industrial fields; they are primarily employed to shut off or connect the fluid flowing through pipelines, and they can also be used for regulating and controlling fluid flow. They represent a type of pipeline pressure control element in industrial automation processes. Due to the special nature of electric valves, during use the electric actuator is prone to damage to its motor or other components as a result of environmental factors and conditions inside the valve’s piping, which in turn affects the service life of the electric valve. 　　Therefore, proper and correct maintenance can effectively extend the service life of electric ball valves, while also improving work efficiency, reducing downtime, and saving on replacement costs. Maintenance of electric ball valves 1. Electric ball valves should be stored in a dry and well-ventilated area, with both ends of the pipeline sealed off. 2. Electric ball valves that are stored for long periods should be inspected regularly, cleaned of dirt, and coated with rust preventive oil on their working surfaces. 3. After installation, the equipment should be inspected regularly. 4. For an electric ball valve in operation, all valve components should be complete and in good condition. 5. The bolts on the flanges and brackets must not be missing; the threads should be in good condition, with no signs of looseness allowed. 6. The tightening nuts on the handwheel should be tightened promptly if they become loose, to prevent wear at the connection points or loss of the handwheel and nameplate. 7. If the handwheel is lost, it is not allowed to use an adjustable wrench as a substitute; it must be replaced promptly. 8. The filler gland must not be skewed or have no preload clearance. 9. For electric valves in environments prone to contamination by rain, snow, dust, sand, and other pollutants, protective covers should be installed on their valve stems. 10. The scale on the electric ball valve should remain intact, accurate, and clear. 11. The lead seals, caps, pneumatic accessories, etc., of the electric ball valve should be complete and in good condition. The insulation jacket should be free of dents and cracks. 　　Additionally, electric ball valve actuators have specific requirements, namely the ability to limit torque (axial force) as well as the rotation angle. Once the specifications of the electric device are determined, its control torque is also determined. It generally operates within a predetermined time frame, so the motor will not be overloaded. However, overload can occur under the following circumstances: first, a low supply voltage results in insufficient torque, causing the motor to stop rotating; second, the torque limitation mechanism is set incorrectly to a value higher than the torque required for operation, leading to excessive torque and thus the motor stopping; third, intermittent use causes heat to accumulate, exceeding the motor’s allowable temperature rise; fourth, a fault in the circuit of the torque limitation mechanism occurs for some reason, resulting in excessive torque; fifth, an excessively high ambient temperature reduces the motor’s heat capacity. 1. The ambient temperature should be kept within the range of -25°C to 70°C. 2. Explosion-proof electric ball valves should be chosen in several situations, such as unstable current, corrosive environments, flammable and explosive areas, special media, and situations requiring no maintenance for extended periods of time. 3. Since electric motors are relatively complex, they should not be disassembled by oneself in the event of a malfunction to prevent accidents. 4. Under normal circumstances, electric ball valves should not be struck or have objects placed on top of them.